Mixing curves, corners, and straight segments as you draw
You can freely alter point types and direction lines as you draw a path. This is useful for interactively drawing straight and curved segments on a single path, or when you want to draw two curved segments that are connected by a corner point.
To draw a straight segment followed by a curved segment: - Using the pen tool
, click corner points in two locations to create a straight segment. - Position the pen tool over the selected endpoint. A convert-anchor-point icon
appears next to the pen tool when it is positioned correctly. Drag a direction point at an end of the direction line that appears, to set the slope of the curved segment you'll create next. Drawing a mixed segment (part 1) A. Straight segment completed B. Positioning pen tool over endpoint C. Beginning to drag D. Dragging direction point - Click or drag the third anchor point to complete the curve.
Drawing a mixed segment (part 2) A. Holding pen tool down B. Dragging direction point C. New curve segment completed
To draw a curved segment followed by a straight segment: - Using the pen tool, drag to create the first smooth point of the curved segment.
- Reposition the pen tool where you want the curved segment to end, drag to complete the curve, and release the mouse button.
Drawing a curved segment - Position the pen tool over the selected endpoint. A convert-anchor-point icon
appears next to the pen tool when it is positioned correctly. Click the anchor point to convert the smooth point to a corner point. Drawing a mixed segment (part 1) A. Positioning pen tool over existing endpoint B. Clicking endpoint C. Result after clicking - Click the next corner point to complete the straight segment.
Drawing a mixed segment (part 2)
To draw two curved segments connected by a corner: - Using the pen tool, drag to create the first smooth point of a curved segment.
- Reposition the pen tool, drag to create a curve with a second smooth point, and then press Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) as you drag the direction point to set the slope of the next curve. Then release the key and the mouse button. This converts the smooth point to a corner point by splitting the direction lines.
Drawing two curves A. Dragging a new smooth point B. Pressing Alt/Option to split direction lines while dragging, and swinging direction point up C. Result after releasing mouse button - Reposition the pen tool where you want the second curved segment to end, and drag a new smooth point to complete the second curved segment.
Dragging a new smooth point (left) to complete the second segment (right)
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