Interaction types and keyboard shortcuts in the drawing tools module

This article outlines all the different ways to draw and edit shapes using a mouse, touch screen, or keyboard shortcuts.

The drawing manager supports three different ways of interacting with the map, to draw shapes.

• click - Coordinates are added when the mouse or touch is clicked.
• freehand - Coordinates are added when the mouse or touch is dragged on the map.
• hybrid - Coordinates are added when the mouse or touch is clicked or dragged.

How to draw shapes

Before any shape can be drawn, set the drawingMode option of the drawing manager to a supported drawing setting. This setting can be programmed, or invoked by pressing one of the drawing buttons on the toolbar. The drawing mode stays enabled, even after a shape has been drawn, making it easy to draw more shapes of the same type. Programmatically set the drawing mode to an idle state. Or, switch to an idle state by selecting the current drawing modes button on the toolbar.

The next sections outline all the different ways that shapes can be drawn on the map.

How to draw a point

When the drawing manager is in draw-point drawing mode, the following actions can be done to draw points on the map. These methods work with all interaction modes.

Start drawing

• Select the left mouse button, or touch the map to add a point to the map.
• If the mouse is over the map, press the F key, and a point is added at the coordinate of the mouse pointer. This method provides higher accuracy for adding a point to the map. There's less movement on the mouse due to the pressing motion of the left mouse button.
• Keep clicking, touching, or pressing F to add more points to the map.

Finish drawing

• Select any button in the drawing toolbar.
• Programmatically set the drawing mode.
• Press the C key.

Cancel drawing

• Press the Escape key.

How to draw a line

When the drawing manager is in draw-line mode, the following actions can be done to draw points on the map, depending on the interaction mode.

Start drawing

• Click mode
  • Select left mouse button, or touch the map to add each point of a line on the map. A coordinate is added to the line for each click or touch.
  • If the mouse is over the map, press the F key, and a point is added at the coordinate of the mouse pointer. This method provides higher accuracy for adding a point to the map. There's less movement on the mouse due to the pressing motion of the left mouse button.
  • Keep clicking until all the desired points have been added to the line.
• Freehand mode
  • Press down the left mouse button, or touch-down on the map and drag the mouse, or touch point around. Coordinates are added to the line as the mouse or touch point moves around the map. As soon as the mouse or touch-up event is triggered, the drawing is completed. The drawing managers freehandInterval option defines the frequency at which coordinates are added.
• Hybrid mode
  • Alternate between click and freehand methods, as desired, while drawing a single line. For example, click a few points, then hold and drag the mouse to add a bunch of points, then click a few more.

Finish drawing

• Hybrid/Click mode
  • Double-click the map at the last point.
  • Click on any button in the drawing toolbar.
  • Programmatically set the drawing mode.
• Freehand mode
  • Release the mouse button or touch point.
• Press the C key.

Cancel drawing

• Press the Escape key.

How to draw a polygon

When the drawing manager is in draw-polygon mode, the following actions can be done to draw points on the map, depending on the interaction mode.

Start drawing

• Click mode
  • Select the left mouse button, or touch the map to add each point of a polygon on the map. A coordinate is added to the polygon for each click or touch.
  • If the mouse is over the map, press the F key, and a point is added at the coordinate of the mouse pointer. This method provides higher accuracy for adding a point to the map. There's less movement on the mouse due to the pressing motion of the left mouse button.
  • Keep clicking until all the desired points have been added to the polygon.
• Freehand mode
  • Press down the left mouse button, or touch-down on the map and drag the mouse, or touch point around. Coordinates are added to the polygon as the mouse or touch point moves around the map. As soon as the mouse or touch-up event is triggered, the drawing is completed. The drawing managers freehandInterval option defines the frequency at which coordinates are added.
• Hybrid mode
  • Alternate between click and freehand methods, as desired, while drawing a single polygon. For example, click a few points, then hold and drag the mouse to add a bunch of points, then click a few more.

Finish drawing

• Hybrid/Click mode
  • Double-click the map at the last point.
  • Click on the first point in the polygon.
  • Click on any button in the drawing toolbar.
  • Programmatically set the drawing mode.
• Freehand mode
  • Release the mouse button or touch point.
• Press the C key.

Cancel drawing

• Press the Escape key.

How to draw a rectangle

When the drawing manager is in draw-rectangle mode, the following actions can be done to draw points on the map, depending on the interaction mode. The generated shape follows the extended GeoJSON specification for rectangles.

Start drawing

• Press down the left mouse button, or touch-down on the map to add the first corner of the rectangle and drag to create the rectangle.

Finish drawing

• Release the mouse button or touch point.
• Programmatically set the drawing mode.
• Press the C key.

Cancel drawing

• Press the Escape key.

How to draw a circle

When the drawing manager is in draw-circle mode, the following actions can be done to draw points on the map, depending on the interaction mode. The generated shape follows the extended GeoJSON specification for circles.

Start drawing

• Press down the left mouse button, or touch-down on the map to add the center of the circle and drag give the circles a radius.

Finish drawing

• Release the mouse button or touch point.
• Programmatically set the drawing mode.
• Press the C key.

Cancel drawing

• Press the Escape key.

Keyboard shortcuts

The drawing tools support keyboard shortcuts. These keyboard shortcuts are functional when the map is in focus.

Key	Action
C	Completes any drawing that is in progress and sets the drawing mode to idle. Focus moves to top-level map element.
Escape	Cancels any drawing that is in progress and sets the drawing mode to idle. Focus moves to top-level map element.
F	Adds a coordinate to a point, line, or polygon if the mouse is over the map. Equivalent action of clicking the map when in click or hybrid mode. This shortcut allows for more precise and faster drawings. You can use one hand to position the mouse and other to press the button without moving the mouse from the press gesture.
Delete or Backspace	If shapes are selected while the edit mode, delete them.

Next steps

Learn more about the classes in the drawing tools module:

Drawing manager

Drawing toolbar