Microsoft KB Archive/101825

Constraint Keys Don’t Work When Adjusting Size of Polygons PSS ID Number: Q101825 Article last modified on 08-13-1993 PSS database name: W_MSPub

2.00

WINDOWS

= SUMMARY =

The CTRL and SHIFT constraint keys do not work when you are adjusting the size of a polygon with your mouse. These constraint keys only work with the following objects:


 * WordArt frames
 * text frames
 * picture frames
 * circles or ovals
 * squares or rectangles

If you hold down CTRL or SHIFT while adjusting the size of a polygon, the proportions of the shape are not maintained. In other words, the shape and its proportions remain freely adjustable even when you hold down these constraint keys.

= MORE INFORMATION =

When you move or resize an object, such as a text, picture,or a WordArt frame, or a drawn object, using the constraint keys (CTRL or SHIFT) will affect how the object moves or resizes. For examples, see the following.

Press SHIFT While Dragging Your Mouse
Movement is constrained to a 90-degree angle (in other words, the object will only move along the 90-, 180-, 270-, or 360-degree angles [that is, horizontally or vertically]). Resizing is constrained to a 45-degree angle (in other words, the object will only resize along the 45-, 135-, 225-, or 315-degree angles).

Press CTRL While Dragging Your Mouse
Movement is not constrained by this key combination, but resizing is. When using this key combination to resize an object, the object will be constrained to resizing from the center in any direction.

Press SHIFT+CTRL While Dragging Your Mouse
Movement is constrained to a 90-degree angle (in other words, the object will only move along the 90-, 180-, 270-, or 360-degree angles ([that is, horizontally or vertically]). Resizing is constrained to a 45-degree angle, resizing from the center (in other words, the object will only resize from the center along the 45-, 135-, 225-, or 315-degree angles).

None of these key combinations have any effect on the movement of polygon points that connect the lines (that is,vertices). One might expect SHIFT to constrain the movement of the vertices along the horizontal or vertical plane or for CTRL to move all points an equal distance from the center; however, this is not the case.

Steps to Reproduce Problem

 * 1) Draw a picture frame.
 * 2) Import a clip art picture into the picture frame.
 * 3) Click the irregular wrap button.
 * 4) Click the crop button.
 * 5) Move one of the vertices while using one of the constraint keys.
 * 6) Note that the constraint keys have no effect on the movement of the vertex.

Additional reference words: 2.00 mspub pub20 win31 wrap

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1993.