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Draw Guide 7.1

Chapter 3
Working with Objects

Copyright

This document is Copyright © 2021 by the LibreOffice Documentation Team. Contributors are listed below. This document maybe distributed and/or modified under the terms of either the GNU General Public License (https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html), version 3 or later, or the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), version 4.0 or later.

All trademarks within this guide belong to their legitimate owners.

Contributors

To this edition.

Peter Schofield

Dave Barton

Elzett Kotze

To previous editions.

Martin Fox

Jean Hollis Weber

John A Smith

Peter Schofield

Claire Wood

 

Feedback

Please direct any comments or suggestions about this document to the Documentation Team’s mailing list: documentation@global.libreoffice.org

Note

Everything sent to a mailing list, including email addresses and any other personal information that is written in the message, is publicly archived and cannot be deleted.

Publication date and software version

Published July 2021. Based on LibreOffice 7.1 Community. Other versions of LibreOffice may differ in appearance and functionality.

Using LibreOffice on macOS

Some keystrokes and menu items are different on macOS from those used in Windows and Linux. The table below gives some common substitutions for the instructions in this document. For a detailed list, see the application Help.

Windows or Linux

macOS equivalent

Effect

Tools > Options
menu selection

LibreOffice > Preferences

Access setup options

Right-click

Control +click and/or right-click depending on computer setup

Open a context menu

Ctrl (Control)

(Command)

Used with other keys

F11

+T

Open the Styles deck in the Sidebar

Introduction

This chapter looks at the tools and functions to modify existing drawings. All of the functions apply to a selected object or a group of selected objects, which can be distinguished by selection handles on a rectangular frame that is large enough to contain the object. Where several objects are selected, the frame around the objects corresponds to the smallest rectangle that can contain all of the objects. This frame is called the selection rectangle.

Note

The color and shape of the selection handles changes depending on the tool and function that has been selected to change the object properties. The color of the selection handles also depends on the computer operating system and how the computer has been set up.

Selecting objects

Direct selection

The easiest way to select an object is to click directly on it. For objects that are not filled, click on the object border to select it. To select more than one object, hold the Shift key down while clicking on objects. To deselect an object, move the cursor into a blank space on the drawing and click.

Selection by framing

Several objects can be selected at once by clicking and dragging the cursor around the objects drawing a selection rectangle around the objects. Only objects that lie entirely within this selection rectangle are selected. To select multiple objects by framing, Select on the Drawing toolbar must be active, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Drawing toolbar

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Note

When a cursor is dragged to select multiple objects, the selection rectangle being created is also known as a marquee.

Selecting hidden objects

If objects are located behind others and not visible, they can still be selected. When a hidden object is selected, its selection handles appear through the objects covering it.

Arranging objects

In a complex drawing, several objects may be stacked on top of one another. This stacking order can be rearranged by moving an object forward or backward using one of the following methods:

Figure 2: Line and Filling toolbar

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Note

The Line and Filling toolbar is not visible in the default installation of LibreOffice. To make this toolbar visible, go to View > Toolbars > Line and Filling on the Menu bar.

Positioning and adjusting objects

Using zoom

To help in the positioning and adjustment of objects, Draw has a zoom function that reduces or enlarges the screen display of the current drawing. For example, zoom in to position objects on a drawing with greater accuracy; zoom out to see the complete drawing. Zooming is controlled using the Status Bar, Zoom & View Layout dialog, or ZoomI toolbar.

Note

Zooming is handled differently in Linux and Windows operating systems. A drawing saved with a 100% zoom factor in Windows is displayed at a larger zoom factor in Linux.

Figure 3: Zoom controls on Status Bar

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Figure 4: Zoom & View Layout dialog

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Status bar

The zoom controls are located on the right side of the Status Bar (Figure 3) and these controls give quick and easy access to zooming.

Zoom & View Layout dialog

The Zoom & View Layout dialog provides the following options to control how a drawing is viewed on a monitor.

