Modifying Segments


In Chapter 26, you learned that a path is made up of one or more segments, and every segment is defined by a pair of anchor points. If you want to modify a segment, you can do so by dragging either or both of its anchor points, dragging the direction handles (if present) of the anchor points, or converting either of the anchor points from smooth to corner or vice versa. For example, you could drag an anchor point on a curvy path to increase or decrease the severity of a particular bump, or you could convert a straight-edged polygon into a curvy shape by converting all its corner points to smooth points.

Moving anchor points

When you select a path with the Direct Selection tool, its anchor points are displayed as small, hollow squares. When you click and drag an anchor point, the two adjoining segments change, but the direction handles, if present, are not affected. If you hold down the Shift key as you drag an anchor point, movement is restricted to increments of 45 degrees. Figure 27-4 shows how moving an anchor point affects adjoining curved and straight segments.


Figure 27-4: Top row: The arc of the curve was reduced (right) by clicking and dragging the smooth anchor point at the top of the curve (left). Bottom row: Dragging a corner point changes the two adjoining segments.
Tip ‚  

If all you need to do is resize a path ‚ particularly a simple rectangle ‚ rather than change its shape, you should select it with the Selection tool rather than the Direct Selection tool, and then drag one of its bounding box handles.

Converting anchor points

If you want to change a wavy path that contains only curved segments to a zigzag path that contains only straight segments, you can do so by converting the smooth anchor points of the wavy path into corner points. Similarly, by converting corner points to smooth points, you can smooth out a path that contains straight segments. Figure 27-5 shows how straight and curved paths are affected by converting their anchor points.


Figure 27-5: Top row: The outer corner points of a straight-edged polygon path (left) were converted to smooth points to create the shape on the right. Bottom row: The zigzag path (right) was created by converting all the smooth points in the path on the left into corner points.

To converting an anchor point:

  1. Select the path by clicking on it with the Direct Selection tool.

  2. Choose the Convert Direction Point tool.

    You can also perform the functions of this tool by holding down Option+ z or Ctrl+Alt when the Direct Selection tool is selected.

  3. Move the pointer over the anchor point you want to convert.

    Depending on the point you want to convert, do one of the following:

    • To convert a corner point to a smooth point, click on the corner point, and then drag (direction lines are created and displayed as you drag).

    • To convert a smooth point to a corner point without direction lines, click and release the mouse on the smooth point.

    • To convert a smooth point to a corner point with independent direction lines, click and drag either of the smooth point's direction handles.

    • To convert a corner point without direction lines to a corner point with direction lines, click and drag the corner point to create a smooth point, then release the mouse button. Then click and drag either of the direction lines.

Tip ‚  

When using the Convert Direction Point tool, you can temporarily switch to the most recently used selection tool by pressing the z or Ctrl key.

QuarkXPress User ‚  

QuarkXPress uses a very different approach to changing direction points from smooth to corner: It has iconic buttons in its Measurement palette that let you easily convert segment and corner types. The InDesign approach is more efficient in that it uses one tool and relies on a mouse-based tool (since you're likely using the mouse when you edit a shape), but it does require a bit more getting used to initially.

Manipulating direction handles

In addition to dragging and converting anchor points, you can adjust the shape of a curved segment by dragging any of the direction lines associated with the anchor points at either end of the segment. Figure 27-6 shows how moving direction lines affects a curved segment.


Figure 27-6: The two shapes on the right were created by dragging a direction line of a smooth point.
Note ‚  

Remember, corner points between straight segments don't have direction handles. If you want to modify the segments associated with a corner point, simply click and drag the point.

To drag a curved segment's direction handle:

  1. Use the Direct Selection tool to select the path.

  2. Click on either of the two endpoints that define the curved segment.

    Handles are displayed at the ends of the two lines that make up the selected point's direction line (and the lines make up what appears to be a single, straight line). The direction lines of the two adjoining segments (if present) are also displayed.

  3. Click and drag any available handle.

    Hold down the Shift key as you drag to constrain movement to multiples of 45 degrees. As you drag, the handle at the opposite end of the direction line moves in the opposite direction like a teeter -totter. However, if you lengthen or shorten one side of a direction line, the other side is not affected.

  4. Release the mouse button when the shape is the way you want it.

    Note ‚  

    If you use the Convert Direction Point tool to click and drag a smooth point's direction-line handle, the opposite portion of the direction line remains unchanged. This lets you adjust the segment on one side of a smooth point without affecting the segment on the other side.




Adobe InDesign CS Bible
Adobe InDesign CS3 Bible
ISBN: 0470119381
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 344
Authors: Galen Gruman

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