To edit lines in Adobe Animate, the primary method is to utilize the Selection tool to directly manipulate the line segments and points.
Reshaping Lines with the Selection Tool
One of the most direct ways to edit a line in Adobe Animate is by using the Selection tool (V). This tool allows you to dynamically reshape lines by dragging on the line itself or its points.
Here's how you can easily reshape a line using the Selection tool:
- Select the Selection Tool: Click on the Selection tool icon in the Tools panel, or press V on your keyboard.
- Hover Over the Line: Move your cursor over the line you wish to edit. As you hover, different icons may appear next to the pointer, indicating the type of edit you can perform.
- Drag to Reshape: Drag any point on a line using the Selection tool. This is the key method mentioned in the reference. By clicking and dragging on the line segment itself (not necessarily an end point), you can pull and push the line to change its curvature.
- Observe Pointer Changes: As stated in the reference, the pointer changes to indicate what type of reshaping it can perform on the line or fill. For instance, a curved icon might appear when you hover over a segment ready to be curved, or a corner icon near an end point.
- Animate Adjusts the Curve: As you drag, Animate adjusts the curve of the line segment to accommodate the new position of the moved point. This allows for intuitive and flexible line editing.
Practical Tips
- Dragging near the ends of a line segment tends to have a greater effect on the curve near that end.
- Dragging in the middle of a segment pulls the entire section outward or inward.
- While dragging on the line reshapes the curve, dragging the actual end points (anchor points) of the line will move those points and stretch/reposition the line.
Using the Selection tool provides a quick and visual way to sculpt your lines directly on the stage in Animate, making it easy to achieve the desired shapes and curves for your artwork.
