Setting preferences for drawing shapes

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You can set the default appearance for all new shapes that you draw by modifying the shape preferences. For example, you can set the color for the shape outline and fill. You can also modify the appearance of Bezier handles and various elements such as outlines and wings, to make it easier for drawing.

To set preferences for drawing shape outlines

 

To	Do the following
Apply an outline to a shape	Enable the Stroke check box.
Remove an outline from a shape	Disable the Stroke check box.
Change the outline color	Click the Stroke Color flyout button, and choose a color from the color selector.
Adjust the outline opacity	Click the Shape Attributes flyout button , and move the Opacity slider in the Stroke area.
Adjust the outline width	Move the Stroke Width slider.
Modify the appearance of endpoints of open shapes	Click the Shape Attributes flyout button , and click one of the following Endcap buttons: Projecting , Round , or Butt .
Modify the appearance of corners where two line segments connect	Click the Shape Attributes flyout button , and click one of the following Miter buttons: Miter , Round , or Bevel .
Set the miter limit to smooth out the sharpness of lines that join at a sharp angle	Click the Shape Attributes flyout button , and move the Miter Limit slider.

You can also set preferences for drawing shape outlines in the Shape Attributes panel (Window Shape Attributes).

To set preferences for filling shapes

 

To	Do the following
Apply a fill	Enable the Fill check box.
Remove a fill	Disable the Fill check box.
Change the fill color	Click the Fill Color flyout button, and choose a color in the color selector.
Fill overlapping areas of multiple shapes	Click the Shape Attributes flyout button , and click the Fill Overlaps button.
Leave overlapping areas unfilled	Click the Shape Attributes flyout button , and click the Don’t Fill Overlaps button. Multiple overlaps alternate between filled and not filled.
Adjust the fill opacity	Click the Shape Attributes flyout button , and move the Opacity slider in the Fill area.

You can also set preferences for filling shapes in the Shape Attributes panel (Window Shape Attributes).

You can also adjust shape flatness by adjusting the Flatness slider.

To set preferences for shape tools

 

To	Do the following
Control the size of the anchor points and the direction of the wing handles	In the Drawing Options area, enable the Big Handles check box. This can make them easier to grab and drag. If you want big points, enable this option.
Set the color of the wings, Bezier, and handles	In the Colors area, click Wing/Bezier Handle, and choose a color.
Set the color of the selected anchor points	In the Colors area, click Selected Point/Anchor, and choose a color. The unselected anchor points appear "hollow."