CHAPTER 19 STROKES: OUTLINE EFFECTS When you create objects with drawing tools, Canvas applies a stroke to the objects according to attributes set in the Strokes palette. A stroke is a line centered on the path of vector objects and the outlines of type. You can shape a stroke with standard and calligraphic pens, parallel lines, even neon tubes. You can also add dashes and arrow- heads to strokes. This chapter explains basic stroke settings, how to customize strokes, and how to apply strokes to objects and text. Types of strokes Canvas has three basic types of strokes plus arrows and dashes, which you can use to create unlimited variations. The following types of strokes appear on tabs in the Strokes palette. Pen Strokes made of a single line. You can specify the width, shape (standard or calligraphic), type of line joins, and shape of end caps. Parallel Strokes made of two or more lines. You can specify width, dashes, colors, and spacing. Neon Strokes shaded like glowing tubes. You can specify width, colors, tube shape, line joins, and end caps. Arrows and dashes can be applied to strokes for additional effects. Two tabs in the Strokes palette contain settings for these attributes. Arrow You can use preset or custom arrowheads that appear at the endpoints of each path segment. Dash You can apply preset or custom dash sequences that divide solid strokes into solid and blank segments. How inks affect strokes You define the colors that apply to strokes separately from the stroke settings. The pen ink (specified in the Inks palette) and the stroke set- tings together produce the appearance of an object’s outline. The pen ink is the color (or pattern) that “paints” the object’s stroke. There- fore, the object must have a visible pen ink for the stroke to be visi- ble. Conversely, the object must have a stroke for the pen ink to be visible. Pen Parallel Neon Arrow Dash
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