Operation Manual

Shaping objects | 165
• Move the Curve smoothness slider to control the number of nodes that are removed. Removing many nodes can reshape the curve
object.
To join the end nodes of a single subpath
1
In the toolbox, click the Shape tool .
2 Click a subpath.
3
Click the Close curve button on the property bar.
You can close multiple subpaths in an object by clicking Object Join curves and choosing settings in the Join curves docker. For
more information, see “Closing multiple line segments” on page 133.
To join the nodes of multiple subpaths
1
In the toolbox, click the Shape tool .
2 Hold down Shift, and click a node from each subpath.
3
Click the Extend curve to close button on the property bar.
If you want to join nodes from separate curve objects, you must first combine them into a single curve object, and then join the end
nodes of the new subpaths. For information about combining objects, see “Combining objects” on page 243.
To align nodes
1
In the toolbox, click the Shape tool .
2 Select a curve object.
3 Select the nodes that you want to align.
4
Click the Align nodes button on the property bar.
Using node types
You can change the nodes on a curve object to one of four types: cusp, smooth, symmetrical, or line. The control handles of each node type
behave differently.
Cusp nodes let you create sharp transitions, such as corners or sharp angles, in a curve object. You can move the control handles in a cusp
node independently of one another, changing only the line on one side of the node.
With smooth nodes, the lines passing through the node take on the shape of a curve, producing smooth transitions between line segments.
The control handles of a smooth node are always directly opposite one another, but they may be at different distances from the node.
Symmetrical nodes are similar to smooth nodes. They create a smooth transition between line segments, but they also let you give lines on
both sides of a node the same curve appearance. The control handles of symmetrical nodes are directly opposite each other and at an equal
distance from the node.
Line nodes let you shape curve objects by changing the shape of their segments. You can make a curved segment straight or a straight
segment curved. Making a straight segment curved does not noticeably change the segment’s appearance, but it displays control handles
that you can move to change the segment’s shape.