2D Drawing Tools
CADit provides a variety of 2D drawing tools for creating shapes that become 3D objects. All tools are accessed from the 2D toolbar at the top of the 2D panel.
Pen Tools
Freehand Tool
Draw smooth, continuous curves by clicking and dragging.
How to use:
- Select the Freehand tool from the toolbar
- Click and hold to begin drawing
- Drag to draw your shape
- Release to complete the path
The path is automatically smoothed as you draw. Creates filled shapes by default.
Polygon Tool
Create shapes by clicking to place connected line segments.
How to use:
- Select the Polygon tool from the toolbar
- Click to place the first point
- Click to add additional points
- Double-click or click near the starting point to close the shape
Creates filled polygon shapes with straight edges between points.
Brush Tool
Paint thick strokes with variable width.
How to use:
- Select the Brush tool from the toolbar
- Click and drag to paint
- Adjust brush size using the context menu (Small, Medium, Large)
The brush creates filled paths with consistent thickness based on the selected size.
Shape Tools
Shape tools create precise geometric primitives. Click and drag to define the size, or click and drag while holding Shift to constrain proportions.
Circle
Draw circular shapes.
How to use:
- Select the Circle tool
- Click and drag from center to define radius
- Release to complete
Circle Segment
Draw arc segments (partial circles).
How to use:
- Select the Circle Segment tool
- Click and drag to define the segment
- Adjust the arc angle as needed
Rectangle
Draw rectangles and squares.
How to use:
- Select the Rectangle tool
- Click and drag diagonally to define corners
- Hold Shift for a perfect square
- Release to complete
Star
Create star shapes with customizable points.
How to use:
- Select the Star tool
- Click and drag to define size
- Adjust star parameters after creation using the properties panel
Triangle
Draw triangular shapes.
How to use:
- Select the Triangle tool
- Click and drag to define the triangle
- Release to complete
Polygon (Regular)
Create regular polygons (pentagon, hexagon, etc.).
How to use:
- Select the Polygon tool from the shape tools submenu
- Click and drag to define size
- Adjust the number of sides using the properties panel
Heart
Draw heart shapes.
How to use:
- Select the Heart tool
- Click and drag to define size
- Release to complete
Editing Tools
Transform Tool
Select, move, rotate, and resize shapes.
How to use:
- Select the Transform tool
- Click on a shape to select it
- Drag to move the shape
- Use corner handles to resize
- Use rotation handle to rotate
Selection:
- Click to select a single shape
- Click and drag to create a selection box
- Hold Shift to add/remove from selection
- Ctrl/Cmd+A selects all shapes
Eraser Tool
Remove parts of shapes by drawing over them.
How to use:
- Select the Eraser tool
- Adjust eraser size from the context menu (Small, Medium, Large)
- Click and drag over shapes to erase
Bucket Fill Tool
Fill enclosed areas with color.
How to use:
- Select the Bucket tool
- Select a color from the color picker
- Click inside an enclosed area to fill it
Only works on closed shapes with a clear interior.
Pipette Tool
Sample colors from existing shapes.
How to use:
- Select the Pipette tool (or access from color picker submenu)
- Click on any shape to sample its color
- The sampled color becomes the active color
Text Tool
Add 3D text to your design.
How to use:
- Select the Text tool
- Click on the canvas to place text
- Type your text in the input field
- Press Enter or click away to confirm
Fonts available:
- Abril Fatface
- Arimo
- Bellefair
- Braille
- Fascinate
- Joti One
- Lobster
- Oswald
- Play
- Ranga
Access font selection from the context menu when text is selected or the text tool is active.
Photo Guide Tool
Use a reference image while drawing.
How to use:
- Select the Photo Guide tool
- Import an image file
- Adjust the image position and opacity
- Trace over the image using other drawing tools
The photo guide image does not become part of your 3D model—it's only a visual reference.
Context Actions
When shapes are selected with the Transform tool, additional context actions appear at the bottom of the screen.
Color Picker
Change the color of selected shapes.
Preset colors: A palette of 24 colors organized by hue, plus the Pipette tool for sampling.
Hole Material
Toggle selected shapes as holes. Hole shapes cut through other shapes when they overlap.
Union (Combine)
Merge multiple selected filled shapes into a single shape.
Requires: Two or more filled shapes selected.
Cut
Subtract one or more shapes from another. The topmost shape cuts from shapes below it.
Requires: One or more shapes selected.
Duplicate
Create a copy of selected shapes, offset slightly from the original.
Delete
Remove selected shapes from the design.
Align
Align multiple selected shapes:
- Align Left / Right / Top / Bottom: Align to edges
- Align Horizontal / Vertical: Center alignment
Requires: Two or more shapes selected.
Font Selection
When text is selected, choose from available fonts to change the text style.
Tips
- Zoom and pan: Use mouse scroll to zoom, and middle-click or hold spacebar and drag to pan the canvas
- Precision: Hold Shift while using shape tools to constrain proportions
- Quick color selection: Click the color swatch in the context menu without opening the full picker
- Undo mistakes: Ctrl/Cmd+Z undoes the last action