Most objects in iCalamus documents are based on vector paths: lines, forms, frame borders, etc. They are all vector shapes. And they all have one thing in common: vector paths. Some can only have one path per object, some have multiple paths. Some have closed paths by default (shapes), some have open paths by default (lines). But they also divide into normal shapes and managed shapes.
| Normal shapes | The vector paths of normal shapes can be edited with the vector tools. You can move vector path points, help points, open and close paths, connect paths, etc. |
| Managed shapes | The vector paths of managed shapes cannot be edited with the
vector tools. You only have access to a pre-defined set of parameters
for these shapes. In the action menu of the Frame inspector and in the
relevant context menus, you find the Edit Shape Parametersmenu entry. |
Here is a description of the Paths submenu entries:
The end point of one path can be connected with the start point
of another path. It doesn't matter if the paths belong to two
different shape frames or if they are independent paths within one
shape frame.
Simply open the frame or frames and select a start point and an end point of two vector paths. Then this menu item becomes selectable and connects the selected paths. When the paths are not connected at the selected points, you may want to undo the connection and reverse the direction of one path.
This function opens the vector path in a frame.
This function closes the vector path in a frame. When you choose this function, an additional vector line will be drawn from the current end point to the start point. This way you will quickly get a closed vector path.
Each vector path has a start and an end. This menu item reverses the drawing direction of a path. This can be seen very clearly e.g. when you use lines with different line end objects for path start and path end (arrow tips).
