Creating and Editing Freeforms

When you need to create a customized shape, use the PowerPoint freeform tools. Choose a freeform tool from the Lines category in the list of AutoShapes. Freeforms are like the drawings you make with a pen and paper, except that you use a mouse for your pen and a slide for your paper. A freeform shape can either be an open curve or a closed curve. You can edit a freeform by using the Edit Points command to alter the vertices that create the shape.

Draw a Freeform Polygon

Click the AutoShapes button on the Drawing toolbar, and then point to Lines.

Click the Freeform button.

Click the slide where you want to place the first vertex of the polygon.

Move the pointer, and then click to place the second point of the polygon. A line joins the two points.

Continue moving the mouse pointer and clicking to create additional sides of your polygon.

Finish the polygon. For a closed polygon, click near the starting point. For an open polygon, double-click the last point in the polygon.

Did You Know?

You can draw an object with both straight lines and curves . Click the AutoShapes button on the Drawing toolbar, point to Lines, and then click the Freeform button. Drag to draw freehand shapes , and then click and move the mouse to draw straight lines.

You can switch between a closed curve and an open curve . Right-click the freeform drawing, and then click Close Path or Open Path.

Draw a Curve

Click the AutoShapes button on the Drawing toolbar, and then point to Lines.

Click the Curve button.

Click the slide where you want to place the curve's starting point.

Click where you want your curve to bend. Repeat this step as often as you need to create bends.

Finish the curve. For a closed curve, click near the starting point. For an open curve, double-click the last point in the curve.

Scribble

Click the AutoShapes button on the Drawing toolbar, and then point to Lines.

Click the Scribble button.

Drag the pointer across the screen to draw freehand.

Did You Know?

You can format freeforms and curves . Enhance freeforms and curves just as you can enhance AutoShapes. For example, you can add color or a pattern, change the line style, flip or rotate them, and add shadow or 3-D effects.