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Adding, deleting, and converting anchor points


    You can add or delete anchor points on any path. Additional anchor points can give you more control over the path, or extend an open path. You can also connect two open paths. Similarly, you can delete anchor points to change the shape of a path or to simplify the path. It's a good idea to delete any unnecessary points to reduce the complexity of the path.

    TipYou can use the Path Simplify command to remove extra anchor points on a path without changing the path's shape. (See Simplifying paths.)

    The pen tool automatically changes to the add-anchor-point tool or the delete-anchor-point tool as you position it over a selected path. The add-anchor-point tool adds the necessary type of point (corner or smooth) to preserve the existing shape of the path.

    Note: You must delete anchor points by using the delete-anchor-point tool or the Path Simplify command. The Delete, Backspace, and Clear keys and the Edit > Cut or Edit > Clear commands always delete the entire path even if you select an anchor point on the path.

To add or delete an anchor point:

  1. Using the direct-selection tool  the direct-selection tool , select the paths to which you want to add or delete anchor points.
  2. Select the pen tool  the pen tool , add-anchor-point tool  the add-anchor-point tool , or delete-anchor-point tool  the delete-anchor-point tool . All of these tools share the same location in the toolbox; if necessary, position the pointer over the pen tool and drag to choose the tool you want.
  3. Do one of the following:
    • To add an anchor point using either the pen tool or the add-anchor-point tool  the add-anchor-point tool , position the pointer over a path segment and click.
    • To delete an anchor point using either the pen tool or the delete-anchor-point tool, position the pointer over an anchor point and click.

To extend an open path or connect two open paths:

  1. Using the pen tool, position the pointer over the endpoint of the open path you want to extend. A small slash appears next to the pointer  the pointer when it's precisely positioned over the endpoint.
  2. Click the endpoint.
  3. Do one of the following:
    • To create a corner point, position the pen tool where you want to end the new segment, and click. If you are extending a path that ends at a smooth point, the new segment will be curved by the existing direction line.
    • To create a smooth point, position the pen tool where you want to end the new curved segment, and drag.
    • To connect the path to another open path, click an endpoint on the other path. When you position the pen tool over the other path's endpoint, a small hollow point  the pen tool appears next to the pointer when it's precisely positioned.

To override automatic switching to the add- or delete-anchor-point tools:

    Hold down Shift as you position the pen tool over the selected path or an anchor point. This is useful when you want to start a new path on top of an existing path. To prevent Shift from constraining the pen tool, release Shift before you release the mouse button.

To turn off automatic adding or deleting of anchor points:

  1. Choose Edit > Preferences > General (Windows and Mac OS 9) or Illustrator > Preferences > General (Mac OS X).
  2. Under General Options, click Disable Auto Add/Delete to turn off the option. Then click OK.

To add anchor points using the Add Anchor Points command:

    With the selection tool  the selection tool , select the object and choose Object > Path > Add Anchor Points.

To convert between smooth points and corner points using the convert-anchor-point tool:

  1. Using the direct-selection tool, select the path you want to modify.
  2. TipTo switch to the convert-anchor-point tool while the pen tool is selected, hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS).

  3. Select the convert-anchor-point tool.
  4. Position the convert-anchor-point tool over the anchor point you want to convert, and do one of the following:
    • To convert a corner point to a smooth point, drag a direction point out of the corner point.
    Dragging direction point out of a corner point to create a smooth point
    Dragging direction point out of a corner point to create a smooth point
    • To convert a smooth point to a corner point without direction lines, click a smooth point.
    Clicking a smooth point to create a corner point
    Clicking a smooth point to create a corner point
    • To convert a corner point without direction lines to a corner point with independent direction lines, first drag a direction point out of a corner point (making it a smooth point with direction lines). Release the mouse button only (don't release any keys you may have pressed to activate the convert-anchor-point tool), and then drag either direction point.
    • To convert a smooth point to a corner point with independent direction lines, drag either direction point.
    Converting a smooth point to a corner point
    Converting a smooth point to a corner point

    TipTo temporarily switch from the convert-anchor-point tool to the last used selection tool, press Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS).