Page 148 - Xara Designer Pro X17

148 Shape Handling

Change the number of sides by typing the number into the menu or
selecting from it.

Editing stars

To increase or decrease the depth of stellation:

Drag a star handle or select STELLATION RADIUS &
OFFSET on the EDITABLE ITEMS menu. Type the
required values into the text boxes.
The original shape is on the left.

Or drag the sides to make them curved:

The original shape is on the left.

You can also nudge the values using the buttons to the right.
Offset from center
Angular offset

"Ctrl + drag" one side of a star moves all the sides symmetrically. "Ctrl + Shift dragging"
moves pairs of sides as mirror images. "Ctrl + double click" on a side, or click the
RESTORE EDGES button to make all sides straight again.

Combining shapes

The COMBINE SHAPES option (select the objects, right click and choose COMBINE SHAPES)
provides you with a range of advanced options to combine shapes to make new shapes,
such as adding, cutting, or slicing. You can use combine shapes on any type of object,
including bitmaps.

When subtracting, intersecting and slicing, you can either use the topmost selected
shape to do the “cutting” of the lower shapes, or you can use one of the Photo Region
tools.

Select one of the Photo Region tools to draw your cutting shape over the lower
shapes. The selected area will be outlined with a dashed 'marching ants' effect.

Then RIGHT CLICK and choose COMBINE SHAPES and then one of the options. The Photo
Regions shape is used to cut the shapes underneath.

See Photo Regions and Masks for more information on the Photo Regions tools.