Specific Objects

Specific object formatting

In addition to the universal formatting options, the following types of objects also have their own set of specific controls: Text-Based Stencils, Smart Shapes, Grids and Tables, Image Cropping, and Icon Replacement.

Some of these objects have specific controls that open automatically in the Format Panel when you click on the object.

Others, like Images and Icons, have options that can be controlled directly on the object itself.

This article will explain each of these object types, and show you how to format them.

Text-Based Stencils

Text-Based stencils allow you to add written content to your designs.

You can quick-format text within stencils by double-clicking on the text area. The Quick-Format Text Window will pop up above the stencil, with the following options: Bold, Italics, Underline, Strike-through, Numbered and Bulleted lists, Link and Clear formatting.

For advanced formatting, go to the Text section of the Format Panel. Here, you can choose the Font family, Weight, Color and Size. You can also set Line height, Letter spacing, All caps/Small caps, Font style, and select Alignment options.

Smart Shapes

Smart Shapes are simple stencils that have specific formatting capabilities.

For example:

• The Callout stencil lets you change the callout-tip’s location, radius, width and height.
• The Wedge stencil lets you adjust the size of both the slice and the inner circle.

Grids and Tables

Syntax-based stencils take the form of tables, lists and menus. You’ll find them in the Common, Navigation, and Legacy categories.

Syntax-based stencils come with a default ‘syntax’ text that controls the formatting options. When you customize that text, the content within each cell, as well as the number of columns, rows, and list items will adjust automatically.

Crop Images

The Crop feature is unique to Images.

Cropping is non-destructive, meaning that, after cropping an image, you can always go back and re-crop it. This is handy when you want to use the same image repeatedly, but focus on different areas of interest within that image.

Your Image Library is account based, so you can reuse images on multiple projects within your account. This is particularly useful when working with logos and branded design elements, or with images that have multiple points of interest.

To crop images:

1. Double-click on an image to activate the cropping function
2. A black border will appear around the image
3. Use the black resize handles to crop your image
4. Click outside the image to complete the cropping process

Replace Icons

The Replace feature is unique to Icons.

When you are tweaking your design, you may need to swap out an icon for a preferable one – but want to avoid the hassle of resizing and styling the new, replacement icon. That’s where Replace comes in handy:

1. Locate your desired replacement icon in the Icon Library
2. Drag it to the page, and drop it on the Blue Dot that appears inside the original icon
3. The new icon will replace the old one – and inherit both its size and style