CHAPTER
23
DRAWING AND EDITING PATHS
Path tools let you draw and edit vector object paths of any shape.
This chapter explains how to draw paths, edit paths, and edit curves
segments using the control points that define them.
Drawing with the Path tools
You can use the Curve, Polygon, Freehand, and Auto Curve tools to
draw vector objects as open or closed paths. When you use the
Curve, Polygon, and Auto Curve tools, you set anchor points to
define path segments. With the Freehand tool, you simply drag to
draw a path. The Reshape and Push tools let you edit paths.
The Polygon tool draws paths with straight segments. The Curve
and Auto Curve tools can draw paths with straight and curved seg-
ments. Paths drawn with the Freehand tool generally are made of
curved segments based on the movement of the pointer.
When you draw with the Path tools, Canvas uses the current pen ink,
fill ink, and stroke settings for the vector objects you create.
Drawing polygons
When you use the Polygon tool to draw an object, you set anchor
points that define a path of straight line segments. As with any path
object, you can later make the straight segments curved. For editing
information, see Editing object paths on page 23.425.
1 Select the Polygon tool in the Path Tools toolbar.
2 Click to set the first anchor point, shown as a small square.
3
Click where you want to place the second anchor point.
You can press the pointer to display the segment, drag to
position it, and then release the mouse button.
To constrain placement of a segment to 45° intervals, press
Shift while drawing the segment.
4
Repeat the last step to draw more segments. To remove the last
segment you drew, press Delete.
5
To complete the polygon:
Path tools
Curve, Freehand, Polygon,
Auto Curve, Reshape, Push