# 2D Drawing tools

## Text Tool

The new Text Tool is a page in the Assistant, and has been improved to include most features of text editing included in other packages such as Microsoft Word. This includes features such as Justifying, Highlighting to edit, multiple lines and fonts, proper Kerning and line spacing, and most importantly, the vector text can now be edited at any time after it has been created.

## Wrap Text Round a Curve

Wrap Text Round a Curve has now been improved to have more options, and spacing of the text is now interactive (by dragging the text using the mouse), making this feature much easier to use.

## Nesting Vectors

Nesting is a feature which allows you to select a group of vectors representing the parts to be cut out, and nest them within a vector or group of vectors representing the material from which the parts are to be cut. This is particularly useful for industries where the production material is expensive (for example in jewellery manufacture) and the user wants to use it as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. There are many options available with this feature such as allowing part rotation, parts in parts, and creating a vector of the material left after the Nesting procedure has been carried out.

## Fit Arcs

The Arc Fit Vectors button is in the Vector Editing section of the Assistant page (or on the Vector Editing Toolbar). This allows the user to select a complex vector and convert it to a series of arcs. This can remove unwanted irregularities and speeds up subsequent vector offsetting and/or toolpath calculation. Some ArtCAM post-processors also support direct circular arc output from arc fitted vectors, which can lead to improved toolpath efficiency and quality.

## Paste Vectors Along a Curve

The Paste Vectors Along a Curve option allows the user to paste a selected vector or group of vectors along a selected vector. The Paste Vectors Along a Curve button is in the Vector Editing section of the Assistant page (or on the Vector Editing Toolbar).

## Block Copy/Rotate

Block Copy/Rotate is now a separate feature and is available by selecting a vector and clicking the Block Copy/Rotate button in the Vector Editing section of the Assistant (or on the Vector Editing Toolbar). With Block Copy selected, copies of the selected vector can be pasted in the form of a grid with rows and columns defined in this page by the user. With Rotate Copy selected, the Assistant page shows different options, and the vector can be copied and rotated according to the Number of Objects and Angle of rotation defined by the user.

## Transform Vectors

The Transform Vectors page in the Assistant now combines the old Transform dialog box with the Position Vectors page. The Transform Vectors button is in the Position Size Align Vectors section of the Assistant (or on the Vector Editing Toolbar). When the Transform Vector tool is pressed, selected vectors can be edited interactively in the 2D View using the mouse, or by filling in values and using the slider bars in the Assistant page.

Additional keyboard shortcuts have also been added to simplify vector manipulation. When moving a vector by dragging, hold down the ctrl key to make a copy and hold down the alt key to constrain the movement to exactly horizontal or vertical.

## Mirror Vectors

The Mirror Vectors Horizontally and Vertically have been combined into one Assistant page, and the feature has been improved to allow copies to be made, and mirroring about a line. The MirrorVectors button is in the Position Size Align Vectors section of the Assistant (or on the Vector Editing Toolbar).

## Create Arcs

This is a new option on the Vector Toolbar and in the Vector Editing section of the Assistant page, which allows creation of arcs with exact values. There are two types of arcs depending on the information that you have:

- Swept Arc - Centre Point, Start Point, and Span or End Point.
- Fitted Arc - Start Point, End Point, and Centre Point Or Radius.

These can be created either by clicking the Left mouse button in the 2D View to enter the required positions, OR by entering exact values in the Assistant page.

## Offset Vectors

The Offset Vectors tool which now allows complete control over the offsetting of both open and closed vectors. New vectors can be created set inwards and/or outwards from a selected vector by a precise amount. Any corners that are created can be chamfered, radiused or sharp.

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