Zoom toolbar

Go to View > Toolbars > Zoom on the Menu bar to open the Zoom toolbar (Figure 5). The tools available on this toolbar, from left to right, are as follows:

Figure 5: Zoom toolbar

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Figure 6: Left end of Status Bar when working with objects

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Moving and adjusting object size

When moving an object or changing its size, check the left-hand area of the Status Bar at the bottom of the Workspace (Figure 6). From left to right, this area shows that a shape is selected, its position on the drawing in X/Y coordinates and dimensions of the object. The measurement units are those selected in Tools > Options > LibreOffice Draw > General.

Moving objects

To move an object (or a group of objects), select it and then click and drag within the object borders. During movement, a ghost image of the object appears to help with repositioning (Figure 7). When the object reaches its new location, release the mouse button.

Adjusting object size

To change the size of a selected object (or a group of selected objects), move the mouse cursor to one of the selection handles. The cursor changes shape to indicate the direction of movement for that selection handle. As the object size changes, a ghosted outline of the object appears (Figure 8). When the desired size of the object is reached, release the mouse button.

The results depend on which selection handle is used. To resize an object along one axis, use a side, top, or bottom handle. To resize along both axes, use a corner handle.

Note

Press and hold the Shift key while resizing an object, the change in size will be carried out symmetrically with respect to the object width and height so that the aspect ratio of the object remains the same. This Shift key behavior works on all selection handles.

Figure 7: Moving objects

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Figure 8: Adjusting object size

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Figure 9: Modifying arcs

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Modifying arcs

The size of an arc can be changed by adjusting the positions of the start and end points of an arc. Select an arc, then right click on the arc and select Points from the drop down menu or press the F8 key. Two handles appear at the start and end of the arc (Figure 9). Click on one of these handles and drag it to a new position to change the shape of the arc.

Rotating and slanting objects

Rotating objects

To rotate an object (or a group of objects), select the object, then go to rotation mode using one of the following methods.

1)  Select or click on an object

2)  Use one of the following methods to switch to rotation mode. The selection handles change shape and color and a center of rotation indicator appears in the center of the object, as shown in Figure 10.

Figure 10: Rotating objects

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Figure 11: Transformations toolbar

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3)  Move the cursor over the handles and the cursor changes shape. The corner handles are for rotating the object, and the top, bottom and side handles are to shear or slant the object.

Note

The rotation center is normally located at the center of an object. To change the position of the rotation center, click on the rotation center and drag until it is at the desired position. This rotation center can even be outside of the object.

Note

Rotation works in a slightly different way for 3D objects because it occurs in a three dimensional space and not in a single plane. See Chapter 7, Working with 3D Objects for more information.

Slanting objects

To slant an object, select the object and switch on rotation mode (see “Rotating objects” above). Click on the handles located at the midpoints on the top, bottom and sides of a selected object. The cursor changes shape when it hovers over one of these midpoint handles indicating the direction of slanting.

The axis used for slanting an object is the object edge directly opposite the midpoint handle being used to slant the object. This axis stays fixed in location while the other sides of the object move in relation to it as the selection is dragged (Figure 12). Click and drag the cursor to slant the object. A ghosted outline of the object being slanted appears and the current angle of slanting is shown in the status bar.

Note

Press and hold the Shift key while rotating or slanting an object, movement is restricted to 15°. This is the default behavior of the Shift key. However, if When creating or moving objects has been selected in Tools > Options > LibreOffice Draw > Grid, the action of the Shift key is reversed and rotation or slanting is restricted to 15° of movement unless the Shift key is pressed.

Figure 12: Slanting objects

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Figure 13: Position and Size dialog

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Setting exact position, size, rotation and slant

Using the mouse to position and resize objects is not exact. If greater accuracy is required to position and size an object, it is recommended to use the Position and Size dialog (Figure 13) or the Position and Size section (Figure 14) in the Properties deck on the Sidebar.

The options available in the Position and Size dialog and Position and Size section in the Properties deck on the Sidebar are similar. However, on the Sidebar, the position and size of an object cannot be protected, or an object adapted to fit any text, or set the base point position for position and size.

