8.5

shape by dragging a curve handle. Press Option/Alt while dragging a smooth point to
create a curved segment and corner point.
4
If desired, edit the Bézier shape while you are still drawing it.
• To add a point to an existing segment of the shape, click the line segment where you want
the point to be.
• To delete a point from the active shape while you are drawing it, click the point.
5
To close the box, close the path by positioning the mouse pointer over the beginning of
the line and then click when the Close Box pointer displays.
When any of the drawing tools are active, you can press Command/Ctrl to temporarily
switch to the Select Point tool. When the Select Point tool is active, you can press
Command+Option/Ctrl+Alt to temporarily switch to the Item tool.
Resizing boxes
You can resize any box by modifying the size of its bounding box. A bounding box is a
nonprinting, rectangular shape that encloses every box. The box's Understanding handles
demarcate the bounding box. The best way to view the bounding box clearly is to use the
Item tool to select item handles on a Bézier box.
You can resize active boxes using any of the following methods:
•
Select the Item tool or a Content tool and move the mouse pointer over a selected
box's item handle to display the Resizing pointer. Click and drag the handle to a new
location to reduce or enlarge the box. Press Shift to maintain the box's aspect ratio. Press
Option/Alt to resize the box from the center. Press Command/Ctrl to resize the box contents
along with the box.
• Enter values in the W and H fields of the Classic or Space/Align tabs of the Measurements
palette to change the width and height, and then press Return/Enter.
• Choose Item > Modify (Command+M/Ctrl+M), and then click the Box tab. Enter values
in the Width and Height fields to precisely change the size of a box, and then click OK.
Reshaping boxes
You can change the shape of a box in three ways:
• You can change the shape entirely by choosing a different option from the Item > Shape
submenu.
• You can add and alter rounded corners to rectangular boxes by entering values in the
Corner Radius field (Item > Modify > Box tab). You can also use the Box Corner Radius
field in the Classic or Space/Align tab of the Measurements palette.
62 | A GUIDE TO QUARKXPRESS 8.5: PLUS EDITION
BOXES, LINES, AND TABLES