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To open the Tools Palette, click the Tools icon on the toolbar, or choose Window > Tools from the main menu.

By default, Ortelius tools are “sticky” – the tool will remain active until you choose a different tool. Depending on the task at hand, having the tools revert immediately to the Select tool after each use may be preferred.

All tools will be in the “sticky state” (orange) until you double-click on any tool to release them (grey). In the non-sticky state, click a tool once to “turn it on” and use it once. Afterward, you’ll default back to the direct Select tool. To make tools sticky again, double click on any tool.

The direct Select tool is shaped like an arrow and is the most commonly used tool to select and manipulate drawing objects. Select is the default resting state for the Drawing Tools palette.

Linear Select™ is used to highlight and select portions of connectable tracks (see “Using Linear Select” for a complete description on this powerful tool).

Use the robust graphics tools to draw unlimited shapes, lines and smooth Bezier curves. Cut, or split, paths and tracks with the Cut Path tool using a cutting gesture. Insert text boxes or add curved text along paths. Fine-tune your drawing objects by adding or deleting vertices.

For an example showing the specific behavior of each tool, see “Tool – Object Behavior.”

To learn how to use the Drawing Tools, see the hands-on exercises available in the Getting Started guide.

Among the most powerful aspects of Ortelius is its use of special cartography tools, including Tracks, Symbol Stamp, and Style Dropper.

Tracks are objects which are connectable with other tracks, special objects, and symbols. These connector tracks look similar to regular drawing objects, but they are indeed special. Use connector tracks when you want clean junctions and intersections with linear features, such as road networks and waterways.

Tracks are used in combination with the Linear Select tool to insert special objects, such as bridges and tunnels (these are found under Edit > Insert Special in the main menu). You can even seamlessly insert different line styles along the same path. Use tracks when you want to snap point symbols or feature labels directly to a line. For more information, see “Using Linear Select.”

Straight Track, Curved Track, Polygonal Track, and Freehand Track tools are available.

Use the Symbol Stamp tool to place point symbols, road signs, sequential markers, and more from the Symbols Palette.

Use the Style Dropper to quickly copy a style from an existing object to other objects. Just make the tool “sticky” and click from one object to copy the style to another.