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Node Editing
Has anyone experimented with node editing? It's one way to make the most of your clipart. Let's say you have a vector graphic (like a .wmf or .cgm) with a dog and a cat, and you want to remove the dog. Sometimes  you can just select the dog, delete it and be done with it. But more often, you may find that once you delete the dog, you will be left with a dog-shaped black shadow that you will need to get rid of. You can't just delete it because the shadow is not a separate object. That's where node editing comes in handy. Just click the Edit button (right above the A text button), and chose edit points. You can then select all the points that make up the black shadow, and delete them. Voila, the shadow AND the dog are now gone.
Continuing on with the subject of nodes...there sure are a lot of things you can do once you get the hang of node editing. For instance, let's say you need a half circle. With Draw, you can draw a circle easy enough.  Then, to make it a half circle, just select your circle, and click the edit button. Now, choose edit points. Click one of the nodes on your circle. From the sub menu that pops up, choose the button that shows the scissors (this button will allow you to slice your shape at whichever node you select). Click the node on the opposite side of the circle. Click the scissor button once more, then click finished. Now, deselect your circle, and then click right on the edge of it. You will be able to separate the circle into two halves. If you want to fill your half circle with color, you will need to draw a straight line connecting the two end points, select the line and the half circle, and choose the "Connect Closed" option on the tool menu. Now you can fill it.
Submitted by Linda M. |
