# How to use the Drawing Tools ## Canvas Toolbar * From your [**Canvas**](https://www.canoa.supply/canvas) dashboard, either select one of your Canvas boards or click on + New Canvas. * At the top is your toolbar is where you can access the drawing functions quickly. * Click on the **Pen** icon and select either **Polyline,** **Rectangle** or **Circle**. As a shortcut, you can type `P` to draw a straight polyline, `R` to draw rectangles or `E` to draw a circle.

{% hint style="info" %} A polyline is a straight line. Use polylines to draw custom shapes and accurate floor plans and layouts of your space! An ellipse is a circle or oval. Hold down the `Shift Key`to draw a perfect circle. {% endhint %} ## Drawing a Polyline * Select either **Polyline** from the toolbar or type **`P`** and click on the area of your Canvas where you want to start your polyline. * Holding down the `shift key` while drawing your polyline constrains the angle of the line you're creating and will allow you to draw a straight line in the direction you drag your cursor. * Clicking your left mouse key will create a connected anchor point * Click `Enter` to complete the polyline. * Click `ESC` to start your drawing over.

Drawing a straight, or constrained, line with polylines

### Drawing a Precise Polyline * You can draw lines with precise dimensions in Canvas. With the Polyline tool activated, type in your desired **length** in any format (ft, in, cm, etc.) into the designated box at the bottom of your screen. * Click**`Enter`** to accept your inputs. * Now place the end point of that line segment to your liking, knowing that it is now dimensioned to your desired measurement. * Remember, if you want a straight line, hold down the `Shift` key. * A second polyline will automatically begin. To complete and exit your drawing, click **`Enter`**.

Using precise polylines to create a layout of a 12' x 15' bedroom

### Drawing a Freeform Custom Shape with Polylines * Select either **Polyline** from the toolbar or type **`P`** and click on the area of your Canvas where you want to start your polyline. * With each mouse click, an anchor point is placed. * To close your shape, click on your first anchor point. * When your drawing is complete, click `Enter`.

## Drawing a Rectangle * Select **Rectangle** from the toolbar or type **`R`** and click on the area of your Canvas where you'd like to place your shape. * Click once to start drawing your Rectangle. When you are done drawing, click a second time to complete your rectangle. ### Drawing Precise Rectangles: * You can draw and edit squares and rectangles to precise dimensions in Canvas. With the Rectangle tool activated, type in your desired **width** and **height** in any format into the designated box at the bottom of your screen. * Dimensions are automatically converted to **feet** and **inches**. * Use `Tab` to go between inputs, and `Tab` or **`Enter`** to accept your inputs.

Dimensions appear when actively drawing a Rectangle.

You can also hold down `Shift` to maintain equal proportions of your rectangle. ## Drawing a Circle * Select **Circle** from the toolbar or type **`E`** and click on the area of your Canvas where you'd like to place your shape. * Hold the left mouse key and drag to create your ellipse, or circle. Holding the `shift` key while dragging will create a perfect circle. Let go of your mouse key when you're done. ### Drawing Precise Cirlces: * You can draw and edit circles to precise dimensions in Canvas. With the Circle tool activated, type in your desired **width** and **height** in any format into the designated box at the bottom of your screen. * Dimensions are automatically converted to **feet** and **inches**. * Use `Tab` to go between inputs, and `Tab` or `Enter` to accept your inputs.

Dimensions appear when actively drawing an ellipse.

## Resizing your Shape * Click on your shape and hover along the corners or edges until the shape arrows are activated. Hold down your left mouse key and drag to resize. * To resize with a fixed aspect ratio, hold down both your **`shift` key** and left mouse key and drag to resize. ## Formatting Shapes * There are formatting options available for your shapes. Left mouse click and then drag-select to select your line or click on your shape to select your shape. * When selected, the formatting icons will appear below your shape. You have the option to **set fill style** or **set stroke style**. * Fill = Inside the shape * Stroke = Border of the shape

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