Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
The Plane Switching Widget shown left with the left side highlight-
ed in blue indicates that the left plane (grid)
is active; click on a side of the cube with one
of the perspective tools (or press 1, 2, or 3 on
your keyboard) to activate a different plane
(second and third widget); click the area out-
side the cube within the widget (or press 4)
to deactivate perspective mode, which allows
you to draw normally (widget at far right).
Once you choose an active plane, you can use any drawing or editing tool to draw in
perspective mode. Select a tool such as the Rectangle tool and begin drawing on the
grid. Use the Perspective Selection tool (hidden under the Perspective Grid tool in
the Tools panel) to select and move art within an active plane (the cursor also has a
line and an arrow, indicating the active plane). When you move objects within your
plane using this tool, your objects appear to recede and advance within the
perspective grid (using the normal Selection tool freezes an object's shape to the
current viewpoint; it won't continue to transform as you move it). You can also use
the Perspective Selection tool to select existing vector objects and attach them to the
perspective grid. To do so, activate a plane then select and drag the object to the
perspective grid. When you use the Perspective Grid tool to select an object that's
already associated with the grid, the associated side of the cube automatically
becomes highlighted.
Draw normally first...
Create text and symbols normally first, then use the Perspective Selection tool to
attach them to an active plane and modify text using Object> Perspective> Edit Text.
Clicking in the area outside the cube within the widget (or pressing 4) deactivates all
perspective planes so you can draw in normal mode (no perspective applied)—see
figures opposite. Once your object is created, use the Perspective Selection tool (or
press 1, 2, or 3) to activate a plane by clicking on a Widget side, and then drag the
object to position it in perspective. You can also marquee-select multiple objects with
the Perspective Selection tool, then drag them (together) into the active plane.
If you wish to move an object perpendicular to its current location, hold down the 5
key (top row of numbers on keyboard only, not 5 on right numeric keypad) as you
drag with the Perspective Selection tool; to duplicate an object and move it
perpendicular to the original's position, hold Option-5/Alt-5 as you drag.
