Diagrammix3 provides a comprehensive toolbar with specialized tools for creating and editing diagrams. This page catalogs all available tools with their purposes and keyboard shortcuts.

Accessing Tools

Tools are available in the main toolbar at the top of the window. Click a tool to activate it, or use its keyboard shortcut for quick access.

Selection & Navigation Tools

Select Tool

Icon: Arrow cursor Shortcut: V or EscPurpose: Select, move, and resize objects

Features:

• Click to select individual objects
• Drag to move selected objects
• Drag handles to resize
• Shift+Click to add to selection
• Cmd+Click to toggle selection
• Drag empty area for lasso selection

When to use: Default tool for most operations

Pan Tool

Icon: Hand Shortcut: Space (hold) or HPurpose: Navigate around the canvas without moving objects

Features:

• Drag to scroll the canvas
• Access anywhere by holding Space
• Useful for large diagrams
• Doesn't affect object selection

When to use: Navigating large diagrams, when zoomed in

Zoom Tool

Icon: Magnifying glass Shortcut: Z (zoom in), Option+Z (zoom out) Purpose: Change magnification level

Features:

• Click to zoom in
• Option+Click to zoom out
• Drag to zoom to specific area
• Zoom controls in View menu for precise levels

When to use: Detailed work (zoom in), overview (zoom out)

Shape Creation Tools

Vector Shape Tool

Icon: Rectangle/Circle selector Shortcut: R (Rectangle), O (Ellipse) Purpose: Create predefined geometric shapes

Available shapes:

• Rectangle
• Rounded Rectangle
• Ellipse/Circle
• Stadium (pill shape)
• Diamond
• Hexagon
• Various polygons

Features:

• Click and drag to size the shape
• Hold Shift to constrain proportions (square, circle)
• Double-click palette shape to add at canvas center

When to use: Creating basic diagram elements

Vector Line Tool

Icon: Diagonal line Shortcut: LPurpose: Draw straight line segments

Features:

• Click to place start point
• Click again to place end point
• Continue clicking to create polyline
• Double-click or press Enter to finish
• Hold Shift to constrain to 45° angles

When to use: Creating custom line-based shapes

Vector Arrow Tool

Icon: Arrow line Shortcut: APurpose: Draw single arrow line with arrowhead

Features:

• Similar to Line Tool but with arrowhead
• Quick way to create standalone directional indicators
• Arrowhead style adjustable via Inspector

When to use: Simple directional markers, not connected relationships

Vector Freehand Tool

Icon: Pen/Pencil Shortcut: FPurpose: Draw freeform curved paths

Features:

• Click to place nodes
• Drag while placing to create curves
• Automatic bezier curve smoothing
• Double-click or Enter to finish
• Creates closed shapes automatically

When to use: Creating organic, custom shapes

Vector Path Tool

Icon: Bezier pen Shortcut: P (or B) Purpose: Advanced path drawing with bezier curve control

Features:

• Click to place corner nodes
• Click and drag to create curves with handles
• Maximum control over curve shape
• Edit nodes after creation
• Professional vector drawing capabilities

When to use: Complex custom shapes, logos, illustrations

Vector Polygon Tool

Icon: Pentagon/Hexagon Shortcut: None (select from toolbar) Purpose: Create regular polygons with variable sides

Features:

• Adjustable number of sides (3-20+)
• Always creates regular (equal-sided) polygons
• Quick creation of: triangles, pentagons, hexagons, octagons

When to use: Geometric shapes beyond rectangles/circles

Connection Tools

Connector Tool

Icon: Line with endpoints Shortcut: C or Cmd+LPurpose: Create connections between shapes

Features:

• Click source shape, drag to target shape
• Multiple routing modes (straight, orthogonal, smart)
• Automatically maintains connections when shapes move
• Add text labels to connectors
• Learn more about connectors

