Drawing Scribble and Freeform Shapes

“Freeform” shapes are MapPoint’s name for polylines and polygons. These are defined with multiple points (vertices). Polygons are closed shapes and are ideal for territories and drive-time zones. Polylines are open shapes and are ideal for route annotation.

“Scribble” and “Freeform” shapes are actually the same but they are drawn in a different manner.

Press the “Scribble” (wavy line) button on the Drawing toolbar to start a scribble shape. Then left-button click on the map and drag to draw a line. MapPoint will insert data points as required to create a freeform shape that matches your mouse motion. Here is an example:

The control points inserted by MapPoint are displayed as small black squares. The shape can be modified by left-button dragging these.

A freeform shape can also be created by setting each individual control point. Do this by selecting the “Freeform” (polygon) button on the Drawing Toolbar.  Then left-click on the map to place each control point. The shape can be closed by clicking on the starting point, or by right clicking on a completed shape and selecting “Close Curve”. A shape can be “finished” by right clicking or by double left clicking.

Here is an example closed freeform shape:

Note that it tends to be more angular. This does not have to be the case: you can add as many points as you wish.

“Scribble” drawing is ideal if you are tracing a track or road that is on the map. “Freeform” drawing is ideal if you want to define a shape in terms of points – e.g. road junctions or pushpins.

Shape Sizes

The length (or perimeter) of a freeform shape can be displayed. Do this by right clicking on the shape and selecting Show Size. The above image shows an example closed freeform shape with its perimeter displayed (56.0 miles).

Editing Freeform Shapes

Existing freeform shapes can be edited and modified. First select the by left clicking on it to display the black control squares. Each control point (black square) can be moved by left-button dragging it.

New points can be inserted by right clicking on the shape line where you want to insert the new point. Then select Add Point from the popup menu.

A point can be deleted by right clicking on the point and selecting Delete Point from the popup menu.

It is possible to close an open freeform shape. Do this by right-clicking on the shape and selecting Close curve. Similarly, a closed curve can be “opened” by deleting a line segment. A line segment joins two adjacent control points. Do this by right clicking on the line segment and selecting Delete segment from the popup menu.

An entire shape (of any type) can be deleted by selecting it and then pressing the “DEL” or “Delete” key.

Arrows can be added to a freeform shape – see Drawing Lines and Arrows for further information.