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Canvas Tools

The canvas provides tools for manipulating designs and preparing your laser jobs.

Selection Tool​

Select, move, and transform objects on the canvas.

Usage:

  • Click to select single object
  • ctrl + click to select multiple objects
  • Drag to create selection box
  • Click and drag selected objects to move

Modifier Keys During Drag:

Holding modifier keys while dragging changes the behavior:

  • ctrl while moving: Snaps the object to the 5mm grid, making it easy to align objects precisely
  • ctrl while rotating: Snaps rotation to 5-degree increments for consistent angles
  • shift while scaling: Constrains proportions (scales uniformly)
  • ctrl while scaling: Scales from the center instead of the opposite edge

Transform Handles:

  • Corner handles: Scale proportionally (hold shift to scale non-proportionally)
  • Edge handles: Scale in one direction
  • Rotation handle: Click once on a selected object to toggle rotation mode, then drag to rotate around the center point

Keyboard Shortcuts:

  • arrow-keys: Move selected objects by 1 unit
  • shift+arrow-keys: Move by 10 units
  • ctrl+d: Duplicate selection

Navigate the canvas using your mouse and keyboard:

Pan:

  • Middle-click and drag
  • Hold space with any tool active and drag

Zoom:

  • ctrl+"+": Zoom in
  • ctrl+"-": Zoom out
  • ctrl+0: Reset zoom (fit to window)
  • Mouse wheel: Zoom in/out at cursor position

Alignment Tools​

Align and distribute multiple objects.

Alignment Options:

  • Align left edges
  • Align right edges
  • Align top edges
  • Align bottom edges
  • Align horizontal centers
  • Align vertical centers

Distribution Options:

  • Distribute horizontally
  • Distribute vertically
  • Equal spacing

Usage:

  1. Select multiple objects
  2. Choose alignment/distribution option from toolbar or Edit menu
  3. Objects align/distribute immediately

Object Transformation​

Transform objects numerically for precision.

Accessible via Properties Panel:

  • Position (X, Y): Exact coordinates
  • Size (W, H): Exact dimensions
  • Rotation: Degrees from horizontal
  • Scale: Percentage of original size

Tips for Efficient Canvas Use​

  1. Use keyboard shortcuts: Much faster than toolbar clicks
  2. Master pan and zoom: Essential for large or detailed designs
  3. Group related objects: Easier to move and organize (ctrl+g to group)

Vector Editing​

Double-click a workpiece on the canvas to enter vector editing mode. In this mode, you can select and delete individual vector segments of the workpiece.

To exit vector editing mode, click outside the workpiece or press Escape.

Next: 3D View →