Need instructions on using the "edit point" commands in Word 03

[kingvdom]

I am trying to modify a clipart shape in Word 2003. I do not know how to use
all the Edit Point commands (Open/Close Point, Add/Delete Point, Straight,
Corner, Smooth). I can find them all but haven't figured out how they work.
I've searched and searched in Word Help and on the Microsoft office site for
instructions on how to use these commands but can not find a single bit of
information. Does anyone know where to find some intructions for using these
tools??
Thank you

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Your best bet is just to experiment with them to see what they do. AFAIK,
they are not documented anywhere.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org

 

[Lene Fredborg]

A small introduction:

On some AutoShapes you _can_ add connector points (as in e.g. Visio). As far
as I can see, this only works for the curved “Lines†(Word 2003: Drawing
toolbar > AutoShapes > Lines – Word 2007: Insert tab > Illustrations group >
Shapes drop-down > Lines group) – but you can form a line to any shape you
wish.

For example, create a line using one of the “curved†line tools. If you
right-click the line, you can select “Edit Pointsâ€. You are now in a mode
where you can add connector points using Ctrl+click or by selecting “Add
Point†from the right-click menu. Check the right-click menu both when you
are in “Normal†mode and “Edit Point†mode to see what you can do. For
example, you can change a point to a smooth point. This will add a “tangentâ€
whose end points you can drag to fine adjust the shape.

Previously, I used Visio a lot (I don’t have the program now) and as far as
I remember, the functionality above is much like what you can do in Visio.

Recently, I created a number of Word templates with some rather precise
box-like shapes with curved top and bottom using the method above. The shapes
needed to be 100 % exact copies of shapes created in Adobe InDesign and it
was possible to obtain this using the Edit Points functionality.

--
Regards
Lene Fredborg - Microsoft MVP (Word)
DocTools - Denmark
www.thedoctools.com
Document automation - add-ins, macros and templates for Microsoft Word

 

[kingvdom]

Thanks to both your replies. I have been experiementing and not really
getting any closer to what I need (which is to fill in a hollow spot in a
graphic). I know where all the edit point commands are, but I haven't
figured out how to use them to do what I need. I think I will either have to
use the graphic as is or just do something totally different. Thanks anyway,
Suzanne & Lene.
vkm

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

I've never had much luck editing existing images (clip art) in Word, if
that's what you're trying to do.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org

 

[Mary Sauer]

There is some assistance here:
Microsoft Office Assistance Make clip art look original in Publisher
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011196801033.aspx
and here
http://msauer.mvps.org/microsoft_publisher_menus.htm

 

[kingvdom]

Thanks for these response. The second one (on msauer.mvps.org) just stops
short of getting to what I need, but what useful information both links
contain!! I have bookmarked for future reference. Thanks for providing those.
I have figured out a way to get very close to what I need. It took patience
and persistance but I think it will work.
Thanks again to everyone who responded to my question. I'd still be open to
getting more help if it specific to editing points in Word.
Cheers
vkm