Keynote - Making Shapes Editable

Chapter 5

Working with Images, Shapes, and Other Objects

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To learn about editing specific predrawn shapes, see the sections about each shape.

Adding, Deleting, and Moving the Editing Points on a Shape

You can fine-tune the lines and contours of a shape by adding, moving, or deleting its
editing points.

Here are ways to manipulate a shape’s editing points:
To add a point, make the shape editable, press the Option key, and then hold the

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pointer over the shape’s border. The pointer changes into a pen tip with a plus sign (+).
Click the location on the border where you want to add a point, and then move the
point if needed.
To move a point, make the shape editable, click the point, and then drag it to another

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location. You can move several points at the same time by holding down the Shift key
as you click multiple points, and then dragging.
To delete a point, make the shape editable, click the point, and then press the Delete

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key. You can delete several points at the same time by holding down the Shift key as
you click multiple points and then pressing Delete.

Reshaping a Curve

One way to create a unique shape is to reshape the contours of a predrawn shape. This
technique can also be used to readjust the curves of a custom shape.

To reshape a curve:

1

Make the shape editable.

Red points appear on the shape, indicating that you can reshape the curves at these
points.

2

Click a red point on the curve you want to reshape. Handles appear on both sides of

the red point.

You can also drag a point
to modify the curve.

Drag a control handle or
rotate one or both control
handles to change the curve.

3

To adjust the curvature, drag the red point or one of its handles.

Move the control handles clockwise or counter-clockwise. Different effects result when
you move the handles together or independently of each other. Experiment until you
achieve the desired effect.
To move the handles together, press the Option key, and then drag either one of them.
To move only one handle, press the Command key while dragging it.

4

For more precise control of the contour, add more editing points by holding down

the Option key while you hold the pointer along the shape’s border. When the pointer
takes the shape of a pen tip with a plus sign (+), click where you want to add a new
editing point. For more information, see “Adding, Deleting, and Moving the Editing
Points on a Shape” on page 83.

Reshaping a Straight Segment

You can change the angle between two segments, or change the length of a segment.

To reshape a straight segment:

1

Make the shape editable.

2

Click a corner point.

3

To change the angle between the two attached segments, drag the point clockwise or

counter-clockwise.

4

To change the length of one of the segments, drag the point outward or inward.

5

Add more editing points by holding down the Option key while you hold the pointer

over a line. When the pointer takes the shape of a pen tip with a plus sign (+), click
where you want to add a new editing point.
For more information, see “Adding, Deleting, and Moving the Editing Points on a
Shape” on page 83.

Transforming Corner Points into Curved Points and Vice Versa

You can change one or more points into curves or curves into points. First you must
make the shape editable.

Here are ways to transform corner points into curved points and vice versa:
To change a corner point into a curved point, make the shape editable, and then

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double-click the corner point.
To change a curved point into a corner point, make the shape editable, and then

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double-click the curved point.
To change all corner points in one or more shapes into curved points, make the shapes

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editable, select them, and then choose Format > Shape > Smooth Path.
To change all curved points in one or more shapes into corner points, make the shapes

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editable, select them, and then choose Format > Shape > Sharpen Path.

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Chapter 5

Working with Images, Shapes, and Other Objects

Chapter 5

Working with Images, Shapes, and Other Objects

85

After a shape is editable, you can use the Smooth Path and Sharpen Path commands
without making the shape editable again.

Editing a Rounded Rectangle

The rounded rectangle has a circular control that lets you change the corners.

Drag to straighten or
round the corner.

To edit a rounded rectangle:
Select the shape, and drag its blue editing point to the left to straighten the corners, or

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to the right to round them.

Editing Single and Double Arrows

An arrow shape has specialized editing points that enable you to adjust the relative
proportions of the arrow’s head and tail.

Drag to change

the tail length.

Drag up or down to
change the width of the
tail. Drag left or right to
resize the arrowhead.

To change the proportions of a single or double arrow:
Select the shape, and then do any of the following.

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To make the arrow longer, drag one of the selection handles at its head or tail.

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To make the entire arrow narrower or thicker, drag one of the selection handles on

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the arrow’s bounding box near where the arrow’s head and tail meet.
To change the relative thickness of the arrow’s head and tail, place the pointer

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over the blue editing point where the arrow’s head and tail meet. When the
pointer’s appearance changes, drag the editing point in any direction to adjust the
arrow’s proportions.

Editing a Quote Bubble or Callout

Quote bubbles and callouts have special editing controls. With these, you can adjust
how square or rounded the shape’s corners are, as well as the thickness and length of
the shape’s tail.

To change the look of quote bubbles or callouts:
Select the shape, and then do any of the following.

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To make the corners more square, drag the blue editing point on its widest edge

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and drag it toward the shape’s tail. Drag away from the tail to make the corners
more round.
To make the shape’s tail thicker or thinner, drag the blue editing point at the

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intersection of the shape’s tail and body, inward or outward.
To make the shape’s tail longer, drag the blue editing point at the tip of the tail

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inward or outward.
To make the shape’s body taller, shorter, wider, or narrower, drag the selection

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handles on the shape’s bounding box.

Editing a Star

The star shape has a slider that increases or decreases the number of points in the star,
and a blue editing point that makes the angles between the star’s points sharper or
more obtuse.

View the number of points
currently in the star.

Drag to increase or
decrease the number
of points in the star.

Drag to change the angles
between points in the star.

Here are ways to edit a star:
When you select a star shape, the slider appears. Drag the slider to increase or

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decrease the number of points in the star.
Drag the blue editing point to change the angles between points in the star.

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Chapter 5

Working with Images, Shapes, and Other Objects