Area Tool

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Area Tool


 

Editor-Icon Area Tool

 


 

Click Area Tool to measure the area within designated lines:

 

11.area.tool.location

Figure 1. Tools Tab Submenu. Area Tool

 

When the Area Tool is selected the pointer will become a crosshairs icon. Click to designate a starting point from which to measure. A red line will appear and the Area Tool information box will be displayed in the lower right corner of the active window. This box will update as the tool is used. Drag the crosshairs to the location to which the first measurement is to be made. Click again to define the first line of the area. Repeat the process until the area is complete and then double-click to define the final point. When a final point is established a pop-up note is created automatically for the area line and further options are enabled:

 

11.area.tool.example

Figure 2. Area Tool Example

 

The Area Tool calculates the distance measured and area according to the active scale. The Scale option in the Properties Toolbar is used to determine the active scale.

Click and drag the area shape to reposition it. The circle at the center can also be used for this purpose.

Click and drag the outer control points to resize the area shape.

Click and drag the inner control points to reshape the area shape.

Click and drag the green control point at the top to rotate the area shape. Hold down Shift to rotate at increments of fifteen degrees.

Use the arrow keys to reposition area shapes.

Use the editing aids detailed here to assist in the precise placement of area shapes.

Hold down Shift to create area lines at increments of fifteen degrees.

Right-click area shapes for further options. See here for an explanation of these options.

When the Area Tool is selected, the following options are enabled in the Properties Toolbar:

Fill Color determines the fill color of the area shape.

Stroke Color determines the color of the area border.

Border Style determines the style of the area border.

Border Width determines the size of the Line Starting/Ending Styles, detailed below.

Line Starting Style determines the style used at the start of area shapes.

Line Ending Style determines the style used at the end of area shapes.

Opacity determines the level of transparency in the area shape.

Blend Mode determines the manner in which area shapes blend with underlying content. These options are explained here.

The Scale number boxes can be used to determine the scale of selected objects. Alternatively, click Scale to select/manage predefined scales or calibrate a new scale.

Keep Selected determines whether or not the Area Tool remains selected after an area shape has been created. If this option is enabled then the tool will remain selected and can be used to create several area shapes consecutively. If this option is not enabled then PDF-XChange Editor will revert to the designated default tool immediately after creating an area shape.

Exclusive Mode simplifies the process of using the Area Tool. When Exclusive Mode is enabled, the pointer ignores all interactive elements of documents other than base content. This makes it possible to create area shapes at locations that overlap with other content without the risk of accidentally selecting undesired items. When Exclusive Mode is disabled, the pointer recognizes and interacts with all underlying elements in the standard manner.

Click Properties to view/edit the Area Tool Properties pane. See here for information on tool properties.

The Comment Styles Palette can be used to save customized area shape styles for subsequent use. Right-click the Area Tool icon in the Commenting Toolbar to view existing styles and/or access the Comment Styles Palette.