Working with VectorStyler

Working with VectorStyler

The VectorStyler workspace contains the user interface elements needed to manipulate artworks, illustrations and documents. The workspace consists of multiple components and can be rearranged and configured according to the users workflow. This chapter documents the general aspects of working with VectorStyler and the main elements of the VectorStyler workspace.

In VectorStyler, it is typical that a command or a change can be accessed in multiple different ways. For example image effects can be applied to objects from the application menu, from the Image Effects panel, from the Layers panel or from the Appearance panel. Many of the attributes applied to objects (for example gradients, patterns, shape or image effects) can be modified by adjusting values in a panel or by editing the attribute or effect interactively on the canvas. It is also possible to configure the individual elements of the workspace and which one of these elements are present. This allows the adaptation of VectorStyler to different workflows and working styles.

Throughout the VectorStyler user interface the meaning of a tool, widget or user interface element is documented through tool tips. Tool tips are small descriptions of a user interface element shown when hovering the mouse cursor over the UI element for a brief time. Most of these tool tip descriptions provide sufficient information to quickly learn and use VectorStyler.

The VectorStyler workspace is described in the following sections:

  • Workspace - shows the location of typical elements found in the workspace.
  • Application Menu - gives a quick reference of the VectorStyler application menu structure, by giving a brief description of each menu command.
  • Toolbox - gives a quick reference of the main toolbox used in VectorStyler. Interactive tools used to manipulate objects or effects are accessed from this toolbox.
  • Contextual Menu - describes how to select commands from the contextual menu.
  • Property Panel - describes the Properties panel used to quickly access common properties of the selected objects.
  • Contextual Toolbar - the Context panel (similarly to the Properties panel) provides a quick access to properties of objects.
  • Color Palette Bar - a color palette bar can be attached to the side of the VectorStyler window, providing access to colors of a palette (by default, the document palette).
  • Creating, Opening and Saving Documents - a description on how to create, open and save documents with VectorStyler.
  • Document Setup - document setup and document level options.
  • Working with Panels - describe how to arrange and use panels to access various features of VectorStyler.
  • Basics of Customization - describes the basics of customizing the VectorStyler workspace and how to save and reuse different workspace customizations.
  • Viewing Options - describes common document viewing options accessible from the View menu.
  • Display Options - a detailed description of the Display Options command of the View menu.
  • Shortcuts - VectorStyler shortcuts and their assigned commands when using it on Mac OS.
  • Shortcuts - VectorStyler shortcuts and their assigned commands when using it on Windows.