User Guide

Canvas 12 User Guide
To apply the Horizontalize command:
1. Select the object.
2. Choose Effects | Horizontalize. The cursor changes to a crosshair.
3. Click the crosshair to establish the start point of the horizontal line.
4. Click the crosshair again to indicate the end point of the horizontal line.
5. In the Rotate dialog box, select a handle in the bounding box icon to define the center of
rotation.
6. Enter the direction and angle of rotation.
7. Click Apply to see the effect and then OK to close the dialog box.
Skewing objects in freeform mode
When an object is in freeform mode, slant its shape by dragging the horizontal and vertical skew
handles. Skewing an object reshapes it by changing the relationship of the horizontal and vertical
axes to the skew centerpoint.
Canvas skews objects around a centerpoint that you can position to achieve the desired effect. Drag
the centerpoint to any position inside or outside the object. The location of the skew centerpoint
changes the effect of dragging a skew handle on the object.
You can also skew objects by clicking the Skew button in the Properties bar. Select a skew
option, then enter a degree value in the field, and press Enter.
To position the centerpoint on one of the freeform handles or in the center of the object, Shift-drag
the centerpoint to place it.
To skew an object horizontally:
Drag a horizontal skew handle to the left or right.
To skew vertically:
Drag a vertical skew handle up or down.
Transformed dimensions vs. untransformed dimensions
If you plan on transforming objects, you have the option of maintaining the object’s original
dimensions or allowing the object’s dimensions to be altered after the transformation.
Click on the Transform icon in the Properties bar and select either Transformed Dimensions or
Untransformed Dimensions.
188