The NodesNow canvas toolbox (located at the left side of the canvas) contains a set of tools to help your team collaborate efficiently and more effectively.
In this article, we will be focusing on essential tools that will help you make the most use of the NodesNow canvas. These tools include:
Select tool
Drawing tool
Eraser tool
Note tool
Shape tool
Text tool
Upload tool
The Select Tool
The Select Tool
The Select tool allows you to select any object that appeared on the canvas and manipulate them by moving, duplicating, resizing or deleting it. Here's how to use it:
Select the tool from the toolbar
Drag your mouse across the object(s) that you wish to select. Once you have selected it, let go of your mouse.
3. Once selected, depending if you selected one single object or multiple objects, a set of tools corresponding to the type of object being selected at that moment will appear. For instance, this tool below corresponds to the drawing tool.
Once you have selected an object, you have options to move, duplicate, resize/reshape and delete it. Here's how to do those four things:
Move
Click on a drawing to select it.
Click and drag it to your desired location.
Release to place it.
Duplicate
Click on a drawing to select it.
In the drawing menu, click the duplication icon.
3. Move the duplicate drawing as instructed above.
Resize/reshape
Click on a drawing to select it.
Click and draw one of the corners on the drawing's bounding box to adjust the size. You could freely adjust the drawing's shape and size to your liking.
Delete
To delete a drawing from the canvas, there are two methods to use. The first method is to use a Delete command from the drawing menu. Here's how to use it.
Click a drawing to select it.
Click the trash can icon to delete it. The selected drawing will be deleted from the canvas.
4. However, if you selected multiple objects, a new set of tools will appear
These set of tools allow you to manipulate multiple objects at the same time. These tools are:
GROUP - The GROUP tool allows you to group multiple objects together into an organized group, allowing you to move and arrange them around the canvas more easily
DUPLICATE - Once multiple objects are selected, you have an option to duplicate them all at once
DELETE - You could also delete multiple objects at the same time.
The Drawing Tool
The Drawing Tool
To use the drawing tool, tap the pencil icon in the canvas's toolbox to open the drawing menu.
Select a color from the available color palette, or use the default setting.
Choose a line thickness or use the default setting.
Click anywhere on the canvas to start drawing.
As with the rest of the tools in the toolbox, after you create an item on the canvas, you can move, duplicate, resize, and delete it.
The Eraser Tool
The Eraser Tool
The eraser tool is a brand new tool that was added to our arsenal of tools with the latest update, and it allows you to erase your drawings more easily.
To use the eraser tool, here's how:
Click on the eraser tool located inside a toolbar.
2. Drag your mouse across a drawing that you wish to delete. The eraser tool will create a line across the drawing, while the drawing that was being marked across will be less saturated - signifying that it will be erased. Once you have your mark, let the mouse go. The object will be erased from the canvas.
The Note Tool
The Note Tool
The note tool allows you to add a virtual post-it note to your space, enhancing your productivity and creativity. Here's how to use it:
Select the notes icon in the canvas's toolbox. A color palette will then slide out. Select your desired note color.
2. You will notice that the cursor will now turn into a + (plus) shape, indicating that the note is ready to be added on the canvas. Click anywhere to drop the note on the canvas.
3. Start typing away. You will also notice that on the bottom-left side of the note, it displays the name of the collaborator/member who created the note as well.
4. If you wish to make any changes to the note including changing the note's color, you could click on the note itself and it will bring up a note menu. You could click on the color of the note and change to whichever color you like.
The Text Tool
The Text Tool
The text tool allows you to write text onto the canvas which helps add more details and depth to your canvas presentation. Here's how to use it:
Select the text icon in the canvas's toolbox. You will notice that the cursor will now turn into a + (plus) shape, indicating that the text is ready to be added on the canvas. Click anywhere to drop the text on the canvas.
2. Type something into the text box.
3. As before, you are free to customize your text box. Click on the text box to select it, and the text tool will show up. With this new version not only you are able to change the text's color, but you are also able to change the text's size directly from within the toolbox.
To move the text:
Click on it.
Click and drag it to your desired location.
Release to place it.
The Shape Tool
The Shape Tool
The shape tool allows you to add shapes onto the canvas, creating variety in your spaces. To add a shape to the canvas:
Select the shapes icon in the canvas's toolbox. You'll be presented with four shapes to choose from - rectangle, ellipse, polygon and star. Select any shape that you like, then click on the canvas to drop the shape onto the canvas.
Once you have dropped the shape onto the canvas, you'll notice that the shape's default appearance is a dull white color. You could customize the shape to make it stand out on your canvas by clicking on your shape. A shape toolbox will then launch.
Within this shape toolbox, you'll find that you have numerous customization to choose from. From this toolbox, you could:
Change the shape's border color
Change the shape's color
Resize the shape's border
As with drawings, notes and text, you could also duplicate or delete the shape as well.
The Upload Tool
The Upload Tool
To upload images and videos directly to a space's canvas:
Click the upload icon in the canvas toolbar.
This will open your computer's file organizer.
In your file organizer, choose media that you want to upload. The desktop web allows uploading .jpg, .png, .gif and .mp4 files with a size limit of 100 MB per file.