User Guide

Glyph Window
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Pen (Contour) Tool
With the Contour tool you can create new contours or modify existing
contours in a more artistic manner than with the Edit tool. When you use
the Contour tool, you can draw new contours just as you do on paper.
FontLab will trace your drawing and replace it with a series of curves and
lines.
How to create a new contour
If you begin a contour in a free area (where the cursor has its ordinary
shape), you will define a new contour. If you want to begin a new contour
but its starting point is on an existing contour press the
CTRL key to force
FontLab to create a new contour.
How to modify an existing contour
When you move the cursor of the Contour tool onto an existing contour or
node, it changes. If you begin drawing (without holding down the
CTRL key)
the new contour will be inserted into the existing one. If the finishing point
of your drawing is on an existing contour also, and the starting and
finishing points are on the same contour, then the new drawing will replace
the part of the existing contour that lies between the starting and finishing
points.
How to draw a single curve
Hold the SHIFT key down when you release the mouse button after drawing
a new line. Your drawing will be approximated by a single curve. This is a
good way to draw a new contour step-by-step.