Changes to Shapes

What’s New in AliasStudio > Painting >

Changes to Shapes

Major changes have been made to the Shape tools in this release to improve the workflow.

Different option settings for the Shape tools can now be saved:

For the original Shapes tools in the palette.
For any instances saved in the shelves.
For any instances saved in the marking menu.

You can save the options of the shape tools (instances) in the shelves and marking menu. The different instances can point to different option settings, enabling you to create a set of favorites.

We have also introduced a new window called the Shape Editor which offers access to all the outline and fill parameters previously only accessible in the Control Panel. See details further down.

To create various shape tool instances on the shelf

Use the middle mouse button to drag a shape tool from the palette to a shelf.
A new instance of the tool is created in the shelf.
Click the new instance of the tool
The instance is made the active tool.

The Shape Editor opens up. It displays the same settings as the original tool in the palette.
Select new values for the Outline parameters.
Select new values for the Fill parameters.
The new values are displayed in the Shape Editor

The new settings are saved for this instance.
Exit the tool by choosing Pick > Object.
Pick Object becomes the active tool, and the Shape Editor appears empty
Repeat steps 1-4 for each variation of the shape tool you want.

To use saved shape tool instances

Open the Paint window and the Canvas Layer Editor.
Select the active canvas from the pull-down menu.
Create curves using the Blend Curves tools or other curve tools.
From these curves, create new shapes using tool instances.
Each shape is created with the settings previously saved for the tool instance that created it.

To edit shape outline and fill parameter settings when the Control Panel is closed

Choose Pick > Object.
Choose Windows > Editors > Shape Editor.
The empty Shape Editor opens up.
Pick a curve that forms a shape.
The selected shape's Outline and Fill values are displayed in the Shape Editor
Modify the Outline and Fill values displayed in the Shape Editor.
The shape simultaneously updates to reflect these new values.

The Shape Editor

A Shape's parameters can be edited without the use of the Paint Control Panel by using the Shape Editor. The Shape Editor offers access to all the outline and fill parameters previously only accessible in the Control Panel.

The Shape Editor can be opened:

By selecting any Shape tool in the palette, shelf or marking menu.
By selecting Windows > Editors > Shape editor

The values the Shape Editor displays depend on whether a Shape tool or an existing shape is active.

If a Shape tool is active, the settings for that tool are shown.
If an existing Shape is selected (picked), the settings for that Shape are shown.
If many Shapes are selected, the settings for the first Shape picked are shown (as in AliasStudio 2008)
If neither a Shape tool nor a Shape is active, the editor is empty.

Shape creation and editing

In AliasStudio 2008, shape creation and editing were intrinsically linked. Changes made during editing were affecting subsequent shape creation. In AliasStudio 2009, this link has been broken in order for each instance to keep its own settings.

Shape creation in AliasStudio 2009

When you select a Shape tool, the parameters previously saved for that tool are displayed in the Shape Editor. They are applied to any shape created within the tool.

If you edit the parameters of a new shape while still inside the tool, these new settings are saved for the tool.

If you quit the tool before editing the parameters, these new settings apply only to the active shape.

Shape editing in AliasStudio 2009

Shapes can still be edited exactly as in AliasStudio 2008. When selecting multiple shapes:

The values for the shape that was first selected are displayed.
Modifying the values of one parameter apply that parameter value to all selected shapes.
This needs to be done one slider at a time. Each slider may need to be modified if you wish to make all parameters identical between two or more existing shapes.

Copying parameters

In previous versions, the intrinsic link between creation and editing enabled the implicit transfer of settings between existing shapes and shape creation tools.

In AliasStudio 2009, settings can be explicitly transferred between shapes or tools. In the Shape Editor, values can now be copied and pasted for:

Only the Outline
Only the Fill
Both Outline and Fill (All)

You can copy multiple parameter settings between existing Shapes, and from existing Shapes to a tool — as well as from any tool to existing Shapes.

Minor changes to the Outline and Fill options

The visibility check marks for the Outline and Fill are more prominent:

The check box has been moved to the top of each section.
The check box affects the visibility of the parameters in the editor window.
The check box replaces the collapsible tab for all intents and purposes.

In AliasStudio 2009, Shape Outline and Shape Fill are regrouped into a single tool called Make image shape located under Paint > Shape.

Because option settings can be saved, a Shape Outline tool now can be changed to a Shape Fill tool (by changing the Shape Outline and Shape Fill settings: on /off), and vice-versa.

The Paint Control Panel

Shape parameters are still editable in the Control Panel.

Outline and Fill parameters look identical in the Control Panel and in the Shape Editor
The Auto-Shape's options are only available in the Control Panel.
The Auto-Shape's options have been regrouped into a single tab (one-level)