making a huge autoshape object Randy Person 28.09.2006 20:00:01 I need to trace a large, complex shape from a detailed state map to create a single autoshape. To work accurately, I need to enlarge the base so I can see only part of it at a time. I can't move my position on the base while continuing to draw the autoshape line. I have successfully created an outline by doing several separate but touching lines, then grouping them. However, the area within this perimeter does not respond to format commands, such as fill, as it would if the shape was completed on a single pass. I need an end result that works as a unit. Thanks -- Randy Person

RE: making a huge autoshape object John Wilson 28.09.2006 20:16:04 In the draw menu go to autoshapes > lines and choose either the scribble tool (if you've a steady hand) or the freeform tool to trace the shapes. If you need to adjust right click and choose edit points -- Did that answer the question / help? _____________________________ John Wilson Microsoft Certified Office Specialist http://www.technologytrish.co.uk/ppttipshome.html "Randy Person" wrote: [Quoted Text] > I need to trace a large, complex shape from a detailed state map to create a > single autoshape. To work accurately, I need to enlarge the base so I can > see only part of it at a time. I can't move my position on the base while > continuing to draw the autoshape line. I have successfully created an > outline by doing several separate but touching lines, then grouping them. > However, the area within this perimeter does not respond to format commands, > such as fill, as it would if the shape was completed on a single pass. I > need an end result that works as a unit. > > Thanks > -- > Randy Person

RE: making a huge autoshape object Randy Person 29.09.2006 14:37:02 Sorry, John, that's not the problem. I'm already using Freeform (which lets you scribble when you want to) for my tracer. For small or very general shapes, it works fine. My current challenge is that I need to capture details, so I'm working in the center screen of PowerPoint at 200% enlargement. Since it's a large area, I can only see a small part of the perimeter of my shape at one time. I can't find a way to make the working screen move as I'm drawing so that I can complete the object in one pass. So I trace what I can see, end the Freeform line, move the work area, and trace some more. I have linked a series of Freeform lines to get a single perimeter line, but it does not translate to a single AutoShape. When I try to fill in the shape with color, I get very strange bits and pieces of fill, some of which are outside the boundaries of my shape (but in a line connecting extreme points). I need to wind up with a well-behaved AutoShape, whether it's drawn all at once or assembled from parts. -- Randy Person "John Wilson" wrote: [Quoted Text] > In the draw menu go to autoshapes > lines and choose either the scribble tool > (if you've a steady hand) or the freeform tool to trace the shapes. If you > need to adjust right click and choose edit points > -- > > Did that answer the question / help? > _____________________________ > John Wilson > Microsoft Certified Office Specialist > http://www.technologytrish.co.uk/ppttipshome.html > > > "Randy Person" wrote: > > > I need to trace a large, complex shape from a detailed state map to create a > > single autoshape. To work accurately, I need to enlarge the base so I can > > see only part of it at a time. I can't move my position on the base while > > continuing to draw the autoshape line. I have successfully created an > > outline by doing several separate but touching lines, then grouping them. > > However, the area within this perimeter does not respond to format commands, > > such as fill, as it would if the shape was completed on a single pass. I > > need an end result that works as a unit. > > > > Thanks > > -- > > Randy Person

RE: making a huge autoshape object John Wilson 29.09.2006 15:43:02 Sorry that want very clear. I meant initially work at a scale where you can see everything to get a rough outline and then use edit points to adjust by adding points / changing point type and dragging points. -- Did that answer the question / help? _____________________________ John Wilson Microsoft Certified Office Specialist http://www.technologytrish.co.uk/ppttipshome.html "Randy Person" wrote: [Quoted Text] > Sorry, John, that's not the problem. I'm already using Freeform (which lets > you scribble when you want to) for my tracer. For small or very general > shapes, it works fine. My current challenge is that I need to capture > details, so I'm working in the center screen of PowerPoint at 200% > enlargement. Since it's a large area, I can only see a small part of the > perimeter of my shape at one time. I can't find a way to make the working > screen move as I'm drawing so that I can complete the object in one pass. So > I trace what I can see, end the Freeform line, move the work area, and trace > some more. I have linked a series of Freeform lines to get a single > perimeter line, but it does not translate to a single AutoShape. When I try > to fill in the shape with color, I get very strange bits and pieces of fill, > some of which are outside the boundaries of my shape (but in a line > connecting extreme points). I need to wind up with a well-behaved AutoShape, > whether it's drawn all at once or assembled from parts. > -- > Randy Person > > > "John Wilson" wrote: > > > In the draw menu go to autoshapes > lines and choose either the scribble tool > > (if you've a steady hand) or the freeform tool to trace the shapes. If you > > need to adjust right click and choose edit points > > -- > > > > Did that answer the question / help? > > _____________________________ > > John Wilson > > Microsoft Certified Office Specialist > > http://www.technologytrish.co.uk/ppttipshome.html > > > > > > "Randy Person" wrote: > > > > > I need to trace a large, complex shape from a detailed state map to create a > > > single autoshape. To work accurately, I need to enlarge the base so I can > > > see only part of it at a time. I can't move my position on the base while > > > continuing to draw the autoshape line. I have successfully created an > > > outline by doing several separate but touching lines, then grouping them. > > > However, the area within this perimeter does not respond to format commands, > > > such as fill, as it would if the shape was completed on a single pass. I > > > need an end result that works as a unit. > > > > > > Thanks > > > -- > > > Randy Person

