Color, Strokes, and Fills > Applying strokes > Applying basic strokes

 

Applying basic strokes

Basic strokes are simple lines. You can change the stroke width and color. You can change how a basic stroke is terminated, or capped, and how it joins other strokes.

You can also apply basic strokes that are dashed or that have arrowheads. You can edit the preset dashes and arrowheads, and you can create new ones.

To apply a basic stroke to a selected path or object:

1

Choose Window > Inspectors > Stroke to display the Stroke inspector.

2

In the Stroke inspector, choose Basic from the list at the top of the inspector.

3

Do one of the following to choose a color for the stroke:

Click the color box and choose a color from the pop-up color palette.

Use the Eyedropper tool to drag a color swatch to the color box.

Choose a color from the list to the right of the color box.

4

Specify a stroke width by doing one of the following:

Choose one of the preset values from the width list. Preset values appear in points.

Type a value from 0 to 288 points in the Width text box, and press Return.

5

Select a Cap option to set the style for a path end: Butt, which is flush with the path's end, Round, or Square, which extends beyond the path by half the stroke width.

Butt, Round, and Square caps
 

6

Select a Join option to define how two path segments meet: Miter, Round, or Beveled. To change the corners in an open or closed path, select a path and choose another join option.

Miter, Round, and Beveled join
 

7

Enter a miter limit from 1 to 57 to avoid beveling a Miter join.

Line lengths exceeding this value will be squared off instead of pointed. For example, a miter limit of 2 for a 3-point stroke means that when the length of the point is twice the stroke weight, FreeHand switches to a Bevel join.

Miter (left) and Beveled (right) joins, with arrows showing the length of the Miter join
 

8

To apply a dashed stroke, choose a dash style from the list. Choose No Dash for a solid stroke.

9

To apply an arrowhead to an open path, choose from the Arrowheads lists.

The left list applies an arrowhead to the first point (origin) of the selected path, and the right one applies to the last point. Arrowheads follow the path direction.

To create a new dashed stroke:

1

In the Stroke inspector, hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Macintosh) as you choose a dash from the Dash list.

2

To set dash sizes, enter values in one or more of the On entry text boxes in the Dash Editor. To set the space sizes between dashes, enter values in one or more of the Off entry text boxes.

3

Click OK to add a new dash to the Dash list and apply the new dash to any selected paths.

Note: The Dash list can display up to 255 dashed strokes. You cannot remove dashed strokes from the menu.

To create a new arrowhead:

1

In the Stroke inspector, choose New from the Arrowheads list to display the Arrowhead Editor.

2

The Arrowhead Editor provides a subset of FreeHand tools, including the Pen tool, for drawing or editing. Use the tools to draw a new arrowhead.

3

Click New.

To create an arrowhead from an existing one:

1

In the Stroke inspector, hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Macintosh) and select an arrowhead to display the Arrowhead Editor.

2

The Arrowhead Editor provides a subset of FreeHand tools, including the Pen tool, for drawing or editing. Edit the arrowhead.

3

Click New to add the new arrowhead to the Arrowheads list.

Note: The Arrowheads lists can display up to 255 arrowheads. You cannot remove arrowheads from the menu.