Using Symbols

Using Symbols

Using Symbols

You can use symbols to enhance your illustrations. You can open the Symbol Library palette, and drag and drop symbols onto your illustration, you can use Symbol pen strokes to draw a line or shape using symbols, or you can use a symbol fill ink.

Using the Symbol Library Palette

The Symbol Library palette comes stocked with a range of symbols you can use in your Canvas X documents, or you can create your own symbols and add them to the Symbol Library. You can create symbols from any vector, text, group, or paint object. If you change the symbol in the palette, all the copies in the document will also change. For example, if you add a logo to the Symbol Library, and the logo is updated, you can simply replace the logo in the Symbol Library, and all instances of the logo in your document are updated.

To Open the Symbol Library Palette:

Choose Window | Palettes | Symbol Library...

To Place Symbols:

  1. Select the symbol in the Symbol Library palette.
  2. Move the cursor into the layout area. The cursor changes to a place pointer.
  3. Do one of the following:
    • To place the symbol at its original size, click in the layout area where you want to place the upper left corner of the symbol.
    • To scale the symbol while you place it, drag the pointer to set the bounding box size. Canvas X Draw scales the symbol to fit the bounding box.

To constrain the proportions as you drag the point to set the bounding box, press Shift while scaling.

(missing or bad snippet)

Using Symbol Pen Strokes

To Draw with a Symbol Stroke:

  1. Click the Strokes icon in the Toolbox.
  2. Drag the pop up palette away to see the full palette.
  3. In the Presets palette, on the Pen tab, click the Symbol icon. 
  4. Do one of the following:
    • Select one of the preset symbol strokes.
    • Click the Edit button to create a new symbol stroke.
  5. Click one of the drawing tools in the Toolbox and draw an object.

To Create a Custom Symbol Stroke:

  1. Click the Strokes icon in the Toolbox.
  2. Drag the pop up palette away to see the full palette.
  3. In the Presets palette, on the Pen tab, click the Symbol icon.
  4. Click the Edit button to create a new symbol stroke.
  5. Select a symbol, and specify the width, color, gap, offset, angle and centerline of the stroke.
  6. Click the Add Preset button.

Using Symbol Fill Inks

To Apply Symbol Inks:

  1. In the Presets palette, select the Pen or Fill Ink icon.
  2. Click the Symbol ink icon.
  3. Select a color.
  4. Do one of the following:
    • If an object is selected, click on the Symbol Ink cell.
    • If an object is not selected, click on the Symbol Ink cell and drag the ink to the object.

To Create Symbol Inks:

  1. In your Canvas X document, create an object to use in your new Symbol Ink.

    2. If you want to use more than one object or object type in the Symbol Ink, you must group the objects.

  2. Deselect any objects in your Canvas X document by pressing Esc.
  3. In the Presets palette, click the Symbol Ink icon , and then the Edit button to open the Symbol manager.
  4. Click the Create button.
  5. Click the object in your document that you want to use in the Symbol Ink.
  6. Adjust the settings for the Symbol Ink in the Symbol manager.
  7. Click the Add Preset button to add the new symbol ink to the preset inks.

    • Recent Articles

    • Comprehensive Feature Guide for canvasxdraw

      Comprehensive Feature Guide The Professional Standard for 2D Technical Illustration & Documentation. 1. Unified Vector & Raster Workflow Unlike many design suites that require switching between different apps for photos and drawings, canvasxdraw ...

    • 2D Illustration Cheat Sheet

      2D Illustration Cheat Sheet for our trial-ers Master the technical edge in minutes. 1. The Power Shortcuts (Must-Knows) > Direct Edit Mode: Double-Click any object to enter edit mode, or press Cmd + E (Mac) / Ctrl + E (Win). > The "Magic" ...

    • 2D Illustration Cheat Sheet

      2D Illustration Cheat Sheet for our trial-ers Master the technical edge in minutes. 1. The Power Shortcuts (Must-Knows) > Direct Edit Mode: Double-Click any object to enter edit mode, or press Cmd + E (Mac) / Ctrl + E (Win). > The "Magic" ...

    • Canvas X Draw Menus

      Canvas X Draw Menus Canvas X Draw File Edit Text Object Path About Canvas X Draw... Preferences... Check for Updates Services Hide Canvas X Draw Hide Others Show All Quit Canvas X Draw New... Open... Open Recent Close Place... Import Images... Symbol ...

    • Privacy at a Glance: Vector GFX Data Handling

      Privacy at a Glance: Vector GFX Data Handling Feature Standard License Air-Gapped License Who can see your files? Only You. Vector GFX has zero access to your drawings or IP. Only You. Vector GFX has zero access to your drawings or IP. What user info ...

    • Related Articles

    • Using Symbols

      Using Symbols You can use symbols to enhance your illustrations. You can open the Symbol Library palette, and drag and drop symbols onto your illustration, you can use Symbol pen strokes to draw a line or shape using symbols, or you can use a symbol ...

    • Using Symbols

      Using Symbols You can use symbols to enhance your illustrations. You can open the Symbol Library palette, and drag and drop symbols onto your illustration, or you can use Symbol inks to draw a line or shape. Using the Symbol Library Palette The ...

    • Using Symbols

      Using Symbols You can use symbols to enhance your illustrations. You can open the Symbol Library palette, and drag and drop symbols onto your illustration, or you can use Symbol inks to draw a line or shape. Using the Symbol Library Palette The ...

    • Using the Painting Tools

      Using the Painting Tools Canvas X Draw provides a full range of painting tools, including the digital equivalents of markers, airbrushes, and paintbrushes, tools for creating effects like neon and blends, and tools for retouching, color-correction, ...

    • Using the Painting Tools

      Using the Painting Tools Canvas X Draw provides a full range of painting tools, including the digital equivalents of markers, airbrushes, and paintbrushes, tools for creating effects like neon and blends, and tools for retouching, color-correction, ...

    • Popular Articles

    • The new macOS Native/Universal app has arrived!

      Exciting news for Mac users! The first universal native app is here! This new version is be compatable with all macOS versions and chipsets. Subscription users can download here Perpetual users looking to upgrade click here Free trials here Thank ...

    • Welcome to Vector GFX!

      Please bear with us as we are busy updating all of our help content. If you need immeadiate assistance submit a ticket at https://vgfxsupport.zohodesk.com/portal/en/newticket or e-mail info@vectorgfx.net. Other important links: New Website: ...

    • Vector GFX: Quality Assurance Program Overview

      Vector GFX: Quality Assurance Program Overview At Vector GFX, we are committed to delivering high-performance, stable desktop solutions. Because our software resides directly on our customers' local environments, our Quality Assurance (QA) program ...

    • How many computers can I put a license on?

      Overview: Each license can only be used to register the program on two computers. If you are looking to get more than one license, we can offer a discount for multiple licenses. Please contact our sales department at sales@vectorgfx.net. Applies To: ...

    • What is the difference between Canvas X Draw and Canvas X Pro (Canvas GFX)?