CHAPTER 2 DRAWING BASICS IN CANVAS This lesson introduces you to basic drawing techniques. The follow- ing exercises are an excellent way to learn the Canvas interface. Doing so will familiarize you with drawing lines, rectangles, ovals, and arcs, and EasyShapes™. These objects are called vector objects in Canvas. These drawing techniques are used to draw most vector objects, including rounded rectangles, polygons, multigons, cubes, concentric circles, and spirals. Throughout the following exercises, you can use any blank docu- ment. You’ll experiment with each of the tools. As you draw more and more objects, if you need more space, you can open another doc- ument or select the objects you have already drawn and delete them. Using drawing tools When a drawing tool is selected, the pointer changes to a crosshair, indicating that you are ready to draw. You draw most vector objects by dragging in the document window where you want to draw the shape. To create a vector object such as a rectangle, line, oval, or arc, you drag the drawing tool from one point to another point. When you fin- ish, the object fits inside an invisible box, which is called a bounding box. Remember, when an object is selected, the bounding box becomes visible. Use the Status bar, which is the bar at the bottom of the Canvas win- dow (Windows) or at the bottom of the screen (Mac), to see the size of the object you are drawing. Drawing lines with the Line tool The Line tool is used to draw straight lines at any angle. This tool allows you to choose where to start and end the line. 1 Select the Line tool from the toolbox. 2 Place the pointer where you want the first endpoint of the line and drag to the next point. The line automatically extends from the first point as you drag. Tip “Dragging” is defined as pressing and holding down the mouse button while you move the mouse, and then releasing the button. Tip The Status bar is always dis- played in Canvas for Windows. In Canvas for Mac OS, choose Window > Show Status Bar, if the Status bar is not displayed.
Canvas 8 Help: Drawing Basics in Canvas (1 of 10)                                                   Page #9