Shapes & Lines
The Shapes and Lines tool allows users to insert 2D shapes, 3D shapes, lines, and tables into the canvas. To set Shapes & Lines as the active tool, click the following icon on the main toolbar:
Using Shapes & Lines
On the main toolbar, click the Shapes and Lines icon once to access the quick select panel. The quick select panel is a toolbar that appears adjacent to the Shapes and Lines icon and contains three shape/line options that users can switch between. By default, myViewBoard displays the options for 2D shapes.
- Click once on a item to make that shape/line the active tool.
- Click again on the shape to show customization options.
- Click to switch to another shape/line option that you can insert, or
- Click twice on the icon to quickly switch between shape/line options.
The following options are available:
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2D Shapes
Insert 2D figures, such as circles and polygons. Select between 3 to 12-sided polygons. -
Lines
Insert lines, arrows, right angles, curves and connectors. Connectors can be used to connect a line between two polygons. -
3D Shapes
Insert 3D figures, such as pyramids, cubes, and spheres. -
Tables
Insert tables into the canvas, then drag objects into a table cell. Quick select options are not available for tables. -
Auto-shapes
Draw custom polygons and myViewBoard will convert your drawing to an object.
myViewBoard for Windows provides an option to divide existing polygons (2d shapes) into movable segments. To learn more, refer to the following article: Divide shapes into segments
Customizing Shapes & Lines
In the settings menu:
- Use the slider to adjust line thickness.
- Use the slider to modify the opacity for transparent or solid strokes.
- Click on a shape to change the shape available on the Quick select panel.
- Click a color to change the active color on the quick-selection.
To add a custom color, click the icon.
Quick select defaults
The quick select panel allows users to change the active tool to insert a different shape. Switching shapes is faster since users no longer need to re-open the Shapes & Lines menu each time they want to change shapes. These options change based on the current shape:
| Shapes | Options |
|---|---|
| 2D shapes | Rectangle, Circle, Triangle |
| 3D shapes | Cuboid, Sphere, Pyramid |
| Lines | Solid, Arrow, Dashed |
Adorning menu
The Adorning menu is a context menu that provides additional options to interact with shapes and lines added on the canvas. Actions available on the menu change depending on the active object selected.
Options shown will depend on certain properties of the shape or line selected.
Circular shapes
For all shapes created with the circle tool.
Equilateral polygon
For all shapes that have 4 or more straight sides of equal length.
Non-equilateral polygon
For all shapes that have either 3 sides or straight sides of unequal length.
3D shape / AI drawing
For all shapes created with the 3D tool, or for shapes inserted using the AI pen.
Straight / Curved lines
For all lines created with the line tool (either straight, angled, or curved).
Menu options
The following options are specific to the adorning menu for shapes and lines:
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Stroke
Adjusts the outline’s color, thickness, and opacity to define the shape’s edges and give the shape a clear boundary or a decorative accent. |
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Fill
Sets the interior color of the shape for added visual appeal to help differentiate shapes or convey emphasis. |
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Angle
Displays an overlay that measures and shows the length on each side of the shape, in cm. Click the overlay to toggle the display. |
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Slice
Divides the shape into separate segments to create a pie-chart effect. Useful for breaking down data or emphasizing portions of a design. |
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Arc
For circles only: Convert shape to a partial circle (lines at endpoints that connect to the center) or a partial arc (show lines only). |
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Add circle inside
Inserts a smaller circle within the boundaries of the selected shape to help layer elements or highlight an inner focal point. |
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Add circle outside
Adds a circle that surrounds the selected shape, either to create a layered effect or provide an external highlight. |
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Set endpoint style
Lines only: Specify a style for the left / right endpoints of the selected line. |
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Set line style
Lines only: Specify the style of the selected line. |