When to use: Showing relationships, flows, connections

Sticky Spot Tool

Icon: Crosshair/Target Shortcut: SPurpose: Add custom connection points to shapes

Features:

• Click on shape to place sticky spot
• Drag to reposition sticky spots
• Connectors snap to sticky spots
• Learn more about sticky spots

When to use: Precise control over connection points

Text Tools

Text Tool

Icon: "T" letter Shortcut: TPurpose: Create standalone text objects

Features:

• Click to place single-line text
• Drag to create multi-line text box
• Full formatting (font, size, color, alignment)
• Rotate text to any angle
• Learn more about text tool

When to use: Labels, annotations, titles, notes

Advanced Tools

Table Tool

Icon: Grid Shortcut: None (select from toolbar) Purpose: Create structured data tables

Features:

• Create rows and columns
• Merge and split cells
• Cell formatting and styling
• Perfect for UML class diagrams
• Learn more about tables

When to use: Data grids, UML classes, structured information

Copy Style Tool (Format Painter)

Icon: Paintbrush Shortcut: Option+Cmd+CPurpose: Copy styling from one object to others

Features:

• Click source object, then click targets
• Copies fill, stroke, text formatting
• Stays active for multiple applications
• Learn more about copy styles

When to use: Applying consistent styling across objects

UML-Specific Tools

These tools appear when working with UML diagram types:

UML Class Tool

Icon: Class box Shortcut: U or Cmd+Shift+CPurpose: Create UML class boxes

Features:

• Three compartments: name, attributes, operations
• Stereotype support
• Visibility modifiers (+, -, #, ~)
• Learn more about UML class diagrams

UML Relationship Tool

Icon: Connector with arrowhead Shortcut: RPurpose: Create UML relationships (inheritance, composition, etc.)

Features:

• Inheritance, composition, aggregation, dependency
• Correct arrowheads for each type
• Automatic routing

UML Sequence Participant Tool

Icon: Actor/Box on lifeline Shortcut: Cmd+Shift+PPurpose: Add participants to sequence diagrams

Features:

• Actor, boundary, entity, control, database types
• Automatic lifeline creation
• Learn more about sequence diagrams

UML Sequence Message Tool

Icon: Arrow between lifelines Shortcut: MPurpose: Draw messages between participants

Features:

• Synchronous, asynchronous, return messages
• Automatic numbering
• Activation box creation

UML Fragment Tool

Icon: Frame/Box Shortcut: None (select from toolbar) Purpose: Create combined fragments (alt, loop, opt)

Features:

• Alt (alternative), Loop, Opt (optional)
• Multiple operands
• Fragment interaction regions

Tool Selection Tips

General Workflow

1. Start with Select Tool - Navigate and arrange existing elements
2. Switch to creation tools - Add new shapes, connectors, text
3. Return to Select Tool - Position and adjust
4. Use keyboard shortcuts - Speed up tool switching

Quick Tool Switching

• Press Esc to return to Select Tool from any other tool
• Hold Space temporarily for Pan Tool
• Use keyboard shortcuts for frequently-used tools
• Tools remain active until you switch (except temporary modes)

Tool States

Some tools have single-use vs. persistent modes:

• Single-use: Tool deactivates after one operation (some tools)
• Persistent: Tool stays active for multiple operations (most tools)
• Press Esc or click Select Tool to exit persistent tool mode

Keyboard Shortcut Quick Reference

Modifier Keys:

• Shift - Constrain proportions/angles
• Option/Alt - Modify tool behavior (zoom out, etc.)
• Cmd - Add to selection, access alternate tools

Customizing Tool Behavior

Some tool behaviors can be customized in Preferences → Diagram:

• Default connector routing mode
• Grid snapping behavior
• Smart guides on/off
• Auto-size text boxes

Related Topics

• Keyboard Shortcuts - Complete shortcut reference
• Shapes - Working with shapes
• Connectors - Connector details
• Text Tool - Text tool specifics
• Vector Path Editing - Advanced path editing