Vertices

Vertices are specified by a pair of coordinates (x/y values). Vertices are used to define the position of points, lines and areas.
There are 3 types of vertices:

• Normal Vertex
• Corner Vertex
• Dash Vertex

Add Vertex

The commands for adding new vertices can be found in the Editing and Drawing Toolbar.
Add normal vertex
Add corner vertex
Add dash vertex

Add Normal Vertex

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The Add normal vertex function is enabled when a line, line text or area object is selected. Click this button to change the cursor to the Add normal vertex mode. When this mode is selected, you can insert additional normal vertices or change existing vertices to normal vertices.

Insert Normal Vertices

Select a line, line text or area object, change to the Add normal vertex mode and move the mouse pointer to the desired position on the line object or on the border of the area object. Then, click the left mouse button. A new normal vertex is inserted.
You can also insert normal vertices in Select and Edit Object or Select Object and Edit Vertex mode when holding down both the and the Ctrl key.

Change a Vertex to a Normal Vertex

Select a line, line text or area object, change to the Add normal vertex mode and move the mouse pointer to the vertex to be converted. Then, click the left mouse button. The vertex is changed to a normal vertex.
If you want to change all vertices of an object to normal vertices use the Change Vertex Types to function.

Add Corner Vertex

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A Corner Vertex is a special vertex of line, line text and area objects. You can use this function if a line, line text or area object is selected.
Corner vertices have 3 effects:

• they influence how line objects are drawn
• they influence the editing of a Bézier curves
• when smoothing (automatically or manually) they remain in the same position

When an object is selected, corner vertices are marked with an empty rectangle ().
Corner vertices are automatically created when drawing in the Straight Line mode.

Insert Corner Vertices

Select a line, line text or area object, change to the Add corner vertex mode and move the mouse pointer to the desired position on the line object or on the border of the area object. Then, click the left mouse button. A new corner vertex is inserted.

Change a Vertex to a Corner Vertex

Select a line, line text or area object, change to the Add corner vertex mode and move the mouse pointer to the vertex to be converted. Then, click the left mouse button. The vertex is changed to a corner vertex.
If you want to change all vertices of an object to corner vertices use the Change Vertex Types to function.

Influence on line objects

Corner vertices influence structured line objects such as dashed lines. When OCAD renders a dashed line it distributes dashes of equal length on that line. Corner vertices divide a line into several line sections. OCAD distributes the dashes on each section as if they are individual objects.

In the Comparison part of this page some examples can be found.

Influence on Bézier curves

Corner vertices allow you to create corners in Bézier curves. The Bezier vertex before and after a corner vertex can be moved individually without influencing each other. This allows you to create sharp corners.

Add Dash Vertex

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A Dash Vertex is a special vertex of line or area objects. Dash vertices influence how line objects are rendered. When an object is selected, dash vertices are marked with a diamond (). You can use this function if a line, line text or area object is selected.

Insert Dash Vertices

Select a line, line text or area object, change to the Add dash vertex mode and move the mouse pointer to the desired position on the line object or on the border of the area object. Then, click the left mouse button. A new dash vertex is inserted.

Change a Vertex to a Dash Vertex

Select a line, line text or area object, change to the Add dash vertex mode and move the mouse pointer to the vertex to be converted. Then, click the left mouse button. The vertex is changed to a dash vertex.
If you want to change all vertices of an object to dash vertices use the Change Vertex Types to function.

Influence on line objects

Dash vertexes influence structured line objects such as dashed lines. When OCAD renders a dashed line it distributes dashes of equal length on that line. Insert a dash vertex to force a dash to a certain position.
In the Comparison part of this page some examples can be found.

Comparison and Examples

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Dotted Line

Dotted line with normal vertex (1) and corner vertex (2) at the corner.

Dashed Line

Dashed line with normal vertex (1), dash vertex (2) and corner vertex (3) at the corner.

Dashed Line with Intersection

Dashed line with normal vertex (1), dash vertex (2) and corner vertex (3) at the intersection.

Remove Vertex

Click the Remove Vertex button in the Editing and Drawing Toolbar to remove a vertex.

This function is enabled when a line or area object is selected. When you use this function, the cursor changes to the Remove Vertex mode.
Remove a vertex from a line or area object by clicking the desired vertex on the selected object with the left mouse button.

You can also remove vertices in Select and Edit Object or Select Object and Edit Vertex mode when holding down the Ctrl key.

Change Vertex Types to

Select Change Vertex Types to in Object Menu

Choose this command to change the symbol of all objects with a symbol A to symbol B. The Change Symbol of Objects dialog box is displayed.

This command is especially useful to translate the layers of an imported file to OCAD symbols.

• Change all objects with: Enter here the symbol number or the name of the layer of the objects to be changed. If an object is selected this edit box initially contains the symbol number or the layer name of the selected object.
• To symbol no.: Enter here the new symbol number to be given to the objects. Initially this edit box contains the number of the currently selected symbol This command is enabled when 1 or more objects are selected. This command will change the specified vertex types of all the selected objects in one step.
• Normal vertex: The Change Vertex Types dialog box is opened. Check the vertex types (normal, corner, dash, virtual gap) that should be changed to normal vertex. Click OK button to execute this command.
• Corner vertex: The Change Vertex Types dialog box is opened. Check the vertex types (normal, corner, dash, virtual gap) that should be changed to corner vertex. Click OK button to execute this command.
• Dash vertex: The Change Vertex Types dialog box is opened. Check the vertex types (normal, corner, dash, virtual gap) that should be changed to dash vertex. Click OK button to execute this command.