Figure 14: Position and Size section in Properties deck on Sidebar

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Position and Size

The units of measurement used for X//Y coordinates and the width and height of the object are set by going to Tools > Options > LibreOffice Draw > General.

The default location of the base points for position and size is the upper left corner of the drawing area. This base point can be temporarily change to make positioning or dimensioning simpler by clicking on a position corresponding to the location of the base point required. This change in base point is only valid for single use and the base point is reset to the standard position of top left corner when the Position and Size dialog is closed.

Figure 15: Position and Size dialog - Rotation page

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Rotating objects

To accurately rotate an object, click on the Rotation tab of the Position and Size dialog (Figure 15). The options available allow the rotation angle and the location of the pivot point to be defined. Alternatively, use the available options for rotation in the Position and Size section in the Properties deck on the Sidebar.

Slant and corner radius

To accurately set the corner radius or slant angle of an object, click on the Slant & Corner Radius tab of the Position and Size dialog (Figure 16). Options for slant and corner radius are only available in the Position and Size dialog.

Figure 16: Position and Size dialog - Slant & Corner Radius page

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Note

To set the Corner Radius, rectangles and squares available on the Legacy Rectangles have to be used. This toolbar is optional and is opened by going to View > Toolbars > Legacy Rectangles on the Menu bar.

Using grid and snap functions

In Draw, objects can be positioned accurately and consistently using grid points, snap points and lines, object frames, individual points on objects, or page edges. This function is known as Snap.

It is easier to use snap functions at the highest practical zoom value for a drawing. Two different snap functions can be used at the same time. For example, snapping to a guide line and the page edge. However, it is recommended to activate only those snap functions that are really required.

Figure 17: Options LibreOffice Draw Grid dialog

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Figure 18: Options toolbar

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Configuring grid and snap functions

To configure the grid and snap functions in a drawing, go to Tools > Options > LibreOffice Draw > Grid on the Menu bar to display the Grid dialog (Figure 17). The grid and snap functions can also be displayed and switched on or off using this dialog, right-clicking on a drawing and using the options in the context menu, or using the icons in the Options toolbar (Figure 18). If the Options toolbar is not open, go to View > Toolbars > Options on the Menu bar.

Snap to grid

Using Snap to Grid

Using Snap to Grid moves an object exactly onto a grid point in a drawing. This function can be switched on and off using one of the following methods:

Displaying grid

Displaying or turning off the grid in a drawing is done using one of the following methods:

Changing color of grid points

By default and depending on the display and computer setup, the grid points are gray and are not always easy to see. To change the color of the grid points, go to Tools > Options > LibreOffice > Application Colors to open the Application Colors dialog (Figure 19). In the Drawing/Presentation section, select a more suitable color for the grid from the drop-down list.

Snap points and lines

Unlike the grid, snap lines and snap points can be inserted when to position an object to a specific position on a drawing. Snap lines can either be horizontally or vertically and appear as dashed lines. Snap points appear as small crosses with dashed lines. Snap points and snap lines do not appear in printed output.

Figure 19: Options LibreOffice Application Colors dialog

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Figure 20: New Snap Object dialog

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Inserting snap points and snap lines

To insert a snap point or snap line, go to Insert > Snap Guide on the Menu bar to open the New Snap Object dialog (Figure 20).

Displaying snap points and lines

Displaying or turning off snap points and lines in a drawing can be done using one of these methods:

Editing snap points and lines

To edit a snap point, right-click on the snap point and select Edit Snap Point from the context menu to open the Edit Snap Point dialog (Figure 21). Enter new X and Y coordinate settings for the snap point and click OK. Alternatively, drag a snap point to a new position on a drawing.

To edit a snap line, right-click on the snap line and select Edit Snap Line from the context menu to open the Edit Snap Line dialog (Figure 22). Enter a new X coordinate setting for vertical snap lines or a new Y coordinate setting for horizontal snap lines and click OK. Alternatively, drag a snap line to a new position on a drawing.

