Working with Inks and Strokes

In Canvas X Draw, inks are solid colors or multicolored patterns that you apply to vector and text objects. You can apply inks to the interiors and outlines of vector objects and text. Strokes are lines centered on a path. You can modify the ink used for a stroke, or the stroke itself. You can shape a stroke with standard and calligraphic pens, parallel lines, even neon tubes. You can also add dashes and arrowheads to strokes.

Canvas X Draw comes with a number of preset inks and strokes that you can immediately apply to objects, or you can create your own custom inks and strokes.

Applying Inks and Strokes

You can apply inks to two areas of vector objects and text:

You can change the current inks before you create an object, or you can create an object and then modify the inks used.

Strokes are used for lines and outlines of objects. You can select the stroke itself, adjust the ink, thickness of the pen, and type of stroke, or you can use dashed strokes or arrowheads.

To Change the Default Pen or Fill Ink:

1. Make sure no objects are selected in the document.
2. Click the Pen Ink or Fill Ink icon in the Toolbox.
3. Select an ink.

To Change the Pen or Fill Ink for a Selected Object:

1. Select a vector or text object.
2. Click the Pen Ink or Fill Ink icon in the Toolbox.
3. Select an ink.

To Change the Current Stroke:

1. Make sure no objects are selected in the document.
2. Click the Stroke icon in the Toolbox.
3. Select a stroke.

To Change the Stroke for a Selected Object:

1. Select an object.
2. Click the Stroke icon in the Toolbox.
3. Select a stroke.

To Use the Presets Palette:

Do one of the following:

• Click one of the ink or stroke icons in the Toolbox, then drag the palette away from the Toolbox to float it.
• Choose Window | Palettes | Presets.

Creating Custom Inks and Strokes

As well as using the preset inks and strokes, you can create your own custom inks and strokes and save them as presets. You do this in the Attributes palette.

To Open the Attributes Palette:

Do one of the following:

• In the Presets palette, click the Edit button.
• Choose Window | Palettes | Attributes.

To Create a Custom Ink or Stroke:

1. In the Attributes palette, select the options you want to use for your custom ink or stroke.
2. Click the Add Preset button.