Drawing curved segments

You create curves by using the pen tool to add anchor points where a curve changes direction, and to drag the direction points that shape the curves. To draw individual curve segments, see Drawing line and arc segments.

Curves are easier to edit and your system can display and print them faster if you draw them using as few anchor points as possible. Using too many points can also introduce unwanted bumps in a curve. Instead, draw widely spaced anchor points, and practice shaping curves by adjusting the length and angles of the direction lines.

To draw a curved segment:

1. Select the pen tool .
2. Position the pen tip where you want the curve to begin. Hold down the mouse button. The first anchor point appears, and the pen tip changes to an arrowhead .
3. Drag to set the slope of the curve segment you're creating. In general, extend the direction line about one third of the distance to the next anchor point you plan to draw. Shift-drag to constrain the direction line to multiples of 45 degrees.

Drawing the first point in a curve A. Positioning pen tool B. Starting to drag (mouse button pressed) C. Dragging to extend direction lines
4. Release the mouse button.

Note: The first segment will not be visible until you draw the second anchor point.

5. Position the pen tool where you want the curve segment to end, and then do one of the following:
• To create a "C"-shaped curve, drag in a direction opposite to the previous direction line.

Drawing the second point in a curve A. Starting to drag second smooth point B. Dragging away from previous direction line, creating a "C" curve C. Result after releasing mouse button
• To create an "S"-shaped curve, drag in the same direction as the previous direction line.

Drawing an S curve A. Starting to drag new smooth point B. Dragging in same direction as previous direction line, creating an "S" curve C. Result after releasing mouse button
6. Continue dragging the pen tool from different locations to create additional smooth points.
7. Complete the path by doing one of the following:
• To close the path, position the pen tool over the first (hollow) anchor point. A small loop appears next to the pen tip when it is positioned correctly. Click or drag to close the path.
• To leave the path open, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS) anywhere away from all objects, or choose Select > Deselect, or select a different tool in the toolbox.