Drawing lines
You can draw straight lines, freeform lines, and line segments. You can edit the nodes in a line to create curves.
You can also adjust the line options of existing vector objects.
To draw a line segment
1
On the Tools toolbar, choose the
Pen tool
.
Note: If you want to place the line segment on the current vector layer, mark the
Create on Vector check box on the Tool Options palette.
If no vector layer exists, marking this check box creates one for the line segment. If this check box is unmarked, the line segment is placed on a raster layer. Placing a line segment on a vector layer makes it easier to edit.
2
On the Materials palette, click the
Foreground and Stroke properties box, and choose a color for the outline.
3
If you are drawing connected line segments and you want to apply a fill, click the
Background and Fill properties box, and choose a color for the text fill. If you do not want the line segments to have a fill, click the
Transparent button
.
Note: If you are drawing a single, unconnected line segment, it is not necessary to choose settings from the
Background and Fill properties box.
4
On the Tool Options palette, click the
Draw Lines and Polylines button
.
5
Choose a line style from the
Line Style drop-list.
6
Type or set a line width (in pixels) value in the
Width control.
7
Drag in the image window to create the line.
8
On the Tool Options palette, click the
Apply button
.
|
|
View the object’s nodes while drawing
|
Mark the Show Nodes check box.
|
Smooth the appearance of the line
|
Mark the Anti-alias check box.
|
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Select an option from the Join drop-list. If you select Miter Join, you can type or set a value in the Miter limit control to set the degree of pointedness.
|
Create a vertical, horizontal, or 45-degree line
|
Hold down Shift while dragging.
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Connect each line segment
|
Mark the Connect Segments check box.
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You can save your settings in the Tool Options palette settings for subsequent use. For more information about saving settings as presets, see Using and creating presets.
To draw a curved or straight line
1
On the Tools toolbar, choose the
Pen tool
.
2
On the Tool Options palette, click the
Draw Point to Point button
.
3
Drag in the image window to create the line.
4
Do one of the following:
•
To create a straight line, click where you want the next node.
•
To create a curved line, click and drag. When the curve is the right shape, release the mouse button.
If you want to draw lines at fixed angles (45 degree increments), hold down
Shift as you drag.
To draw a free-form line
1
On the Tools toolbar, choose the
Pen tool
.
2
On the Tool Options palette, click the
Draw Freehand button
.
3
Drag in the image window to create the line.
To draw line segments
1
On the Tools toolbar, choose the
Pen tool
.
2
On the Tool Options palette, click the
Draw Line and Polylines button
.
3
Drag in the image window to create the line.