Drawing Curves
The Curve icon on the Drawing toolbar opens a toolbar to draw BĂ©zier curves. BĂ©zier curves are defined by a start point and an end point, which are called "anchors". The curvature of the BĂ©zier curve is defined by control points ("handles"). Moving a control point changes the shape of the BĂ©zier curve.
Control points are only visible in "Edit Points" mode. Control points are represented by circles, anchor points are represented by squares. The start point is a little bit larger than the other anchor points.
BĂ©zier curve segments and straight line segments can be joined to form more complex BĂ©zier curves. Three different transitions can be applied to join adjacent segments:
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A \<emph\>symmetrical\</emph\> anchor point has the same line curvature on either side, and two control lines that move together as a straight line.
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A \<emph\>smooth\</emph\> anchor point may have different line curvatures on either side.
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A \<emph\>corner\</emph\> anchor point has one or two independent control lines. Changing one side has no effect on the other side.
How to use the Curve tool
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On the Drawing toolbar, open the Curves toolbar and select the Curve tool.
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Click where you want the curve to start, and drag in the direction where you want the curve to go. The control line will indicate the direction.
Hold down \<item type=\"keycode\"\>Shift\</item\> while you drag to restrict the direction to a 45 degree grid.
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Release the mouse where the first control point should be.
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Move the pointer to where you want the curve segment to end. The curve follows the pointer.
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Do one of the following:
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Double-click on the position of the end point to finish drawing the line.
To create a closed shape, double-click the starting point of the line.
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Click and release the mouse button to add an anchor point. Move the mouse to draw the next segment.
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Click and drag in any direction to add a smooth anchor point.
How to use the Freeform Line tool
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On the Drawing toolbar, open the Curves toolbar and select the Freeform Line tool.
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Click where you want the curve to start, and keep holding the mouse button down.
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Draw the freeform line as you would do with a pencil.
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Release the mouse button to finish the line.