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Adjusting straight and curved segments


    You can modify the shape of a path by moving any of its anchor points or by moving the direction points of direction lines attached to a curve segment. Editing existing segments is slightly different from drawing them. Keep the following guidelines in mind as you adjust existing segments:

    • If an anchor point connects two segments, moving that anchor point always changes both segments.
    • When drawing with the pen tool, you can temporarily activate the last used selection tool by holding down Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS) so that you can adjust segments you've already drawn.
    • When you draw a smooth point with the pen tool, dragging the direction point changes the length of the direction line on both sides of the point. However, when you edit an existing smooth point with the direct-selection tool, you change the length of the direction line only on the side you're dragging.

To adjust a straight segment:

    With the direct-selection tool  the direct-selection tool , drag the anchor point on either end of a segment. Shift-drag to constrain the adjustment to multiples of 45 degrees.

    TipIf you're simply trying to make a rectangle wider or narrower, it's easier to select it with the selection tool and resize it using one of the handles on the sides of its bounding box.

To adjust a curved segment:

  1. Using the direct-selection tool  the direct-selection tool , select the anchor point on either end of a curved segment. Direction lines appear on the anchor point and on the adjacent anchor points, if present (some curved segments use just one direction line).
  2. Do one of the following:
    • Drag the anchor point. Shift-drag to constrain movement to multiples of 45 degrees.
    • Drag a direction point. If you're adjusting a smooth point's direction lines, both direction lines revolve around the anchor point. Shift-drag to constrain the direction line angle to multiples of 45 degrees.

    TipTo split the direction lines of a smooth point, use the convert-anchor-point tool to drag them.