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The Editor of Vector Shapes


The built-in editor of vector shapes lets you create new vector images. Also, you can modify icons and shapes provided in the Layer Content window, and you can edit text as a vector shape.


The Library of Custom Images

Vector images you have created are located in the Custom tab of the Layer Content window.

To create a new image, click the "+" button.

To remove an image, select it and click the "" button.

To create a copy of an image, select it and click the Duplicate button.

To edit an image, select it and click the Edit button. Or, double-click on this image.

To choose an image for the current layer, click on it.

Custom images are stored in this folder:
~/Library/Application Support/BeLight Software/Art Text/IconArt/

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The Interface of the Editor

To open the editor, click the Edit or "+" button in the Custom tab of the Layer Content window.

Tools in the vector editor:

1 – The selection tool is used to select or move points.

2 – The straight segment tool (Opt-L).

3 – The curved segment tool (Opt-C).

4 – The rectangle tool (Opt-R).

5 – The ellipse tool (Opt-O).

6 – Add an anchor point (Opt-+).

7 – Delete an anchor point (Backspace).

8 – Change the anchor point type.

9 – Clear the canvas (Opt-Space).

 

The full list of keyboard shortcuts can be found on the Art Text Keyboard Shortcuts page.

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Points and Paths

A vector shape comprises anchor points and lines that connect them. Anchor points mark the beginning and end of each line (or segment). By adding one line after another you create a path. The path must be closed. This means that it begins and ends with the same point.

Anchor points can be of two types: corner point and smooth point. When you change the type of a point, intersecting lines may change from curved to straight and vice versa.

 

1 – Corner point. At a corner point, a path abruptly changes direction. A corner point may join either straight or curved lines in any combination. A corner point with two straight lines doesn't have the direction lines.

2 – Straight segment.

3 – Smooth point. At a smooth point, a path continue following the same direction. A smooth point joins only two curved segments.

4 – Direction line.

5 – Direction point. It is a handle on the end of a direction line. Moving a direction point, you can change the length and angle of the corresponding direction line.

6 – Curved segment.

7 – Corner point.

 

The direction of a curved path in a smooth anchor point coincides with the direction of the direction line. Leaving the anchor point, the path branches off from the direction line. The longer the direction line is, the longer the path passes near it.

  

By default, the direction lines of the same smooth point rotate together preserving a 180 degree angle between them. By changing this angle you can create a corner point from a smooth point. To do this, drag one of direction points holding down the Shift key. To make two direction lines rotate together again, restore a 180 degree angle between them.

 

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Drawing a Shape

Select the straight segment or curved segment tool. Click on the canvas to add as many anchor points as you need. Make the last click on the first point of the path to make it closed. Also, you can finish drawing by activating the selection tool. In this case the program will close the path automatically.

Images you create here are solid shapes, not contours.

The direction you draw a path matters when one shape has been drawn over another. In the picture below, shapes A and B were drawn in the clockwise direction. C was drawn in the counter-clockwise direction. The areas where the shapes overlap are different. The intersection area of A and B remains solid, when the intersection of A and C is a hole.

 

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Adding Anchor Points

You add anchor points when you draw a path.

To add more anchor points, activate the adding tool and click on a path segment.

 

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Deleting Anchor Points

To delete an anchor point, select it and click the delete button .

 

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Changing the Type of Anchor Points

To choose other type of an anchor point, click the type button .

 

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Moving Anchor Points

To move an anchor point drag it with the mouse. A straight segment attached to this point will change its direction. A curved segment will change the direction and shape.

To switch off the smart guides and snap function when you move an anchor point, press and hold the Ctrl key.

 


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