Shapes are predefined objects that you can insert in your HelpXplain projects. They are vector-based and will always look optimally sharp no matter how you scale them.

Inserting shapes

Shapes are inserted with the Shape tool in the Home tab.

Shape operations

Fill

You can fill shapes with color, bitmap images and gradients with the Fill tool. Select the shape, then open the Fill section in the Properties pane on the right and configure the fill.

Replacing the shape with another shape

Select the shape, then open the Outline section in the Properties pane on the right and select a different shape with the Change Shape option.

Shapes with pointers, multiple pointers

•When a shape has a pointer you can adjust the pointer by dragging on the yellow handle on the pointer tip.

•Hold CTRL or SHIFT to drag the pointer in fixed increments or to snap it to the grid, if snap to grid is activated in the View menu.

•If a shape supports multiple pointers you can add pointers by dragging on the blue (+) handle.

•You can delete a pointer by dragging the yellow pointer handle into the body of the shape.

Drop shadow

Select the shape, then open the Opacity & Shadow section in the Properties pane on the right and configure the shadow.

Change the outline

Select the shape, then open the Outline section in the Properties pane on the right and configure the outline.

Change the curve of the corners

Some shapes have curved corners that you can adjust. These corners have two small yellow handles at one corner. Moving these handles along the border from the corner changes the curve of the corner: