WMS:Drawing Tools

The Annotation toolbar.

Drawing tools allow the user to manual manipulate and create certain objects depending on the active module when the Map, Terrain, or Drainage modules are activated. These objects are created in layers, like sheets of paper stacked on top of one another. Only one tool is active at any given time.

Tools

Create Line

The Create Line tool can be used to create single line segments or polylines (a series of connected segments). An arrowhead can be placed on either end of the line. Lines are typically used in conjunction with text strings to highlight key features in a plot. A line is created by clicking on a series of points on the screen with the mouse and double-clicking to end to end the line. The color, line style, and arrowhead options of a line are edited with the Attributes dialog.

Create Rectangle

The Create Rectangle tool is used to create wire frame or filled rectangles. Rectangles can be used to represent buildings, frame a series of text strings, etc.. Rectangles are created with this tool by dragging a rectangle with the mouse at the location on the screen where the user wishes to place the rectangle.

Create Oval

The Create Oval tool can be used to create wire frame or filled ovals. Ovals are created by dragging a rectangle with the mouse at the location on the screen where the user wishes to place the oval. The rectangle width and height determine the major and minor axes of the oval.

Create Text

The Create Text tool is used to create a single line text string. The location clicked on defines where the text string will be placed. After clicking on a location, the Text Attributes dialog appears allowing the user to enter the text string and choose the font, color, etc.

Select Drawing Objects

The Select Drawing Objects tool is used to select previously created text, rectangles, ovals, and lines. Once selected, a drawing object can be moved to another location by clicking on the object and dragging it to a new location. Lines, rectangles, and ovals can be resized by dragging the handles that appear on the corners or ends of the object when the object is selected. The Select Drawing Objects tool is also used to edit the graphical attributes.

Arrangement Tools

The arrangement tools allow moving drawing objects up or down in the layers.

Move to Front brings the selected object to the front (or the top) of the layers, so all other layers are below it.

Move to Back moves the selected object to the back, so all other layers are above it.

Shuffle Up moves the selected object up one layer.

Shuffle Down moves the selected object down lone layer.

Related Topics

• Tool Palettes
• Drawing Objects