Drawing Lines

  1. Click on the Line tool. The cursor changes to a pencil.
    Line Tool
  2. Move the cursor to the point where you want the line to start.
  3. Hold down the left mouse button and drag to where the line is to end.
  4. Release the mouse to complete the action.

drawing1

Notes:

  • When you release the mouse, the line may seem to move a bit from where you released it. This is because lines and arcs drawn in EasyDraw will snap to points on a grid. This is the default setting. The number of points in the grid can be adjusted using the Precision Bar. Remember that all segments must be connected to the outside edge of the block or to one another. Snapping to a grid helps ensure that your lines are connected.
  • Zoom in as closely as possible to check your drawing. This is especially helpful when editing because a small area in normal view can appear quite large when you zoom.
  • Pressing the Spacebar will toggle between the Line tool and the Edit tool.

Drawing Arcs

  1. Click on the Arc tool. The cursor changes to a pencil.
    easydraw-arc
  2. Move the cursor to the point where you want the arc to start.
  3. Hold down the left mouse button and drag to where the arc is to end. If your arc starts to curve opposite to the direction you want, press the Spacebar on your keyboard while drawing your arc to change its direction.
  4. Release the mouse to complete the action.

drawing2

If you never touch the arc with the Edit tool, it will retain its perfect circular shape.

Notes:

  • When you release the mouse, the arc may seem to move a bit from where you released it. This is because lines and arcs drawn in EasyDraw will snap to points on a grid. This is the default setting. The number of points in the grid can be adjusted using the Precision Bar. Remember that all segments must be connected to the outside edge of the block or to one another. Snapping to a grid helps ensure that your lines are connected.
  • Zoom in as closely as possible to check your drawing. This is especially helpful when editing because a small area in normal view can appear quite large when you zoom.
  • Pressing the Spacebar will toggle between the Arc tool and the Edit tool.
  • If your arc starts to curve opposite to the direction you want, press the Spacebar on your keyboard while drawing your arc to change its direction.

Drawing a Grid

The Grid tool lets you pull out a grid made up of evenly spaced horizontal and vertical lines. This is a fast and easy way to create a four patch or nine patch block. It is also useful to convert the grid lines to guides.

To Draw a Grid

  1. Click on the Grid tool. The cursor changes to a crosshair with a grid.
    Grid Tool
  2. Adjust the number of grid divisions using the controls in the palette.
    drawing3
  3. Move the crosshair portion of the cursor to the point where you want the grid to start.
  4. Hold down the left mouse button and drag diagonally to where the grid is to end.
  5. Release the mouse to complete the action.

drawing4

Notes:

  • Press the Spacebar immediately after drawing a grid to select all lines in the grid. This makes it easy to adjust the size and position of the grid or to convert the lines to guides.
  • If the grid lines are not starting where you want them to, you may have snap to node/line or arc turned on.
  • If you are having trouble pulling the grid out large enough to cover the entire block, remember to drag diagonally keeping your eyes on the cursor while you draw.
  • Make sure the number of divisions in the grid agrees with the number of grid points set on the drawing board. For example, you do not want 3 divisions if grid points are set to 11 x 11.