Shape Tools

Jump to Mobile or Windows 10


In SketchBook, we have Shape and Draw Style tools. They are the same things. Both are used for creating shapes, such as ovals, circles, rectangles, and lines.

Using Shape tools in SketchBook Pro Desktop

In SketchBook Pro Desktop, the Shape tools are called Draw Style tools.

In the toolbar, tap a Draw Style tool to help create shapes and lay down lines.

Lines

Use Lines to draw lines. To change the size of the line, increase or decrease the size of your brush.

In the toolbar, tap Shape tools icon in the mobile version of SketchBook, then either tap Lines or for a horizontal or vertical line, hold down the Shift key. Then, tap-drag.

Rectangles

Use Rectangles to draw a rectangle. The starting point becomes one of the corners. In the toolbar, tap Shape tools icon in the mobile version of SketchBook, then tap Rectangles and tap-drag to draw the shape.

Ovals

Use Ovals to draw an oval or circle. The starting point will be the center point of the oval or circle. In the toolbar, tap Shape tools icon in the mobile version of SketchBook, then tap Ovals and tap-drag to draw the shape.

Polylines

Use Polylines to draw a polyline.

In the toolbar, tap Shape tools icon in the mobile version of SketchBook, then tap Polylines and tap to place each point. Dbl-tap the last point to change the line to a solid line and complete your line.

Polylines example

Exiting the Draw Style tools

Once you are finished with the Draw Styles, tap Shape tools icon in the mobile version of SketchBook to exit the tools and return to freestyle stroke mode.

Using Shape tools in SketchBook Pro Mobile

Use the Shape (previously called Styles) tools for drawing lines, rectangles, and ellipses. Once finished, you will need to exit this mode and return to freeform stroke mode.

Example using the Shape tools

  1. Tap Tools icon in the mobile version of SketchBook, then Shape tools icon in the mobile version of SketchBook Shapes.

  2. Tap one of the following styles, then tap-drag to draw:

    • Line icon in the mobile version of SketchBook to draw a straight line.
    • Rectangular shape icon to draw a rectangle.
    • Oval shape icon to draw an ellipse.
  3. Do one of the following:

    • Tap-drag to draw a shape.
    • To stay in the tool and change the brush and/or color, tap OK, then tap Brush Editor icon or Color Editor icon.

    You will notice Shape tools icon in the mobile version of SketchBook appears below the toolbar to indicate you are still in the tool.

  4. To exit the tool, tap x.

Creating an ellipse

Use Circular shape icon to create an ellipse. If you might want to rotate the ellipse, create it on a separate layer. If you need a true ellipse with controls for the major and minor axes, see Guides.

  1. Tap Tools icon in the mobile version of SketchBook, then Shape tools icon in the mobile version of SketchBook Styles, and select Circular shape icon. Your start point will be the center of the ellipse.
  2. Tap-drag outward and either up or down.

To rotate the ellipse, with the ellipse on a separate layer. tap Tools icon in the mobile version of SketchBook, then Transform icon Transform. Either use to fingers to custom rotate the canvas or use rotate it or Rotate CCW icon or Rotate CW icon.

Using Shape tools in SketchBook Pro Windows 10

  1. Tap Shape icon Shape.

  2. Tap one of the following styles, then tap-drag to draw:

    • Line icon to draw a straight line.
    • Rectangle shape icon to draw a rectangle.
    • Elliptical shape icon to draw an ellipse.
  3. Do one of the following:

    • Tap-drag to draw a shape.

    • To stay in the tool and change the brush and/or color, just select a brush in the palette and/or tap the Color Puck and change the color.

    • To use in combination with other tools, tap the other tool and continue. To exit out of either tool, tap that tool in the toolbar to deactivate it.

      Toolbar with Shapes and secondary tool selected

    • To exit the tool, tap Shapes icon.

Creating an ellipse on Windows 10

Use Elliptical shape icon to create an ellipse. If you might want to rotate the ellipse, create it on a separate layer. If you need a true ellipse with controls for the major and minor axes, see Guides.

  1. Tap Shapes icon Shapes and select Elliptical shape icon.
  2. Tap-drag outward and either up or down.

To rotate the ellipse, with the ellipse on a separate layer. tap Transform Transform. Either use two fingers to custom rotate and scale the canvas or use Transform vertical flip or Transform horizontal flip in SketchBook.