Straight Lines

**pauland** · 31 July 2007, 01:48 PM

OK, I'm almost embarrassed to ask this because someone will have a quick answer and I should really know anyway (after all these years).

I want to make straight lines at 90 degrees to each other. If I start off clicking away in the shape editor and hold down the ctrl key I can get great vertical or horizontal lines. Click, mouse-right, ctrl-click (nice horizontal line), mouse-right, ctrl-click (extended horizontal line), mouse-down, ctrl-click (bendy mess where I wanted a vertical line and right-angle).

How can I click away merrily drawing horizontal or vertical paths, whilst taking the least possible care about where I place my mouse?

Paul

[edit: 45 degree lines would be cool too!]

**haakoo** · 31 July 2007, 01:51 PM

hi,

click(hold ctrl key down) goto the right> click> go down>click>done

Hans

**pauland** · 31 July 2007, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by haakoo

hi,

click(hold ctrl key down) goto the right> click> go down>click>done

Hans

Doesn't do it for me! The second and third clicks must be constrained, not freehand.

**pauland** · 31 July 2007, 01:57 PM

I have a feeling that someone is going to mention the grid... ..please don't!

**haakoo** · 31 July 2007, 02:02 PM

Did you hold down the ctrlkey all the way,till the last click?

**a4hire** · 31 July 2007, 02:13 PM

The control key does work but in your shape editor tool make sure that you have the the straight line selected and not the curve. In this pic the curve is selected and on the right is the straight line selection.

**haakoo** · 31 July 2007, 02:18 PM

Bruce,

I forgot to mention that,the ctrlkey constrains the line to straight/90 or 45 degrees
(When used with shape-editortool it constraines the handles straight/90 or 45 degrees after you used the freehandtool)

Hans

**David O'Neil** · 31 July 2007, 02:36 PM

Hold down the Ctrl AND the ALT keys simultaneously. Click your first point, drag to where you want a corner

THEN release the ALT key, and immediately repress it. Drag your next portion of the line. Continue in like manner for remaining lines.