Pen tool - how to start new line on existing point without join?

[mda1@adobeforums.com]

Take a simple, open, two point line created with the pen tool. This line is deselected.
Now I want to draw another - separate - line that starts exactly on one of the end points of the first line.

How can I draw this new line without Illustrator 'joining' or continuing the first line?

The help system says 'hold down shift as you position the pen tool over the anchor point' - but this isn't working for me - I still get one 'joined' line.

What am I doing wrong? (Win 2k SP4, Illustrator CS)

Thanks,

Mike A

[James_Talmage@adobeforums.com]

Yes, isn't that infuriating as all get-out? There REALLY needs to be a preference to turn off that infernal auto/merge behavior. There's a pref for Disable Auto Add/Delete, but it doesn't affect the merge behavior. In my book, a Pen tool has absolutely NO BUSINESS affecting UNSELECTED objects unless it is explictly TOLD TO by pressing a modifier key. (I mean, what's the whole point of SELECTING objects if it's not to specify WHICH objects should be affected?!)

Criminy! It's like using a Microsoft product. I keep yelling "STOP HELPING ME!" (Okay. Have I expressed myself sufficiently on that?)

;-)

With the Pen, mousedown a little bit away from the endpoint of the pre-existing path. During mousedown, press the Spacebar. Now move the pen (mouse still down) onto the endpoint to which you want to align, but don't want to merge. If Snap To Points is on, it should snap. Pain in the neck, no?

JET

[Philo_Calhoun@adobeforums.com]

I'd lock the original path (or lock the layer and use the pen tool on a new layer).

[Jacob_Bugge@adobeforums.com]

Or, if you use specific coordinates, you may put the first point a little away and use transform.

[James_Talmage@adobeforums.com]

I'd lock the original path





Or...put the first point a little away and use transform




Uh huh. Just to be able to do one of the most commonly-needed things in any kind of drawing; have two or more lines with coincident endpoints?

No offense guys, but I am constantly aghast at AI users' (of which I'm one) willingness to defend the indefensible. ;-)

JET

[mda1@adobeforums.com]

Thanks guys, for all the suggestions. The space-bar and move option looks to be the best for what I want to do. I've got lots of simple but interlocking shapes to construct, so locking / unlocking, or transforming isn't workable. I'd never get the job finished ; )

I've got to agree with James though...

it seems crazy that a tool of Illustrators capability can't do this without a clunky work-around.

Is there a 'suggestion box' somewhere?

Thanks again,

Mike A.

[Poul_Solbjerg_Holst@adobeforums.com]

You could use the line tool instead of the path tool.

Poul Solbjerg

[Philo_Calhoun@adobeforums.com]

I don't think locking objects or layers is that clunky. With two overlapping paths each with an identically placed node/anchor point, it can be difficult to manipulate one without accidently manipulating the other. Locking one object is an easy solution and can be done with a keystroke.

[Unregistered]

my short cut is v then p