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Table Of Contents
1000 Chapter 12 Using Shapes and Masks
B-Splines can also be used to draw shapes, but unlike Bezier controls, B-Splines are
manipulated using only points—there are no tangent handles. Furthermore, the points
themselves do not lie on the surface of the shape. Instead, each B-Spline control point
is offset from the shapes surface, pulling that section of the shape toward itself as if it
was a magnet, in order to create a curve. By combining the influence of multiple B-
Spline points, you can create different curves. B-Splines are extremely smooth—by
default, there are no sharp angles in B-Spline shapes, although you can create sharper
curves, if necessary.
Because B-Spline controls are so simple, they’re easy to animate and manipulate. The
tools you use for a particular task are largely a matter of personal preference.
Note: Shapes drawn with Bezier and B-Spline tools can be converted into paint strokes
by selecting the shape’s Outline checkbox and choosing a different brush type in the
Inspector. For more information, see “Creating Paint Strokes on page 1012.
Drawing Masks and Shapes Using Bezier Splines
This section describes how to draw a Bezier shape from scratch. These methods are
identical whether you use the shape or masking tools. This section focuses on drawing
shapes. For more information on drawing masks, see “Masking Layers to Create
Transparency on page 1087.
To draw a Bezier shape:
1 Click the Bezier tool in the Toolbar (or press B).
Note: The Bezier Mask tool is located in the Mask tools section of the Toolbar.
B-Spline control point
Bezier tool
Bezier Mask tool