User Guide

Canvas 12 User Guide
Editing objects
All types of objects in Canvas can be easily modified. In general, you place an object in edit mode to
modify it.
Edit mode lets you use various features to edit each type of object; e.g., when a text object is in edit
mode, use word-processing features to select, cut, copy, paste, and edit text. When a vector object
is in edit mode, you can modify anchor points and segments to reshape its path. When a paint object
is in edit mode, you can use painting tools and commands to modify the image it contains.
Some other objects, including spirals, EasyShapes, objects that have transparency masks, and
SpriteEffects, have special editing modes (besides their standard edit modes); e.g., if you place a
vector object in edit mode, you can edit the object’s path. If the object also has a transparency mask,
you can edit its path in path edit mode, or use the Sprite tool to edit its transparency mask in mask
edit mode.
To place objects in edit mode:
Select an object and choose Object | Edit | Object to place it in object edit mode or double-click
the object.
To exit edit mode:
Press the Esc key.
Selecting and editing objects with the context menu
Use the context menu to select an object or place an object in edit mode. The context menu can make
it easier to select and edit objects that are covered by other objects.
To display the context menu:
Right-click the object.
To select objects using the context menu:
1. When no objects are selected or in edit mode, point to the object you want to select. If the
object is hidden behind other objects, point to its location.
2. Choose Select | Object Name in the context menu. Canvas selects the object whose name you
choose in the Select submenu. Choose a vector, text, paint, or group object.
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