Shape Tool
The Shape Tool allows you to create pre-made geometric shapes, such as rectangles, circles, polygons, or straight lines, but also stars and spirals.
Located inside the Toolbar (on the left side of the Canvas), the Shape Tool is a variable tool that gives you access to different pre-made shapes (2). You can access the Shapes by tapping the ~key~...~key~ (3 dots) button (1).
Each tool is also accompanied by different options in the context menu (3) that appear on the right of the tool, such as:
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Rectangle | Change the roundness of the object's corners.
Polygon | Slide to alter the number of sides in the object.
Circle | None but holding a second finger on the canvas allows you draw a perfect circle.
Star | Slide to choose the number of points in the star.
Line | None but holding a second finger on the canvas allows you draw a perfect horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines.
Spiral | Slide up and down to alter the decay of the object.
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Pro Tip – You can also use the keyboard shortcuts to place pre-made shapes onto your Canvas. This will speed up your workflow, especially when working on Vectornator on your Mac.
How to draw pre-made Shapes
To add any kind of pre-made Shape onto the Canvas, hold and drag anywhere on the Canvas while you have the Shape Tool selected.
Hold a second finger on the canvas or the ~key~⇧~key~ button to make your shape's width and height equal. This allows you to draw a perfect square or circle.
To draw rectangles, circles, lines and spirals, position your Pencil (or finger) where you want the top left corner of your shape. While, polygons and stars will be automatically drawn from the center of your shape.
Pro Tip – Depending on the direction you drag, the top of the shape takes that direction. I drag up, the point is up.
How to Edit the Corner Radius
Any corner point in a vector shape can have sharp or rounded corners, and in Vectornator you can use the Corner Radius slider to adjust any individual corner’s radius on a shape.
To change the radius of your shape's corners, simply drag your finger or Pencil on the Corner Radius Slider (A) inside the Style Tab.
To change instead one single corner point of your shape, select it using the Node Tool and then slide your finger along the Corner Radius slider to adjust it.
You can easily adjust the radius of your shape's corners by using the Quick Actions menu anytime you select your shape. To do so, tap the Corner Radius icon (1) in the menu and then slide left and right to change value (2).
How to Change the Number of Sides
There are three different ways for you to change the number of sides in your shape, including:
1 – Using the Slider to the right of the Polygon Tool:
To the right of the Polygon Tool, you’ll find a slider that allows you to control the number of sides in your polygon. Slide to change the value or tap to enter the value using the keypad.
2 – Using the Slider inside the Style Tab:
After you draw a shape, you can still change the number of sides by using the slider at the top of the Style Tab while you have it selected.
3 – Using the The Quick Actions:
You can also use the Shape Sides Quick Action to easily change the number of sides after creating your shape.
How to Draw Straight Lines
Activate the Line Tool by selecting the Line icon in the Toolbar or by pressing the ~key~L~key~ shortcut. Place your Pencil or finger where you want the line to begin, and then drag to where you want the line to end.
Hold a second finger on the canvas or the ~key~⇧~key~ button to snap your line horizontally, vertically, or in 45° intervals.
How to Create Stars
Creating stars in Vectornator can be easily done by using the Star Tool. To activate it, simply tap the Shape Icon inside the Toolbar (8th from the top) and then select the Star. To draw a new star simply tap where you want the center of the star to be.
To the right of the Star Tool, you’ll find a slider that allows you to control the number of points in your star. The number displayed in the slider corresponds to the number of points.
Star Tool Gestures
When drawing with the Star Tool, you’ll activate a couple of gestures that will help you modify your shape's points and direction.
1 – Change the direction of the spikes
Hold and drag up and down to modify the direction of your star's spikes.
2 – Change the Star Shape
While drawing your star, hold a second finger or press the ~key~⇧~key~ key to edit the star's point radius by dragging your fingers.
▶️ Watch the video on our Instagram channel to learn how to draw stars in Vectornator on your iPad.
How to draw spirals
Creating spirals in Vectornator can be easily done by using the Spiral Tool. To activate it, simply tap the Spiral Icon inside the Toolbar (the bottom one).
At the right of the Spiral you can control its decay value. The Decay specifies the amount by which each wind of the spiral should decrease relative to the previous wind.
To draw a new spiral, hold and drag your Pencil anywhere on the canvas. Place your Pencil (or finger) where you want the line to begin, and then drag from bottom to up or viceversa to set its direction.
How to Edit a Shape Precisely
In the Arrange Tab, you can change the shape's position, rotation angle, and other options. To enter a value manually, tap the number and enter the value in the keypad.
Pro Tip – To reset a rotated shape or path to its original angle, simply choose 0° in the Rotate panel.
Video Recap
Watch the video below for a complete overview of how working with shapes in Vectornator.
The Shape Tool is great for creating logos, graphic illustrations, and anything in between. There are 6 types of shapes that you can create with this tool - from simple ones like rectangles, circles, or lines, to more complex shapes like spirals or stars.
Interactive Tutorial – Download here the content for our Interactive Tutorial and learn how to use the Shape Tool, use Booleans, and more on your iPad.
