How-to

🧱 Vector Ink Shape Tools & Icon Library Tour | Fast, Clean Design Essentials

Introduction

Clean, consistent shapes are the foundation of strong vector design. In this tour, we will walk through Vector Ink's Shape Tools and the built-in Icon Library so you can create polished logos, icons, and layouts quickly and with precision.

What you will learn

  • How to place and edit rectangles, circles, polygons, stars, and lines
  • How to constrain proportions and scale from center for precise geometry
  • Where to find and how to use the Icon Library for fast, editable vectors
  • Practical tips for clean construction and faster iteration

Shape Tools Overview

Open the Shape Tools from the toolbar (smiley icon with a small triangle). Tap once to use the current tool, or tap again to reveal the full list of shapes. Below are the essentials and when to use them:

Rectangle Tool

Best for: buttons, cards, badges, UI blocks.
Use Constrain to force a perfect square and Scale from Center for symmetrical sizing. In the control bar, set a corner radius to instantly round corners for modern, friendly shapes.

Circle Tool

Best for: marks, avatars, soft highlights, geometric bases.
Combine with Constrain and Scale from Center to place perfect circles exactly where you need them.

Polygon Tool

Best for: triangles, hexagons, octagons, and faceted geometry.
Adjust the number of sides in the control bar for instant variations. Great for grid-based logos and icon foundations.

Star Tool

Best for: badges, bursts, seals, and ornamental marks.
Tune sides, radius, and spoke depth to create sharp or rounded stars. Small radius values produce soft, emblem-like stars that layer well in badge designs.

Line Tool

Best for: dividers, underlines, tick marks, and wireframes.
Use snapping for pixel-perfect alignment. Convert lines to shapes later if you need custom end caps with the Path/Stroke tools.

Precision Tips

  • Toggle Constrain while drawing to keep shapes uniform (or hold Shift on desktop).
  • Use Scale from Center to grow elements outward evenly from a focal point.
  • Combine basic shapes, then refine with the Path Builder or Corner tool for cleaner silhouettes.
  • Align and distribute with the Align and Arrange panels for perfect spacing.

Icon Library: Instant, Editable Vectors

Need a head start? Open the Icon Library from the Shapes menu and search by keyword or browse categories (for example, esports). Insert any icon, ungroup it, and edit fills, strokes, and points. All icons are vector-based and ready for customization. Subscribers can use the full collection commercially inside Vector Ink.

Workflow Examples

  • Badge Logo: Combine a star with a circle, add text, then polish with corner radius and alignment tools.
  • App Icon: Start with rounded rectangles, overlay a simple polygon or star, and apply a gradient fill.
  • Quick Prototype: Drop in an Icon Library mark, tweak colors, and round corners for a finished look in minutes.

Conclusion

Mastering the Shape Tools plus the Icon Library gives you fast, flexible building blocks for any design. Start simple, stack shapes, refine edges, and you will get clean, professional results every time.

Ready to build something now? Launch Vector Ink and try these techniques on your next logo or icon.

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