# Drawing Straight Lines, Ellipses and Rectangles

The drawing tools in Toon Boom Studioresemble standard drawing tools used in many graphic programs, including a few extras made specially for animators. You can use your mouse or graphic tablet to draw your shapes.

To draw straight lines, ellipses and rectangles:

1. Select the tool you want to use from the Tools > Drawing Tools menu or the Drawing Tools toolbar. You have the following choices:

- Line tool: draws straight lines. To draw at 15 degree angles, press [Shift].
- Rectangle tool: draws rectangular or square shapes. To draw a square, press [Shift] as you drag the Rectangle tool.
- Ellipse tool: draws round shapes. To draw a circle, press [Shift] as you drag the Ellipse tool.

2. Select Show > Properties to display the Properties window.

3. Select a pen style from the Pen tab. The width of your line is based on the Maximum Size value of the pen you select.

4. Select a solid color swatch from the Color Palette tab. You cannot use a gradient or texture color swatch.

5. Drag the tool in the Drawing View window until you have the shape you want.

- With the Rectangle and Ellipse tool, press [Option] to draw from the center.
- With the Line tool, press [Option] to draw from the previous point.
- Press [Command] to select the object you just drew and move, resize, or rotate it.

See Also
Drawing with the Polyline Tool
Working with Selections
Setting Up Your Pens