Modifying an AutoShape
There are many ways to modify the shape of an AutoShape or WordArt object. The easiest is to simply drag a side selection handle to change its perspective.
In addition, most AutoShapes and WordArt can be twisted, stretched, and otherwise manipulated by dragging the yellow diamond on the shape. Figure 7-31 shows some examples of what you can do to a curved arrow, for instance. The original AutoShape is the one in the top left corner.
Figure 7-31: Some examples of how stretching an AutoShape can alter its appearance.
The key is in the adjustment handles on the object. Most AutoShapes have at least one yellow diamond on them. You can drag the yellow diamond to modify the shape. When you drag the diamond, you modify the thickness and size of the shape. For example, on a parallelogram you can change the amount of tilt, or on a block arrow you can change the thickness of the arrow shaft and the height of the arrowhead. Some shapes have only one adjustment handle; others have two or three. It depends on the type of shape and in what ways it can be modified. In Figure 7-32, the shape shown has two diamonds, and one of them is being dragged.
Figure 7-32: To stretch an AutoShape, drag a yellow diamond.