Direct Selection tool modifier keys

The following table lists shortcuts that you can use to modify the shape of an existing path with the Direct Selection tool . To add or remove points on an existing path, or to join two existing paths, use the Pen tool.

To do this action	Do this	Pointer
Make tangent handles appear for a point on a path	Click a point on a path	Move point pointer
Move a point on a path	Drag a point on a path	Move point pointer
Make tangent handles appear for a segment between two points on a path	Click a segment of a path	Move segment pointer
Move a segment between two points on a path	Drag a segment of a path	Move segment pointer
Change the angle of a tangent for a point on a path	Click a point or a segment of a path to make the tangent handles appear, and then drag one of the tangent end points	Move tangent pointer
Make a point into a sharp corner or reduces the tangent to zero	Hover over a point, hold down ALT, and then click the point	Convert point pointer
Make any sharp corner smooth (or, if it's already smooth, change the angle of the curve as it passes through the clicked point)	Hover over a point, hold down ALT, and then drag the point	Convert point pointer
Change a curve segment into a straight line	Hover over a segment in a path, hold down ALT, and then click the segment	Convert segment pointer
Take a segment and bend it into a curve to pass through the pointer position	Hover over a segment in a path, hold down ALT, and then drag the segment	Convert segment pointer
Adjust one end of a tangent independently of the other side	Direct-select a point or a segment, hold down ALT, and then drag a tangent end point	Convert tangent pointer

See also

Concepts

Keyboard shortcuts and modifier keys

Artboard modifier keys

Pen tool modifier keys

Drawing shapes and paths