Freehand Pen

Use the Pen tool  to create vector-based, freehand lines. Choose from a variety of pen line in the Quick Style Gallery or create your own.

1.   Select Draw tab > Drawing Tools group > Pen tool.

2.   Select a style from the Styles group.

3.   Drag the mouse on the canvas to apply pen line.

Select a Style from the Quick Style Gallery

1.   Select Draw tab > Drawing Tools group > Pen tool.

2.   Select Styles group > More button .

3.   Select a pen style from the Quick Styles Gallery.

Select the Pen Color from Colors on the Canvas

1.   Select Draw tab > Drawing Tools group > Pen tool.

2.   Select Styles group > Outline > Select color from image.

3.   Click on the canvas to pick a fill color.

4.   Drag cursor on canvas to create line.

-Or-

1.   Select Draw tab > Drawing Tools group > Pen tool.

2.   Hold the <CTRL> key to use the eyedropper to select a color from the canvas.

3.   Release the <CTRL> key after color selection.

4.   Drag cursor on canvas to create pen line.

Pick a Custom Color

1.   Select Draw tab > Drawing Tools group > Pen tool.

2.   Select Styles group > Outline option > More Outline Colors > Colors task pane.

3.   Select a color from the Standard or Custom tab. Click OK.

4.   Drag cursor on canvas to create pen line.

Change the Shape of the Pen Line

1.   Click a pen line on the canvas to give it focus.

2.   Select Styles group > Outline option > Shape. Select a style from the menu.

Change the Pen Width

1.   Click a pen line on the canvas to give it focus.

2.   Select Styles group > Outline option > Width. Select a width from the menu or click Custom Lines to create a new width.

Move or Reshape a Pen Line

•      To move a pen line, click down on the center of the line and drag to a new location.

•      To change the shape of a pen line, right-click a pen line and select Edit Points. Use the yellow points to change the shape of the line. Select Edit Points again to remove the points from view.

•      Hold down <SHIFT> to keep the line straight  as you draw a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal line.

Set the Transparency Level

Transparency is the ability to see through the pen line. The graphic below shows a sample of effects that can be achieved by controlling the transparency level.

1.   Click a pen line on the canvas to give it focus.

2.   Select Styles group > Effects > Transparency > Select the transparency level or click Custom to enter a specific percentage.

Add, Remove, or Customize the Pen Line Shadow

Click a pen line on the canvas to give it focus.

•      To add a shadow, select Styles group > Effects > Shadow > Select the shadow effect using the icons.

•      To remove a shadow, select Styles group > Effects > Shadow > No Shadow icon.

•      To add a custom shadow, select Styles group > Effects > Shadow > Click More Shadows. Use the options in the Drop Shadow task pane to create a custom look. Click OK.

Add a Custom Pen Line to the Quick Styles Gallery

The Quick Styles Gallery is used to save custom pen lines so they can be reused.

1.   Click a pen line on the canvas to give it focus.

2.   Right-click the pen line.

3.   From the popup menu, click Add to Quick Styles. The pen line is now available in the Quick Styles Gallery.

Antialiasing for Smooth Lines

Antialiasing is a technique used to make lines appear smooth. Without antialiasing being applied, object edges will appear jagged. The antialiasing option is turned to “on” for all of Editor’s vector-based tools.

To turn antialiasing on or off:

1.   Click a pen line on the canvas to give it focus.

2.   Select Styles group > Effects > Antialias.