Drawing line and arc segments
Use the line and arc segment tools to quickly and easily create individual lines and arcs by dragging. The Line and Arc Segment dialog boxes display the values of the last segment created. You can reset to the default values in the dialog box by pressing Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) and clicking Reset.
To draw a line segment: - Select the line segment tool
, click where you want the line to begin, and drag to where you want the line to end. - As you drag, do any of the following:
- Press Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) to extend the line from both sides of the origin point.
- Press the spacebar to move the line as you draw.
- Press `(grave accent) to create multiple line segments as you move the mouse.
- Press ~ (tilde) to constrain multiple lines to 45° angles.
- Press Shift to constrain a single line to 45°.
To draw a line segment by specifying properties: - Select the line segment tool, and click where you want to place the segment.
- In the Line Segment dialog box, enter the length and angle you want.
- Select Fill Line if you want the line to use the current fill color (otherwise the fill is set to none).
- Click OK.
To draw an arc segment: - Select the arc segment tool
, click where you want the arc to begin, and drag to create an arc. - As you drag, do any of the following:
- Press Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) to extend the arc from both sides of the origin point.
- Press the spacebar to move the arc as you draw.
- Press `(grave accent) to create multiple arc segments as you move the mouse.
- Press C to switch between an open and closed arc.
- Press F to flip the arc, keeping the origin point constant.
- Press Up Arrow or Down Arrow to increase or decrease the arc's angle.
To draw an arc segment by specifying properties: - Select the arc segment tool, and click where you want to place the segment.
- In the Arc Segment dialog box, enter the options you want.
- Select Fill Line if you want the line to use the current fill color (otherwise the fill is set to none).
- Click OK.
Note: The square icon to the right of the Length X-Axis option sets the origin point for the arc. To change the origin point, click the square on any of the four corners.
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