RE: making a huge autoshape object Randy Person 29.09.2006 16:58:03 Thanks for the clarification, John. I understand your point now. I'll experiment with it shortly, and let you know the results. -- Randy Person "John Wilson" wrote: [Quoted Text] > Sorry that want very clear. I meant initially work at a scale where you can > see everything to get a rough outline and then use edit points to adjust by > adding points / changing point type and dragging points. > -- > > Did that answer the question / help? > _____________________________ > John Wilson > Microsoft Certified Office Specialist > http://www.technologytrish.co.uk/ppttipshome.html > > > "Randy Person" wrote: > > > Sorry, John, that's not the problem. I'm already using Freeform (which lets > > you scribble when you want to) for my tracer. For small or very general > > shapes, it works fine. My current challenge is that I need to capture > > details, so I'm working in the center screen of PowerPoint at 200% > > enlargement. Since it's a large area, I can only see a small part of the > > perimeter of my shape at one time. I can't find a way to make the working > > screen move as I'm drawing so that I can complete the object in one pass. So > > I trace what I can see, end the Freeform line, move the work area, and trace > > some more. I have linked a series of Freeform lines to get a single > > perimeter line, but it does not translate to a single AutoShape. When I try > > to fill in the shape with color, I get very strange bits and pieces of fill, > > some of which are outside the boundaries of my shape (but in a line > > connecting extreme points). I need to wind up with a well-behaved AutoShape, > > whether it's drawn all at once or assembled from parts. > > -- > > Randy Person > > > > > > "John Wilson" wrote: > > > > > In the draw menu go to autoshapes > lines and choose either the scribble tool > > > (if you've a steady hand) or the freeform tool to trace the shapes. If you > > > need to adjust right click and choose edit points > > > -- > > > > > > Did that answer the question / help? > > > _____________________________ > > > John Wilson > > > Microsoft Certified Office Specialist > > > http://www.technologytrish.co.uk/ppttipshome.html > > > > > > > > > "Randy Person" wrote: > > > > > > > I need to trace a large, complex shape from a detailed state map to create a > > > > single autoshape. To work accurately, I need to enlarge the base so I can > > > > see only part of it at a time. I can't move my position on the base while > > > > continuing to draw the autoshape line. I have successfully created an > > > > outline by doing several separate but touching lines, then grouping them. > > > > However, the area within this perimeter does not respond to format commands, > > > > such as fill, as it would if the shape was completed on a single pass. I > > > > need an end result that works as a unit. > > > > > > > > Thanks > > > > -- > > > > Randy Person

RE: making a huge autoshape object Randy Person 29.09.2006 22:27:01 John, I found that your idea to obtain a coarse shape at first, then refine it with edit shapes, is a very workable solution. Once I got the basic outline, I was able to work at full magnification to do a neat job. Once shrunk back to viewing size, it looks really crisp and accurate. For a look at what I'm dealing with, find a map of Washington state, USA. Notice in particluar the Puget Sound region (near Seattle and Tacoma). You have gotten my project back on track. Thank you. -- Randy Person "John Wilson" wrote: [Quoted Text] > Sorry that want very clear. I meant initially work at a scale where you can > see everything to get a rough outline and then use edit points to adjust by > adding points / changing point type and dragging points. > -- > > Did that answer the question / help? > _____________________________ > John Wilson > Microsoft Certified Office Specialist > http://www.technologytrish.co.uk/ppttipshome.html > > > "Randy Person" wrote: > > > Sorry, John, that's not the problem. I'm already using Freeform (which lets > > you scribble when you want to) for my tracer. For small or very general > > shapes, it works fine. My current challenge is that I need to capture > > details, so I'm working in the center screen of PowerPoint at 200% > > enlargement. Since it's a large area, I can only see a small part of the > > perimeter of my shape at one time. I can't find a way to make the working > > screen move as I'm drawing so that I can complete the object in one pass. So > > I trace what I can see, end the Freeform line, move the work area, and trace > > some more. I have linked a series of Freeform lines to get a single > > perimeter line, but it does not translate to a single AutoShape. When I try > > to fill in the shape with color, I get very strange bits and pieces of fill, > > some of which are outside the boundaries of my shape (but in a line > > connecting extreme points). I need to wind up with a well-behaved AutoShape, > > whether it's drawn all at once or assembled from parts. > > -- > > Randy Person > > > > > > "John Wilson" wrote: > > > > > In the draw menu go to autoshapes > lines and choose either the scribble tool > > > (if you've a steady hand) or the freeform tool to trace the shapes. If you > > > need to adjust right click and choose edit points > > > -- > > > > > > Did that answer the question / help? > > > _____________________________ > > > John Wilson > > > Microsoft Certified Office Specialist > > > http://www.technologytrish.co.uk/ppttipshome.html > > > > > > > > > "Randy Person" wrote: > > > > > > > I need to trace a large, complex shape from a detailed state map to create a > > > > single autoshape. To work accurately, I need to enlarge the base so I can > > > > see only part of it at a time. I can't move my position on the base while > > > > continuing to draw the autoshape line. I have successfully created an > > > > outline by doing several separate but touching lines, then grouping them. > > > > However, the area within this perimeter does not respond to format commands, > > > > such as fill, as it would if the shape was completed on a single pass. I > > > > need an end result that works as a unit. > > > > > > > > Thanks > > > > -- > > > > Randy Person

