Redefine control handles for a point on a path

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To redefine the control handles for a point on a path

  1. In the Tools panel, click Direct Selection.

  2. Select the path containing the point (or vertex) that you wish to modify.

  3. While holding ALT, click on a node when the cursor looks like one of the following cursors, and then drag away from the node to redefine the control handles.

    Cursor What it does

    Cc294818.c59fbaad-fccc-43c3-b11f-a7411a55f00c(en-us,Expression.40).png

    Convert point cursor

    Makes any sharp corner smooth (if already smooth, changes the angle of the curve as it passes through the clicked point)

    Cc294818.ea075a83-a5bf-42ad-ad68-1e8b41136298(en-us,Expression.40).png

    Convert segment cursor

    Takes a segment and bends it into a curve to pass through the mouse position

    Cc294818.bf42cd9f-451f-4524-8755-afd2f29311d9(en-us,Expression.40).png

    Convert tangent cursor

    Adjust the selected tangent independently of the other side

    Alternatively, you can click a node or a segment of a path to make the tangent handles appear, and then click and drag one of the tangent endpoints when the cursor changes to the move tangent cursor Cc294818.716ef857-03a9-4225-b301-e23ab4a27efa(en-us,Expression.40).png.

    For more cursor descriptions, see Direct Selection tool modifier keys and Pen tool modifier keys.

See also

Tasks

Draw a free-form path
Draw a curve
Delete part of a path
Add or remove a point on a path
Change the shape of a curve

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