Editing Objects

All types of objects in Canvas X Draw can be easily modified. In general, you place an object in Edit mode to modify it.

Edit mode lets you use various features to edit each type of object.

• When a text object is in Edit mode, use word-processing features to select, cut, copy, paste, and edit text.
• When a vector object is in Edit mode, you can modify anchor points and segments to reshape its path.
• When a paint object is in Edit mode, you can use painting tools and commands to modify the image it contains.

Some other objects, including spirals, EasyShapes, objects that have transparency masks, and SpriteEffects, have special editing modes (besides their standard edit modes); e.g., if you place a vector object in Edit mode, you can edit the object’s path. If the object also has a transparency mask, you can edit its path in Path Edit mode, or use the Sprite tool to edit its transparency mask in Mask Edit mode.

To Place Objects in Edit Mode:

Select an object and choose Object | Edit | Object to place it in Object Edit mode or double-click the object.

To Exit Edit Mode:

Press the Esc key.

Selecting and Editing Objects with the Context Menu

Use the context menu to select an object or place an object in Edit mode. The context menu can make it easier to select and edit objects that are covered by other objects.

To Display the Context Menu:

Right-click or Ctrl-click the object.

To Select Objects Using the Context Menu:

1. When no objects are selected or in Edit mode, point to the object you want to select. If the object is hidden behind other objects, point to its location.
2. Choose Select | Object Name in the context menu. Canvas X Draw selects the object whose name you choose in the Select submenu. Choose a vector, text, paint, or group object.

To Edit Objects Using the Context Menu:

1. When no objects are selected or in Edit mode, point to the object you want to edit. If the object is hidden behind other objects, point to its location.
2. Choose Edit | Object Name in the context menu. Canvas X Draw places the object whose name you choose in the Edit submenu into Edit mode. Choose a vector, text, or paint object.

Selecting Objects Based on Their Properties

To Select an Object Based on its Properties:

1. Choose Edit | Find to select objects by type and attributes.
2. Click the Objects tab to set up selection criteria.

Find Palette Options Tab

Using Selection Sets

Click the arrows to expand the palette to work with selection sets, which let you broaden a search.

Selection criteria symbols make up a selection set. The current selection set is boxed. Changing selection options updates this selection set. Click a set to make it the current selection set.

• Or: Click to create an empty selection set.
• Copy: Click to duplicate the current selection set.
• Clear: Click to delete the current selection set. With only one set, Clear is unavailable.

See Also:

• Selecting Objects
• Moving Objects