Figure 21: Edit Snap Point dialog

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Figure 22: Edit Snap Line dialog

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Deleting snap points and lines

To delete a snap point, drag it back to a ruler or right-click on the snap point and select Delete Snap Point from the context menu. To delete a snap line, drag it back to the ruler or right-click on the snap line and select Delete Snap Line from the context menu.

Configuring snap range

To configure the snap range of when an object snaps to position

1)  Go to Tools > Options > LibreOffice Draw > Grid on the Menu bar to open the Options LibreOffice Grid dialog.

2)  Enter the number of pixels to set the proximity of when the object will snap into position in the Snap range box. The default setting is 5 pixels.

3)  Click OK to set the new snap range and close the dialog.

Figure 23: Helplines while moving

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Figure 24: Options LibreOffice Draw View dialog

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Using Helplines

Helplines are a function in Draw to help in positioning of objects. Helplines can be displayed while the object is being moved. They extend from the edges of the object to the rulers at the top and left side of a drawing and do not have a snap function (Figure 23).

To use guide lines, go to Tools > Options > LibreOffice Draw > View on the Menu bar to open the Options LibreOffice Draw View dialog (Figure 24) and select Helplines when moving option or click Helplines While Moving in the Options toolbar.

Changing object shape

Regular shapes

When drawing certain regular shapes, one or more dots are displayed in a different color to the selection handles when an object is selected. When the cursor hovers over one of these dots, it changes shape. Clicking and dragging on one of these dots modifies the shape of the object. For example, increasing the corner radius of a rounded rectangle or square, changes the angles of an arc, and so on.

These dots perform different functions according to the shape selected. The shapes with form changing dots and their functions are listed in the following sections.

Note

Regular shapes can also be changed after conversion to a curve or polygon and editing the points. See “Curves and polygons”  below and “Editing points”  below for more information.

Basic shapes

Figure 25: Basic Shapes sub-toolbar

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Refer to Figure 25 to identify the following shapes with adjustment dots.

Symbol Shapes

Figure 26: Symbol Shapes sub-toolbar

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Refer to Figure 26 to identify the following shapes with adjustment dots.

Block Arrows

Figure 27: Block Arrows sub-toolbar

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Refer to Figure 27 to identify the following shapes with adjustment dots.

Callouts

Figure 28: Callouts sub‑toolbar

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For all callouts (Figure 28) use the adjustment dots to change the length, position and angle of the pointer.

Stars and Banners

Figure 29: Stars and Banners sub-toolbar

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Refer to Figure 29 to identify the following shapes with adjustment dots.

Curves and polygons

Bézier curves

The editing of curves and polygons depends on the mathematics of Bézier curves. Explaining Bézier curves goes beyond this scope of this chapter. See Chapter 11, Advanced Draw Techniques for more information on drawing and manipulating Bézier curves.

1 Bézier curves were invented by Pierre Bézier, who developed the technique in the 1960s and was an engineer working with the Renault car manufacturer. The technology was intended to make modeling the surface of vehicles easier.

The editing a Bézier curve consists in principle of moving points or tangents passing through these points. Each tangent has one control point at each end and a junction point where it meets the curve. The relative angle and distance between the control points determine the shape of the curve. Figure 30 shows what happens to a basic square and changing only one point on the square.

Figure 30: Creating different shapes by changing the tangent

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Converting objects to curve or polygon

When changing the shape of an object and before modifying the points on an object, it must be converted to a curve or a polygon. Depending on what kind of shape and effect required to produce using one of the following methods to create a curve or a polygon:

Editing points

Many different shapes can be created by moving either the point itself, or one or both of the round handle points at either end of the tangent, as shown in Figure 30. Points can be added, deleted, or the points type changed using the tools available on the Edit Points toolbar (Figure 31). After converting a shape to a curve or polygon, object points are edited as follows:

Figure 31: Edit Points toolbar

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1)  Select the object and switch to points editing mode using one of the following methods.