RE: making a huge autoshape object John Wilson 30.09.2006 11:34:01 That's good Once you get the hang of how different point types work and how to drag them it's amazing what you can draw. If you can find someone who's draws cartoons with flash they'll be able to show you some amazing stuff with this in Flash (where it's much quicker) -- Did that answer the question / help? _____________________________ John Wilson Microsoft Certified Office Specialist http://www.technologytrish.co.uk/ppttipshome.html "Randy Person" wrote: [Quoted Text] > John, I found that your idea to obtain a coarse shape at first, then refine > it with edit shapes, is a very workable solution. Once I got the basic > outline, I was able to work at full magnification to do a neat job. Once > shrunk back to viewing size, it looks really crisp and accurate. For a look > at what I'm dealing with, find a map of Washington state, USA. Notice in > particluar the Puget Sound region (near Seattle and Tacoma). You have gotten > my project back on track. Thank you. > -- > Randy Person > > > "John Wilson" wrote: > > > Sorry that want very clear. I meant initially work at a scale where you can > > see everything to get a rough outline and then use edit points to adjust by > > adding points / changing point type and dragging points. > > -- > > > > Did that answer the question / help? > > _____________________________ > > John Wilson > > Microsoft Certified Office Specialist > > http://www.technologytrish.co.uk/ppttipshome.html > > > > > > "Randy Person" wrote: > > > > > Sorry, John, that's not the problem. I'm already using Freeform (which lets > > > you scribble when you want to) for my tracer. For small or very general > > > shapes, it works fine. My current challenge is that I need to capture > > > details, so I'm working in the center screen of PowerPoint at 200% > > > enlargement. Since it's a large area, I can only see a small part of the > > > perimeter of my shape at one time. I can't find a way to make the working > > > screen move as I'm drawing so that I can complete the object in one pass. So > > > I trace what I can see, end the Freeform line, move the work area, and trace > > > some more. I have linked a series of Freeform lines to get a single > > > perimeter line, but it does not translate to a single AutoShape. When I try > > > to fill in the shape with color, I get very strange bits and pieces of fill, > > > some of which are outside the boundaries of my shape (but in a line > > > connecting extreme points). I need to wind up with a well-behaved AutoShape, > > > whether it's drawn all at once or assembled from parts. > > > -- > > > Randy Person > > > > > > > > > "John Wilson" wrote: > > > > > > > In the draw menu go to autoshapes > lines and choose either the scribble tool > > > > (if you've a steady hand) or the freeform tool to trace the shapes. If you > > > > need to adjust right click and choose edit points > > > > -- > > > > > > > > Did that answer the question / help? > > > > _____________________________ > > > > John Wilson > > > > Microsoft Certified Office Specialist > > > > http://www.technologytrish.co.uk/ppttipshome.html > > > > > > > > > > > > "Randy Person" wrote: > > > > > > > > > I need to trace a large, complex shape from a detailed state map to create a > > > > > single autoshape. To work accurately, I need to enlarge the base so I can > > > > > see only part of it at a time. I can't move my position on the base while > > > > > continuing to draw the autoshape line. I have successfully created an > > > > > outline by doing several separate but touching lines, then grouping them. > > > > > However, the area within this perimeter does not respond to format commands, > > > > > such as fill, as it would if the shape was completed on a single pass. I > > > > > need an end result that works as a unit. > > > > > > > > > > Thanks > > > > > -- > > > > > Randy Person