How do I choose the style of a line before I draw it? in the Fill and Stroke panel the options are shaded out until after a draw the line. 

I'd like to make those decisions before I draw something. Same goes with text and basically with any tool. Am I missing something? or do all vector programs work this way? Seems odd to me coming from other programs where you choose first then do. Like say MS Word. It would be weird if you had to type everything first then set the formatting, font, size etc.

 thanks.

Colors can be quickly applied to the pen or pencil tool before each use, but not stroke width. 

That said, you can set a tool's style in preferences (double click on a tool), but it may be cumbersome for each use.

Other tools have settings for shape, etc., in the controls bar.

Hi Tyler, I haven't worked out how to set stroke and fill for the pen tool before drawing... how is that done pls? 

I tried selecting the Pen, but the stoke/fill controls at the bottom left of the screen ("control bar"?) are disabled.