Tools

The Tools palette

The Tools palette includes the following controls:

• Use the Item tool to select, move, resize, and reshape items (boxes, lines, text paths, and groups). When the Item tool is not selected, you can press Command/Ctrl to temporarily access the Item tool.
• Use the Text Content tool to draw text boxes and work with text in boxes.
• Use the Picture Content tool to draw picture boxes and work with pictures in boxes.
• Use the Linking tool to link text boxes.
• Use the Unlinking tool to unlink text boxes.
• Use the Rectangle Box tool to create a rectangular box. To draw a square box, press and hold Shift while drawing.
• Use the Oval Box tool to create an oval box. To create a circular box, press and hold Shift while drawing.
• Use the Composition Zones tool to create a Composition Zones box.
• Use the Star Box tool to create a star-shaped box.
• Use the Line tool to create straight diagonal lines of any angle. To constrain a line angle to 45 degrees, press and hold Shift while drawing.
• Use the Bézier tool to create Bézier lines and boxes. To constrain a line angle to 45 degrees, press and hold Shift while drawing.
• Use the Add Point tool to add a point to any type of path. Adding a point to a content box automatically turns the content box into a Bézier item.
• Use the Remove Point tool to remove a point from any type of path.
• Use the Convert Point tool to automatically convert corner points to curve points, and curve points to corner points. Click and drag to change the position of a point, the curve of a curved line segment, or the position of a straight line segment. Select this tool and click a rectangular box or straight line to convert the item to a Bézier box or line.
• Use the Scissors tool to cut an item into distinct paths.
• Use the Point Selection tool to select curves or points so that you can move them or delete them. Press Shift and click to select multiple points. Option-click/Alt-click a point to make it symmetrical.
• Use the Freehand Line tool to draw any shape line or box you want. If you don't close a freehand box, it remains a line. To automatically close a freehand box, press Option/Alt.
• Use the Tables tool to create a table.
• Use the Zoom tool to enlarge or reduce the document view.
• Use the Pan tool to reposition the active layout.

Note: After you draw a box, select the Text Content tool or the Picture Content tool , depending what you want in the box. You can also use key commands to declare the box content type: Press T while drawing to declare Picture content or press R while drawing to declare Text content.

Note: For more information about Bézier boxes and lines, see "Creating Bézier boxes" and "Creating Bézier lines."

Note: To add text to a line or path, select the Text Content tool and double-click the line or path.

Note: For more information about Composition Zones, see "Creating a Composition Zones item."

Note: Windows users can display the Tools palette (Windows menu) horizontally, as well as vertically. To display the palette horizontally, Ctrl+double-click the title bar.