Understanding pen tool
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@vectoradmin Photos are not visible on Chrome
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"L" and "Y" and the C conversion work fine
I also use Firefox and Safari, that's why I assumed that everyone could see the picture.
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Another option is to use the option/alt key on the last point before you let go to complete the loop.
Then you only need to adjust the line a little after -
@Jayanta-Das In AD when you draw with the pen tool, after the second node how to you retract the control handle? (when the node changes from circle to square indicator).
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@vectoradmin It is same as VS, just click on the node.
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@Jayanta-Das Controls of handes while using pen in AD: Record
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Handles of Second node are controlled by Ctrl key
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Handle of Third node is controlled by Ctrl+Alt keys
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@Jayanta-Das, @vectoradmin
I have to admit, using ALT to "break the handles" to convert a newly drawn node to a cusp node is something I really miss coming from AI and AD. It's one of those great features that is so handy to have integrated in the pen tool and greatly speeds up one's workflow. -
@Victor-Vector @Jayanta-Das I have to admit in all my years using Illustrator I never used the option key for that - I was playing around with it some still trying to figure out how to best use it for cusp nodes.
Typically in Illustrator, I would click again on the node I wanted cusp and then continue onward.
For lack of a better explanation, I get the sense @vectoradmin has a purist mindset in terms of not limiting tools and options with a "quick and dirty" option that may be quick, but limits options. I see this with the node tools where I once advocated for the same quick options (Shift-C was added to VS like it is in Illustrator for example and that was enough for me) I notice it also with things like using the eyedropper to copy attributes
I think the answer is to have options for both quick and dirty and full options -
@Victor-Vector said in Understanding pen tool:
I have to admit, using ALT to "break the handles" to convert a newly drawn node to a cusp node is something I really miss coming from AI and AD. It's one of those great features that is so handy to have integrated in the pen tool and greatly speeds up one's workflow.
When not closing paths, the ALT key should work in the pen tool to create cusp nodes, in the current version.
The closing path bug will be fixed in the next build. -
@Victor-Vector said in Understanding pen tool:
I have to admit, using ALT to "break the handles" to convert a newly drawn node to a cusp node is something I really miss coming from AI and AD.
ALT key works in pen tool as in AD or AI.
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@Jayanta-Das said in Understanding pen tool:
ALT key works in pen tool as in AD or AI.
Only while you draw. If you want to quickly modify some single handle after closing the shape, you need to use the "L".
That's what I found a little bit complicated compared to AI or AD, but it works. -
Only while you draw. If you want to quickly modify some single handle after closing the shape, you need to use the "L".
That's what I found a little bit complicated compared to AI or AD, but it works.You are right. After the path closed, CTRL + ALT is usefull in controlling handles and modifying smooth node to cusp node.
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Maybe I am missing something, or maybe I have an unusual setting, but I cannot get ALT or CTRL to do any node handle adjustment operations while using the pen tool (closed path or open path), or using the Shape Editor.
I even removed the "setting.xml" and "workspace.xml" from the "User\Victor\NumericPath\VectorStyler1.0\vector\data\resources" folder to reset the app to the default settings and tried it again with no results. I am on a PC using Windows 11 like @Jayanta-Das.
Jay, perhaps you have a setting enabled to allow that?
If so, I'd be curious to know! -
@Victor-Vector Sorry. I was telling about the keys useful in AD and AI.
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@Jayanta-Das
Oh, haha, I get it now, thanks! -
@Jayanta-Das Closing the path with the Pen tool while also setting it to a Cusp node by holding ALT+ should work now.
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@vectoradmin Cusp node can be created by holding ATL but can't drag (node) to make the segment curb at the same time.
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@Jayanta-Das Yes, seems to snap to angle also, somehow did not do that in the development build.
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@vectoradmin One more thing, starting node's handle should be retracted if we do not drag while creating the first node.
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Just to clarify a few things. Retracted Bèzier handles can mean two things:
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the handle is retracted under its node but available (can be selected, with difficulty I might add).
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the handle is retracted under the node but invisible (cannot be selected).
If you don’t drag when creating the first and the second node, then I agree, both Bèzier handles of the first segment need to be retracted and invisible. As they currently are.
If just the 1st node is created without dragging and you drag when creating the 2nd node, the app does the right thing in making both handles of this first segment visible (not retracted) and selectable.
Any retracted but visible handle is bad practice — it means only one handle (the other) needs to be used to change the curvature of the segment. And it’s difficult to select and drag the retracted handle from under its node.
………………………
In conclusion:If the segment is straight, both Bèzier handles need to be retracted under their nodes and invisible (unselectable). They are.
If the segment is curved, both Bèzier handles need to be visible and selectable, not just one. They are.
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