Working with the BSpline Tool

Now that you've had a chance to use the Bezier tool, let's move on to the BSpline tool. The BSpline and Bezier tools are very similar in the initial stages of creating a shape. The first step is to select the tool and set the points in the shape that you want to create. The difference becomes apparent after you finish setting the last point. There are two ways to select the BSpline tool:

• Press B (this toggles between the Bezier and BSpline tools).
  
  
• Select the BSpline tool on the toolbar.
  
  

In this exercise, you'll use the BSpline tool to create a shape similar to the image in the lower left of the frame.

1.	Press B to toggle from the Bezier tool to the BSpline tool. The BSpline tool looks like the Bezier (pen) tool with the addition of an arcing curve.
2.	Starting at the top of the yellow petal image, click the BSpline tool on the outer edge of the image. Move clockwise and continue setting control points until you arrive back at the first point. Then click the first control point to close the shape.

Modifying the BSpline Vertices

To modify the BSpline vertices, you simply drag the control points. The curved shape within the boundaries of the control points is attracted to the boundary lines, so wherever you drag the control points, the curvature of the shape will follow. To add a new point, you can Ctrl-click the lines between points and select Add Point from the contextual menu.

1.	Experiment with the different BSpline control points to manipulate the shape.
2.	Press Cmd-S to save your progress.

NOTE

You can also modify the BSpline vertex by selecting the point, holding down the Command key, and dragging. This will flatten the arc.