User Guide

FontLab 4
262
Converting Primitives
Sometimes you may want to convert a curve to a vector or vice versa. To
convert a curve to a vector “delete” (right mouse button) one of the
control points of the curve, or “delete” the curve while you are in the non-
node editing mode.
To convert a vector (normal or closing) to a curve drag an inside
point of the vector while holding down the
ALT key.
To convert a curve to a 1/4 part of an ellipse (the curve’s control
vectors will be treated as an ellipse axis), press the
ALT key and click on the
curve.
You can also convert curves and vectors with the popup menu. Right-
click the end node of the segment and select the Convert command in the
popup menu. With this command a line segment is converted to a Bezier
curve, a Bezier curve to a TrueType curve and a TrueType curve to one or
more Bezier curves.
The last way to convert primitives is to use the selection menu:
1. SHIFT-click any point on the curve or line segment.
2. Right click the highlighted (red) segment. A popup menu appears.
3. Choose one of the commands in the Convert submenu: To curves (to
convert to a Bezier curve) or To lines (to convert to straight line
segments).