MACROMEDIA FIREWORKS 8, Use Manual

Page: 112 / 472

112 Chapter 5: Working with Vector Objects
Drawing vector objects
Fireworks has many tools for drawing vector objects. With these you can draw basic shapes,
freeform paths, and complex shapes by plotting points one by one. You can also draw Auto
Shapes, which are vector object groups that have special controls for adjusting their attributes.
Drawing basic lines, rectangles, and ellipses
You can use the Line, Rectangle, or Ellipse tool to draw basic shapes quickly. The Rectangle
tool draws rectangles as grouped objects. To move a rectangle corner point independently, you
must ungroup the rectangle or use the Subselection tool. To draw a basic rectangle with
beveled, chamfered, or rounded corners, see the following procedure. To draw a Auto Shape
rectangle with rounded corners, see
“Adjusting beveled, chamfered, and rounded rectangle
Auto Shapes” on page 118 .
To draw a line, rectangle, or ellipse:
1.
Select the Line, Rectangle, or Ellipse tool from the Tools panel.
2.
If desired, set the stroke and fill attributes in the Property inspector. See Chapter 7,
“Applying Color, Strokes, and Fills,” on page 167 .
3.
Drag on the canvas to draw the shape.
For the Line tool, Shift-drag to constrain lines to 45° increments.
For the Rectangle or Ellipse tool, Shift-drag to constrain shapes to squares or circles.
To draw a line, rectangle, or ellipse from a specific center point:
■
Position the pointer at the intended center point and Alt-drag (Windows) or Option-drag
(Macintosh) the drawing tool.
To constrain a shape and draw from the center point:
■
Position the pointer at the intended center point and Shift-Alt-drag (Windows) or
Shift-Option-drag (Macintosh) the drawing tool.
To adjust the position of a basic shape as you draw it:
■
While holding down the mouse button, press and hold the Spacebar, then drag the object
to another location on the canvas. Release the Spacebar to continue drawing the object.
NO
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An exception is the Line tool. Pressing the Spacebar while using the Line tool does
not change a line’s position on the canvas.