Drawing lines

You can draw straight lines, freeform lines, and line segments. You can edit the nodes in a line to create curves.

You can also adjust the line options of existing vector objects.

To draw a line segment

Edit workspace

On the Tools toolbar, choose the Pen tool

If you want to place the line segment on the current vector layer, mark the Create on Vector check box on the Tool Options palette. If no vector layer exists, marking this check box creates one for the line segment. If this check box is unmarked, the line segment is placed on a raster layer. Placing a line segment on a vector layer makes it easier to edit.

On the Materials palette, click the Foreground and Stroke properties box, and choose a color for the outline.

If you are drawing connected line segments and you want to apply a fill, click the Background and Fill properties box, and choose a color for the text fill. If you do not want the line segments to have a fill, click the Transparent button

If you are drawing a single, unconnected line segment, it is not necessary to choose settings from the Background and Fill properties box.

On the Tool Options palette, click the Draw Lines and Polylines button

Choose a line style from the Line Style drop-list.

Type or set a line width (in pixels) value in the Width control.

Drag in the image window to create the line.

On the Tool Options palette, click the Apply button


You can also
View the object’s nodes while drawing	Mark the Show Nodes check box.
Smooth the appearance of the line	Mark the Anti-alias check box.
Choose a join setting	Select an option from the Join drop-list. If you select Miter Join, you can type or set a value in the Miter limit control to set the degree of pointedness.
Create a vertical, horizontal, or 45-degree line	Hold down Shift while dragging.
Connect each line segment	Mark the Connect Segments check box.

You can save your settings in the Tool Options palette settings for subsequent use. For more information about saving settings as presets, see Using and creating presets.

To draw a curved or straight line

Edit workspace

On the Tools toolbar, choose the Pen tool

On the Tool Options palette, click the Draw Point to Point button

Drag in the image window to create the line.

Do one of the following:

•

To create a straight line, click where you want the next node.

•

To create a curved line, click and drag. When the curve is the right shape, release the mouse button.

If you want to draw lines at fixed angles (45 degree increments), hold down Shift as you drag.

To draw a free-form line

Edit workspace

On the Tools toolbar, choose the Pen tool

On the Tool Options palette, click the Draw Freehand button

Drag in the image window to create the line.

To draw line segments

Edit workspace

On the Tools toolbar, choose the Pen tool

On the Tool Options palette, click the Draw Line and Polylines button

Drag in the image window to create the line.