Note

After switching to points editing mode, the selection handles become points. The number of points may increase or reduce in number. This change in number depends on the shape of the object and is normal behavior.

2)  Click on an object point to change the object shape. The Edits Points toolbar opens and the tools become active when a point is selected. Tangents also appear attached to the selected point.

3)  Use the various tools on the Edit Points toolbar to add, delete, or change the point type.

4)  Click on and drag the point to move the point and change the object shape.

5)  If the selected object is a curve, click on and drag the round points at the end of a tangent to make further changes to the object shape.

6)  When satisfied with the shape, click outside of the object to cancel points editing mode and close the Edit Points toolbar.

Point types

The available tools on the Edit Points toolbar depend on the object and type of object point that has been selected.

If a section of the curve is a straight line, the end points of the line have a maximum of one control point each. They cannot be modified to round points unless the straight line is converted back to a curve.

To create a corner point, a smooth or a symmetrical point must be inserted first and then converted to a corner point by clicking on Corner Point.

Tangents

Before using tangents on an object, the object must be converted to a curve. Tangents are only used on curves. If an object has been converted to a polygon and a tangent is added, the object is automatically converted to a curve.

Note

The angle that a tangent relates to an object shape can be changed by clicking on one of the tangent control points at the end of a tangent and moving it with the cursor. As the tangent angle is changed, the shape of the object changes in response.

Symmetric transition

Symmetric transition converts a corner point or a smooth point into a symmetrical point. The tangents have the same length and are aligned in a straight line, as shown in Figure 32. The tangents can only be moved simultaneously and the degree of curvature is the same in both directions.

1)  Convert the object to a curve or polygon.

2)  Switch the selected object into editing points mode and open the Edit Points toolbar.

3)  Select the point to be changed to a symmetrical point.

Figure 32: Symmetric transition

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4)  Click on Symmetric Transition in the Edit Points toolbar. The straight line on each side of the symmetric transition point is converted to a curve.

5)  Click and drag one of the tangent control handles to change the curvature and shape of the object. Any change to one tangent is carried over symmetrically to the other tangent.

Smooth transition

Smooth transition converts a corner point or symmetrical point into a smooth point. The tangents are aligned in a straight line and can only be moved simultaneously. The tangents can have different lengths with the curvature controlled by the longest tangent being the largest curvature, as shown in Figure 33.

Figure 33: Smooth transition

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1)  Convert the object to a curve or polygon.

2)  Switch the selected object into editing points mode and open the Edit Points toolbar.

3)  Select the point to be changed to a symmetrical point.

4)  Click on Smooth Transition on the Edit Points toolbar.

5)  Click and drag one of the tangent control handles to change the shape of the object. This creates an asymmetric tangent with the largest curvature on the longest side of the tangent.

Corner point

Converts a selected point or points into corner points. Corner points have two movable control points, which are independent from each other. It is possible to independently change the angle on each side of a tangent using the central point of the tangent as a corner point, as shown in Figure 34.

Figure 34: Corner point

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1)  Convert the object to a curve or polygon.

2)  Switch the selected object into editing points mode and open the Edit Points toolbar.

3)  Select the point to be changed to a symmetrical point.

4)  Click on Corner Point on the Edit Points toolbar.

5)  Click and drag the end of one of the tangents to change its angle. Each tangent can be moved independently to create spikes and troughs in an object shape.

Points

Moving points

When moving points, the object border on both sides of the point follows the movement of the point changing the object shape.

1)  Convert the object to a curve or a polygon,.

2)  Switch the selected object into editing points mode and open the Edit Points toolbar.

3)  Select the point to be changed to a symmetrical point.

4)  Click on Move Points on the Edit Points toolbar.

5)  Place the cursor on the selected point, then click and drag the point to create a new shape. Figure 35 illustrates how a different shape can be created from a circle by dragging the left hand side point to the left.

Figure 35: Moving points

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Inserting points

A point is inserted onto the selected object each time the mouse button is clicked. Clicking inside the border of the object, the object changes shape to include the new point into the border of the object, as shown in Figure 36. The inserted point is a smooth point.

