Adobe 38039927 User Guide - Page 89

84 Chapter 5: Working with Vector Objects A vector object is a computer graphic whose shape is defined by a path. The shape of a vector path is determined by points that are plotted along the path. A vector object's stroke color follows the path. Its fill occupies the area inside the path. The stroke and fill typically determine how the graphic looks when published in print or on the web. Fireworks CS3 has many tools for drawing and editing vector objects using a variety of techniques. With the basic shape tools, you can quickly draw straight lines, circles and ellipses, squares and rectangles, stars, and any equilateral polygon with 3 to 360 sides. You can draw freeform vector paths with the Vector Path and Pen tools. Using the Pen tool, you can draw complex shapes with smooth curves and straight lines by plotting points one by one. Fireworks offers several methods for editing the vector objects you have drawn. You can change an object's shape by moving, adding, or deleting points. You can use point handles to change the shape of adjacent path segments. Freeform tools let you alter the shape of objects by editing paths directly. You can also edit Auto Shapes using their predefined editing methods. Commands on the Modify menu give you more options for editing objects, including combining objects to create a single object, creating an object from the intersection of several objects, and expanding the stroke of an object. You can also import graphics and manipulate them using these commands. This chapter contains the following topics: • "Drawing vector objects" on page 84 • "Editing paths" on page 100 Drawing vector objects Fireworks has many tools for drawing vector objects. With these you can draw basic shapes, freeform paths, and complex shapes by plotting points one by one. You can also draw Auto Shapes, which are vector object groups that have special controls for adjusting their attributes. Drawing basic lines, rectangles, and ellipses You can use the Line, Rectangle, or Ellipse tool to draw basic shapes quickly. The Rectangle tool draws rectangles as grouped objects. To move a rectangle corner point independently, you must ungroup the rectangle or use the Subselection tool. To draw a basic rectangle with beveled, chamfered, or rounded corners, see the following procedure. To draw a Auto Shape rectangle with rounded corners, see "Adjusting beveled, chamfered, and rounded rectangle Auto Shapes" on page 89. To draw a line, rectangle, or ellipse: 1 Select the Line, Rectangle, or Ellipse tool from the Tools panel. 2 If desired, set the stroke and fill attributes in the Property inspector. See "Applying Color, Strokes, and Fills" on page 126. 3 Drag on the canvas to draw the shape. For the Line tool, Shift-drag to constrain lines to 45° increments.