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 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 to create a direction line and to set the slope of the curved segment you'll create next. Then release the mouse button.
Drawing a straight segment followed by a mixed segment (part 1) A. Straight segment completed B. Positioning Pen tool over endpoint C. Dragging direction point - Reposition the Pen tool where you want the curved segment to end, drag to complete the curve, and release the mouse button.
Drawing a straight segment followed by a mixed segment (part 2) D. Repositioning the Pen tool E. Dragging direction point F. 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, and release the mouse button.
- 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 followed by a straight segment (part 1) A. First smooth point of curved segment completed and Pen tool positioned over endpoint B. Dragging to complete the curve - 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. - Reposition the Pen tool where you want the straight segment to end and click to complete the straight segment.
Drawing a curved segment followed by a straight segment (part 2) C. Positioning Pen tool over existing endpoint D. Clicking endpoint E. Clicking next corner point
To draw two curved segments connected by a corner: - Using the Pen tool, drag to create the first smooth point of a curved segment, and release the mouse button.
- Reposition the Pen tool, drag to create a curve with a second smooth point, and release the mouse button.
- Press Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) and drag the direction point where the Pen tool was 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 to complete the second curved segment.
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