Q. I can't get the Sample Box to the right of the Fill icon and Pen icon to work properly. I draw an object and select the fill pattern I want. The object fills correctly, but the fill pattern I selected does not appear in the Sample Box to the right of the Fill icon.
A. The Sample Box to the right of the Fill and Pen icons shows you the pattern that will appear in your next object. Follow these steps to see how they work:
1. Create a new graphics document and note that the Fill icon's Sample Box appears blank but is really white. The next object you draw will fill with white.
2. Click on the rectangle tool, and draw a rectangle. Note that the grid disappears behind the object because the object is filled with white.
3. Select "Black" from the Fill Palette. Note that the object now fills with black. However, the Sample Box remains white because ClarisWorks will fill the next object with white. To demonstrate that, click on the rectangle tool and draw another rectangle.
4. Click anywhere on the blank graphics page to de-select all the objects on the page. Now select any pattern from the Fill Palette. The Sample Box now shows that pattern, indicating that ClarisWorks will fill the next object with the pattern you selected.
5. Click on the Rectangle Tool and draw a rectangle. ClarisWorks will fill that rectangle with the pattern displayed in the Sample Box.
It takes a while to get accustomed to using the Sample Box correctly. However, once you understand how it works, you can appreciate the convenience of this feature which lets you change the pattern in any object without changing the pattern that will appear in all future objects.