plays special editing handles or configuration options, rather than the
anchor points and segments of a regular path object.
The tools that create special vector objects are the Concentric Circles,
Cube, Polygon, Grid Maker, Multigon, Spiral, and EasyShapes tools.
Also, when you modify objects with the Envelope or Extrude com-
mands, Canvas creates specialized objects.
If you want to use path-editing techniques to modify these objects,
you can convert them to paths. This usually produces a group of
objects. After you ungroup these objects, you will have regular paths
that can be edited using the techniques in this chapter. You can also
convert text characters to paths so that you can edit the shapes of
individual characters. For more information, see Converting objects
and text to paths on page 23.441.
Editing paths with the context menu
When a path is in edit mode, you can use the context menu to quickly
add, delete, and change anchor points and tangent lines. To see this
menu, Control-click (Mac) or right-click (Windows) with at least one
object in path edit mode. The available options vary depending on the
location of the pointer. Each option is described next.
Delete Point
Available when the pointer is on an anchor point and
appears as a crosshair. Removes the anchor point from the path, and
connects the adjacent anchor points with a new segment.
Cusp
Available when the pointer is on a tangent line handle or an
anchor point. On anchor points, this option deletes the points tangent
lines. On tangent line handles, this option makes the path either
smooth or cornered at the anchor point. To be smooth, the anchor
point must have both sides of a tangent line. When smooth, the
halves of the tangent line are always 180 degrees from each other and
rotate around the anchor point like a propeller. When the anchor
point is a corner, the tangent line segments can move independently
around the anchor point, like the hands of a clock.
Smooth
jAvailable when two or more points of an object are
selected. You can smooth any paths made of straight segments.
Fillet
Available when the pointer is on a corner point (with less than
two tangent lines between two segments. Fillet creates a radius cor-
ner between the two segments. When you choose Fillet, a dialog box
appears. Enter a radius value in the text box and click OK. The larger
The path-editing Context menu