Polyline Tool
Click to place the first point, click to add more points, double-click or press Enter to finish. Use the Polyline tool for open paths, closed shapes, and freeform garden layouts.
Polyline ToolThe Polyline tool lets you define any multi-point path by clicking vertices one at a time, making it the go-to tool for tracing garden bed edges, property boundaries, lawn outlines, and centerlines for walkways. In freeform mode the sidebar tracks Total Length and Point Count live as you draw, and you can edit or delete any vertex numerically after placing it. When you need a standard shape fast, switch to preset mode and choose from Rectangle, Rounded Rectangle, Oval, Kidney, L-Shape, T-Shape, or U-Shape — set the dimensions in the sidebar and place the shape with a single click.
Closed path option
In freeform mode, enable Closed path in the sidebar options. The last segment will automatically connect back to the first point when you finish, creating a closed polygon. Closed paths can be filled with color or material.
Shape presets
Click a shape preset tile in the sidebar (Rectangle, Rounded, Oval, Kidney, L-Shape, T-Shape, U-Shape). A ghost preview appears on the canvas that follows your cursor. Set the exact dimensions (Width, Depth, and optional Corner Radius or Wing dimensions) in the sidebar. Click once on the canvas to place the shape at that position.
Editing placed points
In freeform mode, the Points list in the sidebar shows every vertex with X and Y coordinate fields. Edit any field to move that vertex precisely. Click the + button to append a new point at the end of the path. Click the delete icon next to a point to remove it.
Close the path into a polygon
Enable the Closed path toggle in the sidebar before finishing. This connects the last vertex back to the first, creating a closed polygon with a fillable face. A closed polyline can receive a surface style (color, material, or image fill) just like any other closed shape in the 2D editor.
Edit vertex positions numerically
After placing points, scroll down in the sidebar to the Points list. Each vertex has editable X and Y coordinate fields — type a value and press Tab or Enter to move that vertex precisely. Use the + button at the bottom of the list to append a new point, or click the delete icon beside any row to remove that vertex.
Place a shape preset
Click any preset tile at the top of the sidebar — Rectangle, Rounded, Oval, Kidney, L-Shape, T-Shape, or U-Shape. The sidebar switches to show the relevant dimension fields: all presets expose Width and Depth; the Rounded preset also shows Corner Radius; L-, T-, and U-shapes expose Wing Width and Wing Depth for the branch. Adjust the values and click once on the canvas to place the shape at that location.
Return to freeform drawing
To go back to freeform mode after selecting a preset, click the Custom tile (the pencil icon) in the preset row. The sidebar reverts to the freeform Total Length / Point Count view and you can resume clicking vertices on the canvas.
Draw the centerline of a walkway or path as a polyline first, then use the Offset tool to push the line outward on both sides by the desired half-width. This gives you perfectly parallel edges without manually measuring each side.
Polylines placed in freeform mode support the full Node Edit workflow after creation. Select the entity and activate Edit Path from the inspector to drag individual vertices, insert midpoints, or convert segments to curves.
Pressing Esc discards all points placed in the current drawing session — there is no partial undo after cancellation. If you drew a long border by mistake, finish it with Enter first, then delete the entity, so you can undo the deletion later if needed.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Enter | Finish polyline |
| Backspace | Undo last placed point |
| Shift | Constrain segment to 45° increments |
| Esc | Cancel drawing session |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I finish a polyline without accidentally adding an extra point?
Press Enter, or double-click on the last point you placed. A single click always adds a new vertex, so using the keyboard shortcut is the safest way to stop.
I placed an extra point by mistake — can I undo just that one point?
Yes. Press Backspace while still in the drawing session to remove the most recently placed vertex. You can press Backspace multiple times to step back through the points one by one without canceling the whole path.
Why can't I apply a fill style to my polyline?
Only closed paths have a fillable face. Enable the Closed path toggle before you finish drawing, or close the path later by selecting the entity and using the Node Edit tool to connect the last vertex to the first. Once closed, the shape accepts any surface style.
Can I change a preset shape's dimensions after placing it?
Yes. Select the placed entity and open the inspector. The dimension fields (Width, Depth, Corner Radius, etc.) remain editable and the shape regenerates immediately when you change a value.
What is the difference between the Polyline tool and the Line tool?
The Line tool draws a single two-point segment and then deactivates. The Polyline tool stays active, letting you chain unlimited segments into one connected path that is treated as a single entity — far more efficient for multi-point outlines and borders.