Add a Rectangle
- Last UpdatedJul 13, 2023
- 4 minute read
Use the Rectangle tool to draw rectangles and squares. Rectangles and squares can be moved, re-sized, reshaped, brought to the front and so on, and their properties edited just like other types of object.
To draw a rectangle:
-
Click the Rectangle tool.
-
Move the cursor to where you want the rectangle to start.
-
Click and drag the mouse to the opposite corner of the rectangle and release the mouse button. If you hold the Shift key before you start drawing the rectangle, it is drawn from its center outwards.
When you release the mouse button, the object properties dialog for the rectangle is displayed.
To draw a square:
-
Click the Rectangle tool.
-
Click (and hold) the Ctrl key.
-
Move the cursor to where you want the square to start and click (and hold) the mouse button.
-
Drag the cursor to the opposite corner of the square and release the mouse button. If you hold the Shift key (and the Ctrl key) before you start drawing the square, it is drawn from its center outwards.
When you release the mouse button, the object properties dialog for the square is displayed.
Rectangle Properties - Appearance (General)
Rectangles have the following general appearance properties.
|
Property |
Description |
|---|---|
|
[Line] Width |
The width of the line (in pixels). You can change the width by clicking the up and down arrows to the right of the field, or by entering another value in this field. If you make the line more than 1 pixel wide, it needs to be solid. |
|
[Line] Style |
The outline style of the rectangle. You can choose one of the following line styles:
To change the style, choose a style from the menu to the right of this field. |
|
[Line] Color |
The outline color of the rectangle. |
|
[Fill] Filled |
The Filled check box determines whether the object will be filled with a color. |
|
[Fill] Color |
The color with which the rectangle will be filled. The color that you select as your fill color here is static. To specify a fill color that changes with runtime conditions, click the Fill tab. If you have enabled the Fill (Color) properties, be aware that the color you select here will override the OFF color for Fill Color (On/Off), the ABC color for Fill Color (Multi-state), Array Color 0 for Fill Color (Array), and the At minimum color for Fill Color (Gradient). |
|
[Object type] Extra line |
Adds an extra line (1 pixel width) of lowlight color to the rectangle, if the rectangle is defined as Raised or Lowered (click the 3D Effects tab). |
|
[Gradient] Color |
Controls the color of the gradient fill between the fill color and the gradient color. This option is available only when the Filled and Gradient Fill check boxes are selected. The gradient is updated at runtime to reflect the gradient between the two colors selected. Gradient fills support flashing colors. Gradients will not rotate with an object; for example, if an object contains a left-to-right gradient fill and is rotated 90 degrees (either at runtime or in Graphics Builder), the gradient is still left to right. |
|
[Gradient] Direction |
The direction to be used for the gradient color. Use the table below as a guide to choose the gradient color direction you want.
Left to Right
Right to Left
Top to Bottom
Bottom to Top
Horizontal Gradient to Middle
Horizontal Gradient from Middle
Vertical Gradient to Middle
Vertical Gradient from Middle |
|
[Object type] Border |
Adds an extra line (1 pixel width) of black to the perimeter of the rectangle. |
|
[Object type] Corner Radius |
Controls the radius of the corners of the rectangle. Enter a value between 0 and 32. The higher the value, the more rounded the corners of the rectangle. When the radius is greater than 0, the Extra line and Border options are not available. |
For help on the remaining properties tabs, see Edit Common Object Properties.