Drawing > Using the Pen tool > Adjusting segments

Adjusting segments

You can adjust straight segments to change the angle or length of the segment, or adjust curved segments to change the slope or direction of the curve.

When you move a tangent handle on a curve point, the curves on both sides of the point adjust. When you move a tangent handle on a corner point, only the curve on the same side of the point as the tangent handle adjusts.

To adjust a straight segment:

1 Select the Subselection tool, and select a straight segment.
2 Use the Subselection tool to drag an anchor point on the segment to a new position.

To adjust a curve segment:

Select the Subselection tool and drag the segment.

Note: Anchor points are hidden when you click the path with the Subselection tool. To view the anchor points after adjustment, click the path with the Subselection tool or the Pen tool. Also, adjusting a segment with the Subselection tool may add points to the path.

To adjust points or tangent handles on a curve:

1 Select the Subselection tool, and select a curved segment. Tangent handles appear for that segment.
2 Do one of the following:
To adjust the location of the curve's anchor point, drag the anchor point.
To adjust the shape of the curve on either side of the anchor point, drag the anchor point, or drag the tangent handle. Shift-drag to constrain the tool to multiples of 45° .