how do you get the drawing tool to work?

[mattStripe]

HI

I'm real new to font lab ( im using 5.0.2 for the mac ), and have a problem.
I have just imported a background bitmap file into the "a" glyph window, going file/import/backgound.
However I now dont know how to get the drawing tool to work, so i can trace around my background "a" image.
The tool symbol is not responding to my clicks, ( its just gone gray ) I think maybe I am in the wrong mode but don't know
how to change it.

please help im in a pickle!
thanks matt
 

[Alex Petrov (FontLab)]

The tool symbol is not responding to my clicks,

It is not clear enough what you mean by "tool symbol". Is the Glyph window open? Can you select the Tools>Background>Trace command?

[mattStripe]

thanks for the reply,

the tools/background/ trace command is working, however its not what I want to achieve.
( not sure if thats what you intended )
The glyph window is open
The tool symbol that is not working is inside the - view / Toolbars / tools menu.
It is the drawing tool that is the third one down on the left side - Drawing tool.
I dont know how to access it , for some reason it is just gray and wont work.
Is there a special drawing mode I am supposed to be in, maybe I am still in the background mode.

thnks for helping!

[Alex Petrov (FontLab)]

OK. The Drawing tool can be disabled in two cases:
1. The Sketch mode is active. Press Alt(Option)-1 to enter the Edit mode.
2. The outline layer was locked. Use the View > Lock layers > Outline command to anlock the layer for drawing.

[mattStripe]

Brilliant thanks Alex, that worked out ! 
my outline was locked.

cheers
mt

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