RapidPath Basics

📄️ Selecting Objects

Before you can manipulate the properties of your objects (such as the size, shape, position or rotation) you must first tell RapidPath which item or items you want to change. You do this, by selecting your desired object(s). Sometimes you will need to select only one object,

📄️ Features Accessed by Selecting an Object

Once you have selected your object, a number of new tools become available. Its important that you understand what each tool does as you will come to rely upon them heavily.

📄️ Understanding Object Properties

An important feature accessed through selecting an object is editing the object's properties. Every single object in RapidPath has a set of properties which determine how that object appears on the canvas. The available properties will vary from object to object. The table below contains a few examples of different objects and some of their properties:

📄️ Moving Objects

Of course there will be times when you will need to move a placed object on the RapidPath canvas. This is accomplished using the move handle.

📄️ Control Points

Almost every element in RapidPath has at least one control point. A control point is a handle that allows you to alter the shape of an object. They appear in RapidPath as small red circles. Control points do different things to different kinds of objects, and different objects have different numbers of control points.

📄️ Rotating Objects

Frequently it will be necessary to rotate an item on a plan. There are three methods of rotation:

📄️ The Dimensions Input Panel

The Dimensions Input Panel tool allows you to:

📄️ Resizing Objects

There will almost always be two different ways of resizing an object in RapidPath. It is important to understand the difference between the two methods, and when to use each.

📄️ Setting Custom Scale and Rotation Points

Resizing and rotating objects can be enhanced by changing the point they scale from or rotate around.

📄️ Flipping Objects

As well as rotating objects, you can also flip them either horizontally or vertically using the flip buttons on the Flip toolbar. Note however, that the flip buttons are only ever visible when an object which can be flipped is selected. (Users of other drawing programs will recognize flipping as being equivalent to reflecting in the X or Y axes).

📄️ Grouping Objects

One of the most important techniques to master is grouping. By grouping objects together, you can manipulate them as one item. Grouping is also necessary if you wish to create and save your own signs. You can group any of the RapidPath elements together and the technique is the same, regardless of which elements you choose to group.