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144 Drawing Lines and Shapes

The sections or segments of a line are marked by small black point handles. You can
drag, add and delete these handles to manipulate the shape of the line or outline.

Some objects such as QuickShapes, rectangles, ellipses, and text have to be converted
into editable shapes before you can use the SHAPE EDITOR TOOL on them. To do this,
select an object and choose "ARRANGE" > "COMBINE SHAPES" > "ADD SHAPE".

To draw a straight line segment
Using the SHAPE TOOL, start a straight line:

1. Click where you want to start the line. You can start a line at either end; you don’t
have to work left to right, or top-to-bottom. This creates a point handle, and is
displayed as a red square to indicate that it is the selected handle.
2. If necessary select the MAKE LINE button on the InfoBar ("L"). This ensures the next
click will draw a straight line segment.

Either click where you want the next
point handle to be, or click and drag,
and then release the mouse button
when the line is correct. This creates
a line segment and selects the new
end point handle.

Mixing curved and straight lines
To create an object which is a mixture of straight and curved segments, just switch
between the MAKE CURVE and MAKE LINE buttons as you create the object (you can also
press "L" or "C" on the keyboard.)

Note: You can also use the keyboard shortcut "X" to create a Cusp Join or "S" to create a
Smooth Join while using the SHAPE TOOL. These affect the way two line segments come
together. A Cusp Join creates 2 independent Bezier control handles that you can edit
separately. With a cusp join, you can create a sharp angle. A Smooth Join creates a
symmetrical join that works like a see saw. If you drag one Bezier control handle down,
the opposing control handle goes up.

To draw a curved line segment:
This is similar to starting a straight line (described above).

1. Click where you want to start the line.
2. If necessary select the MAKE CURVE button (shortcut "C".)