Blue rounded rectangle with white Snagit logo inside

Arrow Tool

Add arrows to draw attention to areas in an image.

3d Snagit icon

Note: Arrow and other tools in the Snagit Editor toolbar are available to annotate and edit images. To draw an arrow while you record video, see Screen Draw.

Draw an Arrow

  1. Click the Arrow tool in the Snagit Editor toolbar.
    Arrow tool

    Note: If the tool is not visible in the toolbar, click the More dropdown. To customize your toolbar, see Customize the Snagit Toolbar.

  2. Select a Quick Style or edit the tool properties to customize the tool. See Tool Properties.
  3. Click and drag on the Canvas to draw an arrow starting with the tail.
    Arrow drawn from tail to head

    Tip: Draw a straight arrow

    Hold shift while dragging to draw a straight horizontal or vertical arrow.

  4. When you are finished with the Arrow tool, click the Move tool to select, move, edit, or delete objects you added to your image.
    Move tool

Add a Curved Arrow

Windows:

  1. Draw an arrow on the Canvas.
  2. Click to select the arrow on the Canvas.
  3. In the Tools Properties, click to enable the Bezier Curve checkbox.
  4. Click and drag the white handles to adjust the curve.
    Adjustable handles for bezier curve

Mac:

  1. Draw an arrow on the Canvas.
  2. Click to select the arrow on the Canvas.
  3. Click and drag the yellow handle in the center of the arrow adjust the curve. More handles appear for added control as you edit the arrow.
    Adjustable handles for bezier curve on Mac

Delete an Arrow

  1. Click to select the arrow on the Canvas.
  2. Press the Delete key.

Tool Properties

Edit the properties to customize the tool.

Tip: Save your customized tools.

Save your customized tools as a Quick Style for future use. See Quickly Access Favorite Styles and Tools.

Arrow properties on Windows Arrow properties on Mac

Color
Click the dropdown and select one of the following to set the color:

  • Click to select a preset or color from the palette.
    color selection
  • Enter a HEX or RGB value into the field.
    HEX field
  • Click the Eyedropper button and then click to select a color from anywhere on the screen.
    Eyedropper

Shadow
Click to select a shadow direction. To turn off the shadow, click to deselect the shadow direction.
Shadow control

Advanced Shadow Properties
Click the dropdown arrow to access additional Shadow properties:
Advanced Shadow Properties

  • Color: Select a color for the shadow.
  • Angle (Windows only): Set the direction of the shadow extending from the tool.
  • Distance: Increase/decrease the distance between the tool and the shadow.
  • Opacity: Increase/decrease the transparency of the shadow.
  • Blur: Increase/decrease the clarity of the shadow.

End Style
Click the dropdown to select an end style or arrow head for the arrow.
end style examples

Line Style
Click the dropdown to select a line style.
line style examples

Width
Drag the slider or enter a value in pixels to adjust the width of the arrow.

Opacity
Drag the slider to adjust the transparency level.
Opacity slider

Start/End Size
Drag the slider to adjust the size of the end style or arrow head.

Bezier Curve (Windows only)
Click to enable the Bezier Curve checkbox. On the Canvas, click and drag the white handles to adjust the curve.
Drag white handle to adjust bezier curve

Note: This tutorial is for Snagit version 2024. Previous versions may look or function differently.

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