Retracting and Extending Bezier Handles

[Erica_Brade@adobeforums.com]

For some reason, I have never figured out how to drag out or retract a handle from a bezier point (pen tool). Click the point with the direct selection tool (white arrow) and then....? I can't believe I don't know how to do this but my boss took all the manuals home & I can't find it on the internet (cause it's obviously too easy to even discuss) ;)

Thanks.

[AGraphics@adobeforums.com]

You can't learn until you ask a question... Or something like that. ^-^

Click and hold on the pen tool in the toolbox... When the 'subpalette' appears (the pen, add anchor point, delete anchor point and convert anchor point tools will appear), select the one at the right end (convert anchor tool). Simply click and drag the point you wish to convert, and voila!

Hope that helps.

AG

[Ray Craighead]

AGraphics is correct, but you really should use the keyboard shortcuts (BTW try checking the online help – hopefully your boss left those on your HD).

To use the pen tool efficiently you should:
1. Select the "Direct-select" tool by typing "a". That allows you to move anchor points or directions points even while drawing a path.
2. You can access the "Convert Anchor Point" tool by holding the "Option" key while the pen tool is active. This makes converting a smooth anchor point to a corner point one fluid step. You don't even need to let up on the mouse, just click to set the anchor point, drag to set the direction point, then with the mouse still down, hold "option" and re-position the direction point.
3. One more useful keyboard shortcut is the ability to move the active anchor point and direction lines, in relative position, by holding down the Spacebar and dragging.

Give these a try. I think gain a new appreciation for the Pen tool.

[jonf@adobeforums.com]

Since you say "drag out or retract" I'm guessing you have an even more basic question.

When you've selected the anchor point of a curve, you should see two lines extending out from the anchor point, each with another point at the end. You need to select each of those points by placing the point of your cursor arrow directly over the handle point, click and hold, then drag it in or out.

[Erica_Brade@adobeforums.com]

Ray, thanks - that's what I was looking for. In Freehand, you can just click on the point with the direct-select (A) tool, and drag the handles out manually. Option-Pen works just the same and uses key commands too (which I need because I draw very fast, and heading over to the palette in the middle of a curve would be super disruptive haha). It's just 1 of those things I never picked up when I switched to Illustrator and worked around in great frustration until I decided it was time to ask!

:)