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Setting shape tool options


    Each shape tool provides specific options; for example, you can set options that allow you to draw a rectangle with fixed dimensions or a line with arrowheads.

    Illustration of selecting a shape in the options bar, and clicking the inverted arrow to display options for the selected shape.
    Select a shape in the options bar, and click the inverted arrow to display options for the selected shape.

To set tool-specific options:

  1. Select a shape tool.
  2. In the options bar, set the options that are available for the active shape tool. Click the inverted arrow inverted arrow next to the shape buttons to view additional options for the active tool.
  3. Arrowheads Start and End

    Renders a line with arrowheads. Select Start, End, or both to specify on which end of the line arrows are rendered. The shape options appear in the pop-up dialog box. Enter values for Width and Length to specify the proportions of the arrowhead as a percentage of the line width (10% to 1000% for Width, and 10% to 5000% for Length). Enter a value for the concavity of the arrowhead (from -50% to +50%). The concavity value defines the amount of curvature on the widest part of the arrowhead, where the arrowhead meets the line.

    Circle

    Constrains an ellipse to a circle.

    Defined Proportions

    Renders a custom shape based on the proportions with which it was created.

    Defined Size

    Renders a custom shape based on the size at which it was created.

    Fixed Size

    Renders a rectangle, rounded rectangle, ellipse, or custom shape as a fixed shape based on the values you enter in the Width and Height text boxes.

    From Center

    Renders a rectangle, rounded rectangle, ellipse, or custom shape from the center.

    Indent Sides By

    Turns a polygon into a star. Enter a percentage in the text box to specify the depth of the star's indentations.

    Proportional

    Renders a rectangle, rounded rectangle, or ellipse as a proportional shape based on the values you enter in the Width and Height text boxes.

    Radius

    For rounded rectangles, specifies the corner radius. For polygons, specifies the distance from the center of a polygon to the outer points.

    Sides

    Specifies the number of sides in a polygon.

    Smooth Corners or Smooth Indents

    Renders a polygon with smooth corners or indents.

    Snap to Pixels

    Snaps edges of a rectangle or rounded rectangle to the pixel boundaries.

    Square

    Constrains a rectangle or rounded rectangle to a square.

    Unconstrained

    Lets you set the width and height of a rectangle, rounded rectangle, ellipse, or custom shape by dragging.

    Weight

    Determines the width of a line in pixels.