- Introduction
- Changing Drawing Settings
- Drawing with the Line Tool
- Drawing with the Pencil Tool
- Drawing Shapes with the Rectangle and Oval Tools
- Using the Polystar Tool
- Selecting Strokes with the Arrow Tool
- Selecting Strokes and Fills with the Arrow Tool
- Making Selections with the Lasso Tool
- Zooming In and Out with the Magnifying Glass
- Moving Around with the Hand Tool
- Displaying Rulers
- Using Grids and Guides
- Modifying Grid and Guide Settings
- Using Snap Align
- Changing Stroke and Fill Colors
- Creating Custom Colors
- Editing Strokes with the Ink Bottle
- Editing Fills with the Paint Bucket
- Editing Strokes and Fills with the Eyedropper
- Creating Gradients
- Using the Fill Lock
- Using Paint Brush Modes
- Drawing with the Pen Tool
- Drawing Curves with the Pen Tool
- Modifying Shapes with the Arrow Tool
- Modifying Shapes with the Sub-Selection Tool
- Using the Free Transform Tool
- Using Transform Options for Shapes
- Cutting and Pasting Graphics Between Layers
- Working with Graphics on Different Layers
- Distributing Graphics to Layers
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Modifying Shapes with the Sub-Selection Tool
Vector shapes are made up of anchor points connected by line segments. There are two types of anchor points: corner points and curve points. Corner points connect two line segments in a sharp angle such as the corner of a square. Curve points define a curve or positions along a straight line and can be modified with Bézier handles. These handles extend out from the curve point and allow for very precise modification of the shape of the curve. The Sub-Selection tool works hand-in-hand with the Pen tool to create and modify shapes and lines in this way.
Use the Sub-Selection Tool to Modify a Shape
Create a simple oval shape using the Oval tool.
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Figure
3.71Click the Sub-Selection tool in the Toolbar.
The pointer becomes an empty (or white) arrow.
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Figure
3.72Click on the edge of the shape to reveal the anchor points, and then click on an anchor point to select it or drag a selection rectangle to select multiple anchor points.
The anchor points are the little white squares around the edge of the shape. When selected, Bézier handles appear on either side of the anchor point.
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Figure
3.73Grab one of the handles or the anchor points themselves and drag it, and then release the mouse.
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Figure
3.74Did You Know?
You can also use the arrow keys on the keyboard to move selected anchor points. Select one or more anchor points with the Sub-Selection tool, and then press the arrow keys to move the anchor point and its connected lines in the direction of the key you press.
Convert Corner Points to Curve Points
Create a simple rectangle shape using the Rectangle tool.
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Figure
3.75Click the Sub-Selection tool in the Toolbar.
The pointer becomes an empty (or white) arrow.
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Figure
3.76Click on the edge of the shape to select it and then click on one of the corner points to select it.
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Figure
3.77Press Option+drag (Mac) or Alt+drag (Win) the point to convert it to a curve point and create Bézier handles.
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Figure
3.78Convert Curve Points to Corner Points
Create a simple oval shape using the Oval tool.
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Figure
3.79Click the Pen tool in the Toolbar.
The pointer becomes a small pen.
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Figure
3.80Click on the edge of the shape to reveal the anchor points.
Position the pointer over one of the curve points.
A small corner icon appears.
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Figure
3.81Click on the point to convert it to a corner point.
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Figure
3.82