Pencil
Overview
The Pencil tool is similar to the Poly Line but is drawn as a freehand tool, i.e. you can use your mouse to draw the line on any part of the chart you desire.
To add the tool to your chart, select the tool from the Geometric tool group, and left-click (and hold) on a point where you wish to start drawing the Line. Move your mouse in the direction you wish to draw the line, release the left mouse button when you wish to end the existing line. Continue selecting points to begin the tool as per steps two and three above to draw additional lines. Once you have no more points to add, right-click the mouse once. Optuma will then draw the tool using the default settings.
Actions & Properties
Actions
Add to Toolbar: Adds the selected tool to your custom toolbar.
Apply Settings to All: When multiple Pencil tools have been applied to a chart, page or workbook, this action can be used to apply the settings of the one selected to other instances of the tool. This is a great time saver if an adjustment is made to the tool - such as line colour - as this allows all the other Pencil tools in the chart, page or entire workbook to be updated instantly.
Copy Tool: Allows you to copy the selected tool, which can then be pasted onto a different chart window.
Move to Back: If the tool is displaying in front of other tools or indicators clicking this action will move the tool view to the background.
Move to Front: If the tool is displaying behind other tools or indicators on the chart, clicking this action will bring the tool to the forefront.
Restore Default Settings: Click this action if you have adjusted the default settings of the tool, and wish to return to the standard properties originally installed with Optuma.
Save Settings as Default: If you have adjusted any of the tool’s properties (colour, for example) you can save the adjustments as your new default setting. Each time you apply a new Pencil to a chart, the tool will display using the new settings.
Delete: Deletes the tool from the chart.
Properties
Tool Name: Allows you to adjust the name of the tool, as it’s displayed in the Structure Panel.
Line Style: The Line Style property allows you to adjust the type of line(s) displayed. There are 8 options available: Solid, Dots, Dash, Dash Dots, Long Dash, Long Dash Dot, Long Dash Dot Dot, Stippled.
Line Width: Allows you to adjust the width of the lines. Moving the slider bar to the right increases the thickness of the line.
Line Colour: Allows you to select the colour of the lines. Clicking on the drop down arrow will display a colour swatch. Locate the desired colour and left-click it once to select it.
Tool Transparency: Use this slider bar to adjust the transparency of the tool. Moving the slider to the left will increase the transparency of the tool.
Visible: Un-tick this checkbox to hide the tool from the chart.