Editing shapes
Shapes can be edited after they have been drawn. They can be copied, pasted, scaled, mirrored, rotated, dragged and changed. To edit one or more shapes, you must select them. First, make sure that the current selection is locked (red outline). To select one shape, simply click on its handle. To select more than one shape, press SHIFT, keep it pressed and left-click-drag until the selection square encloses all shapes' handles you want to select. To learn more about selecting, go to the selection page.
Copying and pasting
A selection can be copied and then pasted anywhere on the map. Click Ctrl+C to copy a selection. Paste by clicking Ctrl+V. A copy of the selection will be added at the top left screen corner. GroundMaker switches to DRAG mode (blue outline) when pasting. Simply drag the new items where you need them.
Mirroring shapes
Selected shapes can be mirrored on their X or Y axis. Click the EDIT\ FLIP vertical or FLIP horizontal menu item.
Scaling and rotating shapes
There are two ways to scale and mirror shapes. The first method consists of using the mouse which gives you instant visual feedback.
- To rotate a selection, click the EDIT\ FREE edit\ ROTATE menu item. A boundary square with four handles will be visible around the selection. Left-click one of the handles, and move the cursor sideways. The selection will rotate accordingly. Note that GroundMaker's window width corresponds to a full rotation (360°). You can read the rotation in the status bar. Release the mouse button when done.
- To scale a shape, click the EDIT\ FREE edit\ RESCALE menu item. A boundary square with four handles will be visible around the selection. Left-click-dragging one of the handles will let you scale along both the X and Y axes. Left-click-dragging one of the square's edges will only let you scale along one of the axes. Release the mouse button when done.
To exit rotate or scale mode simply click anywhere on the map. The boundary square will disappear and you will be able to resume drawing or selecting...
GroundMaker also lets you scale and rotate a selection through dialogs to ensure highest accuracy. Click the EDIT\ RESCALE... or ROTATE... menu items. Enter the angle of rotation or scaling factor and click OK.
It is important to know that point coordinates are changed after rotating or scaling. GroundMaker does not keep track of previous rotation angles or scaling factors. Excessive use of these features may lead to badly distorted shapes. In other words, If you rotate a shape for example, and are not satisfied with the result, UNDO the action and rotate again instead of rotating in many steps.
Dragging shapes
To drag a selection, go into DRAG mode (blue outline), left-click one of the selected handles and drag. When done, release the mouse button.
Editing shape points
To change a shape's outline, go into EDIT POINTS mode (SELECTION menu item or Ctrl+E). Make sure that only one shape is selected. Every shape point is accessible through a handle. To drag one point, left-click-drag a handle. To drag more than one point, press SHIFT, keep it pressed and left-click-drag until the selection square encloses all the points you wish to select (as you would do to select more than one shape). left-click-drag one of the selected handles to drag these points. To add a point, press INSERT. To delete the selected point(s), press DELETE or click the EDIT\ DELETE menu item. Press ENTER or Ctrl+E to exit EDIT POINTS mode.