2 Replies Latest reply: Jun 23, 2010 3:47 PM by Big Jimm RSS

    ID CS5 - Trouble with anchor points and handles

    Big Jimm Community Member

      It’s my understanding that to correctly add an anchor point: I draw a line, click on the direct selection tool to activate the line, click on the add anchor point tool, then click on a spot on the line to add a little white square. (Only the white square is a moveable point, right?)

       

      Usually this works fine for the first white square. But, after the first one, it often won’t add any more white squares. Sometimes it adds “round dots” instead, which I don’t know what they are, because they don’t move.

       

      To add to my confusion, some of the points have handles which are great for rounding, etc. But, often, I can’t find the dot, or square, that makes these helpful handles appear. I just keep clicking around till I get something I can use to pop up.

       

      Also, as usual, this must be pretty elementary. But, it bugs the heck out of me when I’m trying to adjust a box shape, etc, and can’t get the right handles and anchor points to “activate.” Would you please give me the simple, correct steps for problem?

       

      Thank you.

       

      Jim

        • 1. Re: ID CS5 - Trouble with anchor points and handles
          P Spier CommunityMVP

          Hi Jim,

           

          You've got me stumped here. I can't figure out what those round dots that don't move might be. Time for another screen shot...

           

          I'm also not able to reproduce the part about not adding more white squares, unless we're talking about adding points along a curved path segment. When I do that each of the new points remains selected, so oyou can create a series of filled squares (maybe those are your dots) and they will continue to move as a group until you deselect.

           

          When you add a point on a curve it will automatically get control handles bucause it is a curve node, but adding a point on a straight segment will create a corner node unless you click and drage the mouse while you add the point (this is basic pen tool operation).

           

          If you use teh direct select tool and click on a point, any contol handles it has will show. Click on a path segment and you'll see the two handles (if any) that are attached to the points on the end of the segment (one per point, not both halves) that are controlling the shape of the segment. If a point doesn't have handles, you can use the Convert Point tool to click on it and drag out a set.

           

          By the way, the Add Point and Delete Point tools will pop up automatically if you are using the regular Pen tool with a path selected. The Add Point tool pops up when you are over a path segment, and the Delete Point tool pops up if you hver over a point that is not the end of the segment. Press Ctrl (Cmd) to get the Direct Select tool, and Alt (Opt) to get the Convert Point tool. This is a time-saver once you are used to the Pen tool, but it does have the downside that you can easily create new path points that have nothing to do with the object you thought you were editing.

          • 2. Re: ID CS5 - Trouble with anchor points and handles
            Big Jimm Community Member

            Thank you Peter. You’ve got me straightened out now.  After reading your thoughts, I realized that my main problem was with rectangles (straight lines). Not much trouble with adding and adjusting points on round lines.

             

            But, when you introduced me to the “convert direction point tool” that fixed me. Never had used that before.

             

            Everything’s ok now. Thanks so much.

             

            Jim