Star tool doesn't work

Hi,

when using any tool in Inkscape, a tool-specific toolbar appears. For the star/polygon tool, in this tool-specific toolbar, you can see 2 buttons, one with a polygon shape and the other with a star shape. Click the star shape and you're done.

regards.

Thank you for answering. I cannot access the star tool at all. Only the polygon shape works so when I click on the star shape I still get the polygon.

Please read the related section of the manual:
<http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL/html/Shapes-Stars.html>

On the controls bar of the star tool (the toolbar right above the canvas
if the star tool is active), you can switch between drawing stars and
polygons (left-most option, right after the label 'New:').

Hi, SUV,

I am so sorry. I know that in order to make a star I much choose from the icons on the left and then be able to switch between the polygon and star above the canvas. I was able to get this to work the first couple of times and then all of a sudden yesterday I could not make any shape other than the polygon. I must have clicked something wrong, because it was working fine until as I said yesterday. Even though I am new to learning this type of program I can grasp the instructions. I appreciate the time spent in trying to direct me, but I believe it is beyond simply clicking the correct icon. I was thinking of uninstalling and installing the program. What do you guys think?

I began fiddling with the polygon shape that keeps forming while the star icon at the top of the canvas is highlighted. I must have changed the shape into a polygon without realizing it because when I was fooling around wit the graphic I changed it into star. I now see that there are a lot of ways to manipulate the object. I am happy I found this out by myself and will now proceed to learn as much as I can. Thank you .

On 2013-07-09 07:16 +0100, Sue Mischel wrote:
> I must have changed
> the shape into a polygon without realizing it because when I was fooling
> around wit the graphic I changed it into star. I now see that there are
> a lot of ways to manipulate the object.

The 'Brush' icon at the far right end of the star tool controls bar allows to revert the tool to the default settings any time - otherwise it will remember and reuse the last used values for each of the geometric parameters (these parameters can be tweaked either numerically via controls bar or on-canvas by dragging the two shape handles (diamonds) of the currently selected star/polygon shape).

The actual effect when dragging one of the shape handles on-canvas with the mouse also depends on whether or not a modifier key is pressed while dragging - the messages in the status bar display basic information for each modifier when hovering each of the shape handles with the mouse.

The context menu (right click) of the input entries on the controls bar show preset values which might also be helpful while getting more acquainted with the features and shape parameters of the star tool. Additionally you might find useful tips in the tutorial shipping with Inkscape (see menu 'Help > Tutorials > Inkscape: Shapes').
The tutorial is also available as HTML version (suitable for printing) here:
<http://inkscape.org/doc/shapes/tutorial-shapes.html>

You are fantastic. I have been reading the tutorial and I am going to print the manual out - it is easier for me to study with hard copy. I discovered the reset brush by READING the manual! Can you imagine reading this manual actually is so clear cut that even I can understand it. You hit the nail on the head with your advice and understandable instructions. Thank you. My program is back in shape and I am ready to practice more moves.