Basic Move, Resize and Rotate
*Reposition move objects by selecting with the Select [s] tool and dragging, or use the Geometry panel to adjust the object’s x.y location.
*Resize (scale) shapes by dragging any of the object handles with the Select [s] tool, or use the Geometry panel to adjust size.
*Rotate objects around their center point by moving their purple rotation handle with the Select [s] key, or use the Geometry panel to set the rotation angle.
*Draw from center by holding the Alt/Option-key when drawing.
*Maintain the aspect ratio to make perfect circles and squares by holding the SHIFT-key when drawing.
*Reposition the object center point move the center blue crosshair target with the Select [s] tool to move the point of object rotation.
To Change the Stack Order of Objects – Moving Forward and Back
Within each layer, objects have a stack order as they are drawn. Newer objects are drawn on top of existing objects. This is independent of layers, which control the display order of all objects among individual layers. Use the Graphic > Bring To Front, Bring Forward, Send To Back, Send Backward commands from the main menu to change the stack order of objects. Alternatively, right-click on a graphic for quick access to the contextual menu stack order commands. These functions are also available as toolbar icons via the Customize toolbar menu.
Note, occasionally you may draw an object with a larger bounding box that is stacked "in front" of another object. Because of the overlap, the top object may either hide the lower object or make it difficult to select because the top object bounding box is "in the way". To alleviate this, either change the stack order of the objects or move objects to different layers.
To Group Objects
Choose Graphic > Group from the main menu to group two or more objects, or use the CMND-G keyboard shortcut. Ungroup objects by choosing Graphic > Ungroup, or use the SHIFT-CMND-G keyboard shortcut. These functions are also available to the toolbar via the Customize toolbar menu.
Note that when objects are grouped, they are moved to the top of the stack order. If a style is applied to a group, all objects within the group will receive the new style. Text within a group can be double-clicked for convenient editing without ungrouping.
HINT: When you place clip art onto your drawing canvas the clip art are composed of regular drawing objects, though they may need ungrouped to edit!
To Convert Objects From Shape Mode to Edit Path Mode
Double-click a path or shape to quickly switch between shape mode and edit path mode. For example, a path object can be converted to a shape object and vice-versa.
Conversion can also be done through associated commands in the Main Menu. Convert a shape to a path by choosing Graphic > Convert To Path from the main menu, or right-clicking and choosing the command from the object’s contextual menu. Conversely, choose Graphic > Convert To Shape from the main menu to convert a path to a shape, or right-click and choose the command from the object’s contextual menu.
Paths
Path objects contain two or more points connected by a line. Points may be moved, added, and deleted. Bezier paths also have curve handles which can be moved independently, and controlled by holding either the CMND or Alt/Option keys.
Shapes
Shape objects are defined by a bounding box. Bounding box handles can be moved, and shape objects can be resized using these handles. Hold the SHIFT-key to maintain the aspect ratio when resizing shapes. Grouped objects also take on a bounding box for the outer extent of the grouped objects. A rotation handle allows easy, direct rotation of shapes and shape groups. Objects rotate around the shape’s center point, which is directly adjustable by moving the center target on the shape.
Note that special shapes, such as stars and round rectangles, will be converted into paths then back to normal shapes through this process (they cannot be converted back into special shapes).
Text
Text objects are conveniently converted to Path, Shape, or Shape Group using the ‘convert to’ commands. Text-box text can also be converted to Text On Path. Converting text to a Shape Group enables several glyphs to be converted into a group of individual shapes. Ungroup a shape group to render each glyph as an individual shape which can be independently styled and manipulated.
