Interface Overview

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Vexy Lines converts raster images into beautiful vector artwork. This guide introduces the main interface elements to help you start creating quickly.

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Main Canvas

Your primary workspace for visualizing and editing artwork.

Essential Navigation

Navigate your canvas effortlessly with these shortcuts:

Zooming

  • Z: Zoom in toward cursor.
  • X: Zoom out.
  • ⌘+ / ⌘- (Mac) or Ctrl+ / Ctrl- (Windows): Quick zoom.
  • ⌘2: Zoom to selected area.
  • ⌘3: Fit artwork to screen.
  • Alt + Mouse Wheel or trackpad pinch: Dynamic zoom adjustment.

Moving

  • Space + Drag: Pan across canvas.
  • ⌘+Space: Dynamic zoom or frame zoom on specific areas.

Toolbar

Quick access to essential drawing and editing tools.

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Editor Tools

Editor tool Editor Tool (V): Select, move, and modify objects and nodes.
Meter tool Meter Tool (R): Measure distances and angles.
Pencil tool Pencil Tool (P): Draw freehand strokes.
Knife tool Knife Tool (K): Split and edit curves and paths.
Transform tool Transform Tool (T): Scale, rotate, and precisely adjust objects.

Masking Tools

Brush tool Brush Tool (B): Paint masks freehand with adjustable brush size.
Rectangle tool Rectangle Tool (I): Create rectangular masks, including perfect squares.
Ellipse tool Ellipse Tool (O): Draw circular or oval masks.
Freeform tool Freeform Tool (S): Create custom shapes or auto-detect complex areas.

Refresh Options

Auto Refresh Auto Refresh: Automatically update artwork as you work.
Refresh Fill Refresh Fill: Quickly update the current fill.
Refresh All Refresh All: Update all fills simultaneously.

Undo & Redo

undo Undo: Step backward through actions.
redo Redo: Restore previously undone actions.

Zoom Commands

Zoom in Zoom in: Magnify view for detailed editing.
Zoom out Zoom out: Reduce magnification to view more artwork.
Zoom to Selected Zoom to Selected: Frame selected objects automatically.
Zoom to Actual Size Zoom to Actual Size: Display artwork at 100% scale.

View Controls

Highlight edges Highlight Edges: Enhance edge visibility for easier editing.
Show masks Show Masks: Display mask boundaries clearly.
Show fills Show Fills: Toggle visibility of vector fills.
Show images Show Images: Show or hide reference images.

Use commands in Window > Toolbar menu to display Refresh, Undo, and Zoom buttons.

Panels

Vexy Lines includes several panels for detailed control:

Properties Panel
Adjust fills, colors, masks, and effects precisely.

Layers Panel
Organize layers for structured and editable projects.

History Panel
Track and manage recent actions.

Preview Panel
Instantly preview artwork.

Help Panel
Contextual information about tools and features.

Menu System

Access all features through logically grouped menus:

  • File: Create, open, save, import, export
  • Edit: Standard editing commands and preferences
  • View: Workspace and viewing options
  • Layer: Manage layers, groups, masks
  • Fill: Create and modify vector fills
  • Tools: Drawing and editing tools
  • Window: Panel visibility and arrangement
  • Help: Documentation, tutorials, Intro Tour

Interactive Tour

Access the interactive Intro Tour anytime via Help > Intro Tour. This guided tour highlights key features, helping you quickly master the basics.