Working with Shapes

The Shape Editor is accessed when you create or edit a shape, edge, or corner. The Shape Editor Ribbon consists of 3 sections; Insert Figures, Edit, and Positioning. The tools all perform the same functions regardless of the element that you are working with. The difference is that the workspace is custom-configured for each element to help make your design process a little easier.

Inserting a Standard Shape

To access the Shape Editor to create an element:

1. Open the Art Kit to which you want to create the element.
2. Click Shape, Edge, or Corner on the Content Ribbon.
3. Click Insert a New Shape (or edge, or corner). The Shape Editor appears.

Ribbon Button	Description
Rectangle	Creates a rectangle in the workspace with selection handles for editing.
Elipse	Creates a circle in the workspace with selection handles for editing.
Custom	Changes the mouse pointer to a cross-hair which allows you to place "connect-the-dots" points as you draw. Also, the Complete button is activated. Just click it to finalize the shape.
Complete	Use with a custom shape. Click when you are finished creating dots that connect into the shape you want.
Undo	Undo the last action.
Redo	Redo and action that was undone.
Duplicate	Creates a copy of the selected shape.
Delete	Deletes the selected shape.
Locked	Locks a shape from edits or positioning.
Unlocked	Unlocks a shape from edits or positioning.
Blend	Use with multiple shapes on the workspace. Options control how the shapes interact together to form the final shape.
Move to front	Use with multiple shapes. Places the selected shape in front of the others.
Move to back	Use with multiple shapes. Places the selected shape in back of the others.
Rotate Options	Rotates or flips the selected shape.

1. Use the appropriate Ribbon Button to create and modify your shape.
2. Click OK.

 

Shape Editor- Create a Shape

Inserting a Shape from a Font Kit

You can insert fun symbols that you may already be familiar with from working with Windows applications over the years. These symbol-shapes are stored in Font Kits (see Managing Fonts for more information on the different font kits).

1. View the page you want to insert the font-symbol.
   
2. From the Insert ribbon, Content section, click .
3. Click From art kit on the sub-menu.
   The Content Viewer appears.
   
4. Follow the instructions on the diagram below to find and insert your desired symbol-shape.
   

Note: Once your shape is placed on the page, you can decorate it with many formatting options. See Working with Colors and Fills and Working with Other Elements for more information.

 

Shape Editor- Create an Edge

 

Shape Editor- Create a Corner