Paths

What are Paths? Paths are made of curves, lines and points. A path has four basic components.

• Anchor points. Tell curves where to begin and end.
• Adjustment handles. Join anchor points and adjustment points as a visual reference.
• Adjustment points. Click these to make changes to the shape of the curve.
• Curve. The shape that is being drawn.

Drawing a straight line

Select Pen Tool from the tool palette. Click anywhere on the canvas. Click at another spot and a straight line appears between the two clicks.

 

Drawing an S Curve

Select the pen tool. Click and drag down with the Pen tool. Dragging defines the direction of the curve. Click and drag up for the second point. The first curve begins to form into the shape of U. Click and drag down for the third point and notice an S shape.

 

Activity 1: Keep practicing drawing curves with the Pen tool until you become comfortable. Draw a W curve.

Convert a Curve to a Straight line

Begin with either an S curve or W curve that you have created. Choose the Convert point tool.

 

Click the first point to change it to a straight line.

 

Click the second point and the curve will become a straight line.

 

Activity 2: Convert a straight line into a curve.

Using the freeform pen tool, select the tool and begin to draw. The anchor points are created automatically and you do not have any control over it.

 

To delete an anchor point choose delete anchor point tool or just hover the Pen tool over an existing anchor point. You will see a minus sign.

 

Click to delete the anchor point.

To add an anchor point select the Add anchor point or just hover the pen tool anywhere over part of a curve that does not have an anchor point. A plus sign appears. Click to add the new anchor point.

Create a closed path The closed path has the same start and end points. To create a closed path move the mouse over the start point. A little circle will appear which lets you know that you are at the start point and if you click you will close the path.