Points can also be moved in insert point mode. Hover the cursor over the point until it changes shape, then click and drag the point to change the object shape.

Figure 36: Inserting points

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1)  Convert the object to a curve or a polygon.

2)  Switch the selected object into editing points mode and open the Edit Points toolbar.

3)  Click on Insert Points on the Edit Points toolbar.

4)  Click on the object border to insert a point at the required position on the border.

5)  Alternatively, click inside the object border to insert a point. The object automatically changes shape to include the new point into the object border.

Deleting points

Figure 37 shows what happens when three points on the left were deleted from a circle. The left image is a the full circle and the right image is where three points have been deleted creating a new shape.

Figure 37: Deleting points

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1)  Convert the object to a curve or a polygon.

2)  Switch the selected object into editing points mode and open the Edit Points toolbar.

3)  To delete a single point, proceed as follows

a)  Select the point for deletion.

b)  Click on Delete Points on the Edit Points toolbar.

4)  To delete several points at the same time, proceed as follows:

a)  Hold down the Shift key.

b)  Select all the points for deletion.

c)  Click on Delete Points on the Edit Points toolbar

Eliminating points

The Eliminate Points tool on the Edit Points toolbar only functions on lines with multiple points. These lines are created when a curve is converted to a line using the Convert to Curve tool. An example of creating a straight line and eliminating points is shown in Figure 38.

Figure 38: Converting curve to line and eliminating points

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1)  Convert the curve to a curve or a polygon.

2)  Switch the curve into editing points mode and open the Edit Points toolbar.

3)  Select the curve with multiple points and convert to a line, see “Converting curves or lines” below.

4)  Select the point or points on the line for elimination. The selected point is emphasized.

5)  Select the Eliminate Points tool on the Edit Points toolbar.

6)  Accurately position the cursor over the selected point, then click and drag the selected point. As the cursor is dragged, a dotted line forms between the neighboring points.

7)  When this dotted line appears to be a straight line between the neighboring points, release the mouse button. The selected point is eliminated and a straight line now exists between the neighboring points.

Converting curves or lines

Curves and lines are easily converted using the Convert to Curve tool on the Edit Points toolbar. When a curve is converted to a line, a straight line is created between selected points on a curve. When a line is converted to a curve, a curve is created between selected points on a line. An example of converting a curve to a line is shown in Figure 38.

1)  Convert the object to a curve or a polygon.

2)  Switch the object into editing points mode and open the Edit Points toolbar.

3)  Select the points for converting from curve to line or from line to curve.

4)  Click on Convert to Curve on the Edit Points toolbar. Between the selected points, a curve is converted into a line or a line is converted into a curve.

Splitting objects

1)  Convert the object to a curve or a polygon.

2)  Switch the object into editing points mode and open the Edit Points toolbar.

Figure 39: Splitting objects

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3)  Select the point or points on the object where it is to be split. Keep the Shift key pressed down when selecting more than one point.

4)  Click on Split Curve on the Edit Points toolbar to split or cut the object border at the selected point. If the object is filled, it will be emptied because the object border is no longer closed, as shown in Figure 39.

5)  Deselect the object, then drag the cut segment and move it away from the original object.

Note

The point where the object was split is now larger than the remaining points visible on the object.

Closing objects

1)  Select an open object (Figure 40).

2)  Switch the object into editing points mode and open the Edit Points toolbar.

3)  Select a point where the object has been split. Note that the start point of an object is larger than the other points visible on the object.

4)  Click on Close Bézier in the Edit Points toolbar to close the object. If the open object was originally a closed and filled object, then the original color fills the object when it is closed.

Figure 40: Closing objects

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Figure 41: Distorting objects

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Distorting objects

1)  Select the object and switch into editing points mode to display the points on the object. This also opens the Edit Points toolbar.

2)  Select one of the points on the object and drag it to a new position to distort the object (Figure 41).

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