Editing lines allows you to move lines and their vertices from the position in which you originally placed them. It also allows you to add vertices to a line, remove vertices from a line, split one line into two, or join two lines into one.

(Note: For this document we loosely define "vertex" to include not just the angles along the line, but the end points as well.)

First, point to the line that you wish to edit. The line will be highlighted.
 
 

Hold the right pointer button, choose Edit Line from the menu, then release the button.
 
 

The usual cursor will change to the edit cursor, and any graphic characteristics will be temporarily hidden, leaving a simple black line with black dots indicating each vertex. Segments or vertices will be highlighted when you point to them.
 
 

To move a vertex, first point to it. It will be highlighted.
 
 

Still pointing at the vertex, hold the left pointer button, drag the vertex to its new location, and release the button.
 
 

Optionally, for more precise placement, you may click on the vertex with the left pointer button. The Edit Vertex window appears showing the exact coordinates of the vertex.
 
 

You may position the pointer in the X or Y box and use the backspace and digit keys to directly edit the coordinates.
 
 

Or you may use the + or - buttons to increment or decrement the values. First point to the right of the digit that you want to change and click the left pointer button.

(Hint: Because the units are usually very small (e.g., centimeters), you will probably want to increment or decrement in units of 100 or more, depending upon your zoom level.)
 
 

Then point to the + or - button and click or hold the left pointer button until you are satisfied with the position of the vertex.
 
 

Another thing you can do from the Edit Vertex window (unless you are at either end of the line) is to click the Split Line button.
 
 

The Edit Vertex window will vanish. You will see that the line being edited now stops at the vertex where you split it, and another line starts there.
 
 

By dragging the vertex with the left pointer button, you will see that it is no longer connected to the other line.
 
 

Clicking the vertex with the left pointer button will bring up the Edit Vertex window again.
 
 

If you move the vertex so that it is near a vertex on another line, the Snap Vertex button becomes usable. (It is no longer be grayed-out.) If both vertices are at the end of their lines, the Join Lines button will also be usable.
 
 

Clicking the Snap Vertex button will cause the vertex to snap to the exact coordinates of the other vertex.
 
 

Or, if you want to really connect the lines, you may click the Join Lines button.
 
 

The Edit Vertex window will vanish. You will see that the line being edited is now joined to the other at the vertex.
 
 

Clicking the vertex with the left pointer button will bring up the Edit Vertex window again.
 
 

Unless the vertex you are editing is at an end of the line, you may click the Delete Vertex button to remove the vertex from the line.
 
 

The Edit Vertex window will vanish. You will see that the vertex has disappeared, and a single segment now connects the vertices that were on either side of it.
 
 

You may, of course, add a new vertex to the line. Point to the segment where you want to add the vertex. The segment will be highlighted.
 
 

Hold the left pointer button. A new vertex will appear.
 
 

While continuing to hold the left pointer button, drag the vertex to the desired position.
 
 

To exit edit mode, hold the right pointer button, choose Exit Edit Mode from the menu, then release the button.
 
 

The usual cursor will return, as will any graphic characteristics that you set for this line.
 
 

To edit another line you may point to it and choose Edit Line again from the right-button menu. You may only edit one line at a time.

See also Edit Attributes Fields, Edit Attributes, and Edit Graphic Characteristics.

Copyright © 2005 by Dapper Mapper