path questions...

[dub713@adobeforums.com]

am having some issues with modifying paths, and i'm curious what i'm missing.

so, here's the deal... i will create a set of circles, with the circle tool, and want to stretch out the edges to connect them all, sort of like 2d orbs, or liquid blobs connected. when i do that, and merge them so i have one continuous path, i need to delete/remove some of those points because they are causing sharp corners in places, and i need it to all be smooth, and rounded. when i try to remove those points though, it won't let me, and gives me the erroe that i need to use the delete anchor point tool on an anchor point. so, when i create circles, or rectangles, what do i need to do to get rid of the original anchor points, and have ones that are removable, like when i create a custom path. what is the deal with the preset paths, from the circle rectangle tools? how do i convert those to a normal path that i will stop getting errors on.

thanks,
j

[Rick E Koelsch]

j,

After you have merged the shapes, select all the shapes with the selection
tool and then go to the object menu item and select "expand appearance".
Use the direct selection tool, to select the stroke and you will see all the
points you can modify. On the sharp points, use the "convert anchor point"
tool to pull handles on the sharp points - to create curves, then use the
direct selection tool again to modify the handles and make the shape to your
liking

regards, Rick
<dub713@adobeforums.com> wrote in message
news:3bb4d32e.-1@webx.la2eafNXanI...

> am having some issues with modifying paths, and i'm curious what i'm

missing.

>
> so, here's the deal... i will create a set of circles, with the circle

tool, and want to stretch out the edges to connect them all, sort of like 2d
orbs, or liquid blobs connected. when i do that, and merge them so i have
one continuous path, i need to delete/remove some of those points because
they are causing sharp corners in places, and i need it to all be smooth,
and rounded. when i try to remove those points though, it won't let me, and
gives me the erroe that i need to use the delete anchor point tool on an
anchor point. so, when i create circles, or rectangles, what do i need to do
to get rid of the original anchor points, and have ones that are removable,
like when i create a custom path. what is the deal with the preset paths,
from the circle rectangle tools? how do i convert those to a normal path
that i will stop getting errors on.

>
> thanks,
> j

[dub713@adobeforums.com]

Nevermind... OMG. i pulled a dumb one. completely forgot that i had set snap to grid on... so, i was clicking everywhere on the path, when it wasn't on a grid point, and nothing was happening. finally, i got lucky and happened to click on a grid intersection, and then it clicked.

j

[Eddie_Ostrowski@adobeforums.com]

After reading your technique to create "rounded blobs", I'm hoping you might be receptive to a faster method (if this is what you're looking for) 1. Draw overlapping circles/ellipses 2. Pathfinder > Merge 3. Filter > Stylize > Round Corners. Eddie