1. If you need to use the same tool successively, double-click the tool. The tool icon in the tool palette will turn black. Now you can draw as many of the same type of objects as you wish without having to reselect the tool.
2. To copy and paste custom patterns from one document to another, fill an object with the pattern you want to move and simply copy the object to the other document. MacDraw II will add the pattern to the far right end of the pattern palette. You might need to scroll all the way to the right to see it.
3. To see the outline of an object as you drag, hold down the command key while dragging. This can help you position objects more quickly when you move them.
4. Use the "shift" command keys to help navigate the menus. MacDraw II supports a number of "shifted" command keys which work together in pairs.
Command
G Group
H Lock
E Smooth
J Move Backward
F Move Forward
W Close Window
O Open Document
= Check Spelling
Shift Command
G Ungroup
H Unlock
E Unsmooth
J Move to Back
F Move to Front
W Move Window to Back
O Open Library
= Spell Check Word
5. To rotate objects more precisely, move the mouse further away from the object you are rotating. For even more precision, zoom in as far as possible. For the maximum precision (.01 degree), use the Preferences dialog to specify the exact angle. Then hold down the shift key while rotating and the object will rotate to the precise angle specified.