Describing the Draw Tools

Introducing the Draw Tools

Below are descriptions for each of the tools provided on the floating Draw Tools toolbar. All the objects drawn with these tools are vector graphics.

Note:
Whichever tool you decide to use, you add it to the page in the same way – Using the Draw Tool.

Straight Lines and Shapes

$image\Icon_Tool_Draw_Line.jpg$

This tool lets you draw straight lines between two or more points. If you continue to move the mouse and click the left mouse button you can create a straight-sided shape. If you then return to the beginning and click near to the starting point, Opus will ask you if you want to close the polygon, thus turning a straight line into an object.

$image\Vector_Example_Lines.jpg$

Note:
If you hold down the Shift key when using this tool your drawing will be snapped to the grid for that page if the grid is not turned on. This is particularly useful for ensuring that straight lines are level.

Click with the right mouse button to stop drawing the line.

Preset Shapes

In the case of the remaining tools, the actual object you draw can be chosen from a number of preset styles. The outline and fill colour are the same as the currently selected colours in the colour well of the Colour Palette. Below is a description for each of the Preset Shapes.

Square and Rectangle

$image\Icon_Tool_Draw_Rect.jpg$

This tool allows you to create squares and rectangles and rounded rectangles. The drop down list allows you to choose between standard rectangles and those with rounded corners.

To draw with the tool simply select the style you require from the drop down palette. Move the mouse to where you want the top left corner of the object to be. Click and hold down the left mouse button and then drag the mouse away from the start point to create the object.

$image\Vector_Example_Rect.jpg$

When the object is the required size and shape release the mouse button to finish drawing.

Note:
To draw a square rather than a rectangle simply hold down the Alt key while you draw. You can use the Alt key similarly to maintain the proportions of any vector object.

As with all vector objects, if you hold down the Shift key when you begin using this tool your drawing will be snapped to the grid for that page if the grid is not turned on or will ignore the grid if it is on.

As with all vector objects, if you hold down the Ctrl key while drawing, the tool will use your starting point as the centre of the object rather than the top left corner. This can be particularly useful where you wish to draw a shape around an existing object.

Rounded Squares and Rectangle

$image\Icon_Tool_Draw_Round_Rect.jpg$

This tool allows you to create squares and rectangles with rounded edges. In every other way it is the same as the Square and Rectangle tool described above.

Curved Shapes

$image\Icon_Tool_Draw_Curved.jpg$

This tool works in the same way as the preceding tool except that it will draw circles or other curved shapes. Click on the down button to list the curved shapes you can draw.

Note:
When drawing Animation Paths this tool also provides a series of curves.

To draw circles, hold down the Alt key while you draw.

The Shift key and Ctrl key have the same affect as with the Square tool described above.

Regular Polygon

$image\Icon_Tool_Draw_RegPoly.jpg$

This tool offers a wider range of shapes allowing you to draw:

$image\Dropdown_RegPoly.jpg$

triangles

pentagons (5 sides)

hexagons (6 sides)

heptagons (7 sides)

octagons (8 sides)

nonagons (9 sides)

decagons (10 sides).

Note:
The Shift key, Alt key and Ctrl key have the same affect as with the Square tool described above.

Star

$image\Icon_Tool_Draw_Star.jpg$

This tool lets you draw stars with various numbers of points. To create irregular stars you should then edit the individual points as required.

Note:
The Shift key, Alt key and Ctrl key have the same affect as with the Square tool described above.

AutoShapes

$image\Icon_Tool_Draw_Clipart.jpg$

The final tool in this section works as the previous tools but provides a selection of vector drawings you can add to your publication. Below is a sample illustration of the type of Auto Shapes provided:

$image\Dropdown_Clipart.jpg$