Page 169 - Xara Designer Pro X17

Drawing Lines and Shapes 169

After changing the line type, you may need to move the curve handles for a smooth
transition between curved and straight line segments.

You can select several line segments and convert them all. The point handles at both
ends of the segment must be selected.

Splitting a shape

If you want to split (break) a line or shape: Either select an existing point handle on the
line or outline of the shape, or create a new one where you want to break the line. Just
click on the line in the SHAPE TOOL(SEE ABOVE).
Click on the BREAK AT POINTS button, or press "B".

If you split a line, there is no visible change. However, if you move the point handle, then
only part of the line moves. If you split a shape, it changes to being a line. Any fill
disappears.

Note: "Slice shapes" (part of "ARRANGE" > "COMBINE SHAPES") also lets you split shapes
into two separate shapes. This is described in "Shape handling (on page 150)".

Changing the line width (thickness)

To change the line thickness or the outline thickness of a shape, first select the object or
objects:

Type a new line width into the text box on the STANDARD control bar or
choose the default line thickness from the menu.
Or position the mouse pointer over the edge of a line or shape, hold down Ctrl + Shift and
use your mouse wheel to rapidly adjust the outline width. This works whether or not the
line/shape is selected.

Line thickness is traditionally measured in points, abbreviated to pt. 1 point is 1/72 of an
nd
inch (about 0.3mm), which is slightly less than the thickness of one screen pixel when
viewed at 100% zoom.
You can enter the thickness value in any unit, and Xara Designer Pro X will convert it to
the correct number of Points. E.g. you can enter 0.5cm, and you will get a line half a
centimeter thick, but it will show just over 14pt in the line width field.