Click on the arrow next to "Select a Shape" to access the dropdown menu and then click on the rectangular shape.  Click on Color to select a colour of your own choosing.  Click on "Select a Mode" and choose 2D Object.  For this first exercise, leave Border and Shadow unchecked.

4. Path Tool Settings

When you first clicked on the Path Drawing Tool, you will have noticed a box pop up.  This is known as Tool Settings, formerly the Path Panel.  If you don't see a Tool Settings box, or if you closed when told you could in the last step of this tutorial, you can access it by clicking on this icon on the far-right end of the attributes bar, or in the Panel Manager to the right of your workspace.

In the Options section of Tool Settings, ensure that Even-Odd Fill is checked and also Anti-aliasing.  By checking these you will be ensured of the best possible fill for your shape and also a smooth edge rather than a jagged one.  Depending on how you'd prefer your image to be drawn, you might like to also check the Draw from center box.  My own preference is to draw from the outer edge which is why I haven't checked it.

5. Drawing A Shape

On your canvas, hold down your left mouse button at point X, drag and let go of the mouse button at point Y, illustrated at left.

If you checked Draw from center in the last step of this tutorial, then hold down your left mouse button at point X and drag diagonally until your rectangle is the size you would like and then let go, as shown at right.

Congratulations, you have drawn your very first path shape!

6. Exercise

Now that you know how to draw a basic shape, deselect it by clicking on your keyboard's Enter key. Try drawing a few others shapes, a circle, a diamond and a square.

You might like to also try drawing a different shape than those shown in the drop-down list.  If that's the case, then click on Custom Shape.

In the Custom Shape box that pops up, be sure that you have the Gallery called Shape selected and the Tab group All.  This will give you access to a whole host of wonderful shapes.  Simply double-click on the one you'd like to draw.  The Custom Shape box will close and you're ready to draw just as you've done before.

7. Changing the Attributes

With your new shape still selected (showing a running black selection line around it), click on Mode in the attributes bar and try the other options shown below in the drop-down box (you can disregard the remainder of the modes for now).

Here are a few examples of what will happen to your rectangle, trying each in the order in the drop-down list.

At this point, you might like to experiment altering both the Width and Depth settings to see how they affect your path shape.

8. Resizing

To resize your rectangle click on the Transform Tool in the tool bar On the attributes bar, click on the Resize Transform method—it's the first icon on the left, and be sure the top icon in the drop-down list is selected   Now you have two choices:
If you know the size you want the finished object to be, unlock the padlock (by clicking it—it toggles locked and un) also found on the attributes bar and enter a new Width and Height (in that order).

OR

Ensure that the padlock on the attributes bar is unlocked and then click on one of the nodes around your shape and push inward to make your shape smaller or pull outward to enlarge it.  Don't forget to keep an eye on the Width and Height in the status bar.
Notice how each method of resizing here allows you to resize each side of your shape independently.  BUT! click again on the padlock to lock it and you'll be able to resize your shape keeping the aspect ratio.  In other words, all sides will resize together.

9. Polygons and Borders

If you look along the attributes bar, you'll also notice that you have the option of drawing a polygon shape with a set number of sides or convex points.  All you need do is click on the shape required and alter the number of sides or points wanted.

Another thing you'll notice in the attributes bar is a border setting.  This allows you to add a 2D border of any colour and size to any shape you draw, whether it be an ordinary shape, a custom shape or one of the chosen polygons.  Try it, I'm sure you'll find a lot of use for shapes with borders in future PhotoImpact projects you do!  The shadow setting works the same way.  Click the icon next to the word Shadow to alter the shadow settings.  Just uncheck the appropriate box when you don't need a border or shadow.

Here are a few examples of polygon shapes and polygon shapes with borders and/or shadows added.

10. Adding Material

With your new shape in 3D mode and still selected (showing a running black selection line around it), click on the Easy Palette icon in the access bar (to the right of the workspace).

In the Easy Palette click on the Gallery tab.
Click on either the Material Attribute Gallery or the Material Gallery.
On the right side of the Easy Palette you will see thumbnail images, just double-click on any of them to add material to your shape.
Double-clicking on the Remove Material thumbnail works as an undo button.

Experiment a bit to see what materials you particularly like.  This one has Reflection R06 and Copper2.

11. Exercise

Practise drawing more shapes with varying modes.  Change their attributes and resize them.  Then add material from the Easy Palette.

Here are a few that I have done.  I'm sure you can create some much nicer ones, especially if you choose to draw Custom Shape ones!

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