The Edit tool is used to modify previously created shapes and curves. It can be selected from the Canvas toolbox.
Workspace
The Edit tool provides access to the control points defining a curve. For details on how control points influence a curve's shape, please refer to Understanding Curves.
Select a curve shape to reveal its handles, which can be modified as described in Understand Curves.
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If the selected shape isn't revealing the desired curve handles, click Convert.
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If there isn't a control point at the desired location, click the desired location to add a temporary point, then click Add to add a new control point, or click Split to divide the curve.
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Alter control point behavior by switching it between Corner, Smooth, and Cusp modes. |
Select multiple control points simultaneously by either holding down shift while clicking them, or by dragging a selection marquee over them.
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Stroke Section
If the selection contains at least one open curve, this section will appear with a single slider that modifies the width of the stroke applied to the selected open curves.
Convert to Curves Section
This section appears in the Edit tool ribbon if the selection is a preset shape. You can gain finer control over the shape by clicking the Convert button.
Curve Section
Option |
Description |
Separate |
This button appears if the selected curve consists of disconnected parts. Clicking it separates the disconnected parts into different curve shapes. |
Merge |
This button appears if multiple curve shapes are selected. Clicking it merges the curves into a single shape. |
Control Point Section
This section appears when one or more control points are selected.
Option |
Description |
Add |
This button appears if you have created a temporary point by clicking an arbitrary point on the curve. Clicking this button converts the temporary point into a control point. |
Delete |
This button appears if one or more control points are selected. Clicking it removes the control point(s), which will usually result in a reduction of curve detail. |
Split |
This button appears if either a temporary point or a single control point is selected. Clicking the button cuts the curve at the selected point. |
Join |
This button appears if two end points are selected. Clicking it closes the gap between the selected points by merging them into a single control point. |
Corner |
This button appears if one or more control points are selected. Clicking it causes the curve to form sharp corners at the selected points, as shown in the following illustration. |
Smooth |
This button appears if one or more control points are selected, but no end points are selected. Clicking it causes the curve to move smoothly through the control points, as shown in the following illustration. |
Cusp |
This button appears if one or more control points are selected. Clicking it allows tangent points to be freely moved, as shown in the following illustration. |
Location sliders |
These controls appear if exactly one control point is selected. They provide numeric control over the point's location. |
Corner mode: Tangent points automatically point towards neighboring control points.
Smooth mode: Tangent points always point away from each other.
Cusp mode: Tangent points are free to move in any way.
Tangent Point Section
This section appears when exactly one control point is selected, and in addition one of the tangent points belonging to the control point is also selected.
Value |
Description |
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The two location sliders control the position of the tangent point. The position is expressed relative to the location of the control point that the tangent point belongs to. |
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The length slider controls the distance between the selected control point and tangent point. |
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This slider controls the angle of the selected tangent line. |
Shape Controls/Stroke Section
If a preset shape is selected, a Shape Controls section may appear in the ribbon as it does for the Shape tool.
If an open curve is selected, a Stroke section will appear in the ribbon as it does for the Draw tool. However, while the Draw tool doesn't allow multiple shapes to be selected simultaneously, the Edit tool does. This means that the Edit tool can be used to change the widths of multiple curves simultaneously. More on multiple selections is available here.