Using the Line Tool

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Flash offers a tool that does nothing but draw perfectly straight-line segments. By putting together several line segments, you can create a shape made of several straight sides, such as a pentagon or star.

To draw line segments:

1. In the Toolbox, select the line tool by clicking the line icon, or press N (Figure 2.2).

   Figure 2.2. Click the line icon in the Toolbox to select the line tool.

   

2. Move the pointer to the spot on the Stage where you want your line to begin.

   The pointer changes to a crosshair as it moves over the Stage area.

3. Click and drag to pull a line segment out from your starting point (Figure 2.3).

   Figure 2.3. Click and drag with the line tool's crosshair cursor. Flash previews the line as you draw. Release the mouse button, and the line takes on the attributes currently assigned to the strokes.

   

   Flash displays an outline preview of the linea simple form that doesn't show the line's color , style, and weight settings. A circle beneath the pointer indicates the line's endpoint.

4. Release the mouse button when the line is the right length and in the right position.

   Flash draws a line segment on the Stage, using the current stroke-color, stroke-style, and stroke-height settings (see "Setting Stroke Attributes" later in this chapter).

Tips

• The line is not set until you release the mouse button. You can shorten, lengthen, and reorient the line's direction or angle by dragging until you release the mouse button.

• Holding down the Shift key as you draw a line constrains it to the vertical, horizontal, or 45-degree angle position.

• If you're using a narrow line thickness , you may need to zoom in to see it accurately on-screen. On-screen, thin lines may look identical to slightly thicker lines unless you zoom in; they will print accurately, though.

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