Interface Overview

The Logos InkPen interface is designed for efficient vector design work, with tools and panels organized for quick access.

Main Window Layout

Interface Components

1. Menu Bar

Access all application commands through the menu bar:

• Logos InkPen: Preferences, Default Tool settings
• File: New, Open, Save, Import/Export options
• Edit: Undo/Redo, Cut/Copy/Paste, Selection commands
• Object: Arrange, Group, Transform, Path operations
• Panel: Quick access to right panel tabs
• View: Zoom, Display modes, Rulers, Grid, Snap options
• Tools: All drawing tools with keyboard shortcuts
• Window: Window management
• Help: Documentation and tips

2. Document Toolbar

Quick access to frequently used commands:

• Transformation Tools: Flip horizontal/vertical, rotate 90°
• Corner Radius: Adjust corner radius for selected shapes
• Close Path: Close open paths (⌘⇧J)
• View Modes: Toggle between Color and Keyline view
• Rulers: Show/hide rulers (⌘R)
• Grid: Show/hide grid with snap (⌘')
• Snap to Page: Fit artwork or selection to page
• Export: Quick export to PNG

3. Vertical Toolbar (Left)

Primary drawing and selection tools:

• Selection Tools: Selection, Direct Selection, Transform tools
• Drawing Tools: Pen, Freehand, Brush, Marker
• Shape Tools: Rectangle, Circle, Triangle, Polygon, Star
• Specialty Tools: Text, Eyedropper, Gradient, Corner Radius
• Navigation: Hand, Zoom tools
• Color Swatches: Quick color selection grid at bottom

Tip: Long-press tool buttons to reveal tool variants and groups.

4. Canvas Area

The main drawing area where you create and edit your designs:

• Rulers: Measurement guides along top and left edges
• Grid: Optional alignment grid (toggle with ⌘')
• Page Bounds: White rectangle showing document dimensions
• Pasteboard: Gray area outside page for temporary objects
• Selection Handles: Blue handles for transforming objects
• Anchor Points: Path points visible with Direct Selection tool

5. Right Panel System

Context-sensitive panels organized in tabs:

Layer Panel (⌘⇧L)

• View and organize all layers
• Create, delete, rename layers
• Lock/unlock and show/hide layers
• Drag to reorder layers
• Set active layer for new objects

Paint Panel (⌘⇧P)

• Fill Settings: Color, opacity, blend mode
• Stroke Settings: Color, width, dash pattern, caps, joins
• Shadow Effects: Color, offset, blur, opacity
• Transform Values: Precise position, size, rotation
• Opacity & Blending: Object transparency and blend modes

Grade Panel (⌘⇧G)

• Create and edit gradients
• Linear and radial gradient types
• Add/remove color stops
• Adjust stop positions and colors
• Save gradients as presets
• Apply gradients to fill or stroke

Ink Panel (⌘⇧C)

• Advanced color picker
• RGB, CMYK, HSB color modes
• Pantone color library
• Apple system colors
• Color history and favorites
• Eyedropper for sampling

Path Panel (⌘⇧O)

• Boolean Operations: Unite, Subtract, Intersect, Exclude
• Path Commands: Outline stroke, simplify, expand
• Compound Paths: Create and release
• Path Direction: Reverse path direction
• Join Paths: Connect selected endpoints

Font Panel (⌘⇧F)

• Font family and style selection
• Size, leading, tracking, kerning
• Alignment: left, center, right, justify
• Text color and effects
• Convert text to outlines
• OpenType features

6. Status Bar

Information display at bottom of window:

• Zoom Level: Current zoom percentage
• Cursor Position: X, Y coordinates
• Selection Info: Number of selected objects
• Document Units: Current measurement units

Customizing the Interface

Panel Management

• Click panel tabs to switch between panels
• Drag panel edges to resize
• Double-click panel tab to collapse/expand
• Use Panel menu to quickly jump to any panel

Workspace Preferences

Customize your workspace in Preferences (⌘,):

• Default tool on startup
• Grid spacing and color
• Ruler units (pixels, points, inches, mm)
• Canvas background color
• Pressure sensitivity settings

Keyboard Navigation

• Space: Temporarily activate Hand tool
• Tab: Hide/show all panels
• ⌘0: Fit page in window
• ⌘1: Actual size (100%)
• ⌘+/−: Zoom in/out

Interface Tips

Related Topics

• Complete Tools Reference
• Working with Panels
• Keyboard Shortcuts
• Setting Preferences

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