Macromedia FreeHand - Drawing complex paths with the Pen tool: Placing points with the Pen tool
05/12/2005 11:11 PM
Home > Products > FreeHand > Support > Working with Vectors
Placing points with the Pen tool When you place a point you define how the current path segment ends, but you also define how the next path segment begins. There are three types of points, and ten ways various points can join path segments. The sections Completing a curve and Completing a straight line help you decide which type of point to place and how to adjust its handles, based on what type of path segment you want to draw next. A curve point, which is displayed as a circle, joins curved path segments with a smooth junction. A curve point's handles move in tandem to ensure a smooth junction.
A corner point, which is displayed as a square, joins path segments at angled junctions. A corner point's handles can be adjusted independently to create three types of junctions: When both handles are extended, a corner point joins two curves.
When a single handle is extended, a corner point joins two curves or joins a curve to a straight line.
When neither handle is extended, a corner point joins any two path segments.
A connector point, which is displayed as a triangle, forms a smooth junction between a straight path segment and a curved one.
To draw a path with the Pen tool: 1
Choose a curve or straight line for the first path segment, then place the first point. Placing the first point describes what type of point is appropriate for straight lines or curves.
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Macromedia FreeHand - Drawing complex paths with the Pen tool: Placing points with the Pen tool
2
Place the next point to complete the curve or straight line. Completing a curve and Completing a straight line describe what type of points are appropriate for various path segments. The point you place to complete the current segment also starts the next segment.
3
Repeat step 2 as necessary to draw any remaining segments of the path.
4
Click the starting point of the path to make a closed path, or double-click the last point to end as an open path.
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The following sections describe the various ways the Pen tool can be used to start and complete path segments.
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Macromedia FreeHand - Drawing complex paths with the Pen tool: Placing the first point
05/12/2005 11:11 PM
Home > Products > FreeHand > Support > Working with Vectors
Placing the first point The first point you place helps determine whether the first segment is a straight line or a curve. Decide which you want to draw, then place the appropriate type of point to start the path segment. To
Do This
Start a straight line by placing a corner point
Click with the Pen tool anywhere on the canvas.
Start a curve by placing a corner point with handles
Alt-drag (Windows) or Option-drag (Macintosh) to extend a handle as you place the point. This handle affects the next path segment. Control-drag (Windows) or Command-drag (Macintosh) to move the curve point to a new location.
Start a curve by placing a curve point
Drag with the Pen tool. Curve point handles extend automatically. Since the Pen tool anchors points in place, use the point handles to adjust path shape. Control-drag (Windows) or Command-drag (Macintosh) to move the curve point to a new location.
Start a curve by placing a connector point
Alt-right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Macintosh). Dragging as you place a connector point extends a handle. This handle affects the next path segment.
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Macromedia FreeHand - Drawing complex paths with the Pen tool: Placing the first point
05/12/2005 11:11 PM
Note: If any points on a path are selected, the FreeHand 10 Pen tool appends new segments to that path by default. Shift-click to start a new path, or deselect any selected paths and follow the steps above. The FreeHand 9 Pen tool starts a new path by default.
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Macromedia FreeHand - Drawing complex paths with the Pen tool: Completing a curve
05/12/2005 11:11 PM
Home > Products > FreeHand > Support > Working with Vectors
Completing a curve If you have placed a point to start a curve, decide what type of point you want to use to end the curve. Choose a corner point if you want an angled junction to a new curve, or choose a curve point if you want a smooth junction. To end with a
Do this to start a new curve
Corner point (FreeHand sets the junction angle)
Click to place a corner point.
Corner point with handles (you set the junction angle)
Drag to place a curve point and extend its handles in the direction you want the curve to end, then Alt-drag (Windows) or Option-drag (Macintosh) the handle to set the start direction of the next path segment.
Curve point (the junction is smooth)
Drag to place a curve point and extend its handles in the direction you want the next curve to start.
Note: A connector point joins a curve to a straight segment, not a curve to a curve. Use a curve point instead. If you have placed a point to start a curve, decide what type of point you want to use to end the curve. Choose a corner point if you want an angled junction to a new straight line, or choose a connector point if you want a smooth junction. To end with a
Do this to start a new straight line
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Macromedia FreeHand - Drawing complex paths with the Pen tool: Completing a curve
Corner point (FreeHand sets the junction angle)
Click to place a corner point.
Corner point with handles (you set the junction angle)
Drag to place a curve point and extend its handles in the direction you want the curve to end, then click the point again to retract the outgoing handle.
Connector point (the junction is smooth)
Alt-right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Macintosh) to place a connector point.
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When you place a straight line following a connector point, the previous curve may change shape to match the angle of the new straight line.
Note: A curve point joins a curve to another curve, not a curve to a line. Use a connector point instead.
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Macromedia FreeHand - Drawing complex paths with the Pen tool: Completing a straight line
05/12/2005 11:12 PM
Home > Products > FreeHand > Support > Working with Vectors
Completing a straight line If you have placed a point to start a straight line, decide what type of point you want to use to end the line. Choose a corner point if you want an angled junction to a new curve, or choose a connector point if you want a smooth junction. To end with a
Do this to start a new curve
Corner point (FreeHand sets the junction angle)
Click to place a corner point.
Corner point with handle (you set the junction angle)
Click to place a corner point. Drag an outgoing handle from the new point in the direction you want the next path segment to begin.
Connector point (the junction is smooth)
Alt-right-drag (Windows) or Control-drag (Macintosh) to place a connector point and extend its handle.
Note: A curve point joins a curve to another curve, not a straight line to a curve. Use a connector point instead. If you have placed a point to start a straight line, place a corner point to end the straight line you are drawing, which also starts a new straight line. To end with a
Do this to start a new straight line
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Macromedia FreeHand - Drawing complex paths with the Pen tool: Completing a straight line
Corner point (the location of the point on the canvas sets the junction angle)
05/12/2005 11:12 PM
Click to place a corner point.
Note: Curve points, connector points, and corner points with handles do not join straight line segments. Use a corner point instead.
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