Page 42 - CC2017_ID_Look_Inside

CreAte bézier CurVes
In this exercise you will make very simple manipulations to the straight line you just
created. We also encourage you to practice as much as possible using the Pen tool until
you are more proficient; for example, try copying the outlines of various shapes in
photographs.
1. With crowe.indd open, make sure the line at the top of the page is selected.

2. Choose the Convert Direction Point tool nested under the Pen tool.
The Convert Direction Point tool changes a corner point to a
smooth point. Smooth points have handles that control the size
and shape of curves connected to that point. You can use the Note:
Direct Selection tool to drag handles for a selected anchor point.
Using the Convert
3. Click the second point on the line, press Shift, and drag right until the ruler Direction Point tool,
shows that the cursor is at 4.125″. you can click an existing
When you click a point with the Convert Direction Point tool and immediately drag, point and drag to add
you add direction handles to the point. Those direction handles define the shape of the handles to the point,
line segments that are connected to the point. As you drag farther away from the point, converting the point to a
the affected segment’s curve increases. smooth point.
Pressing Shift constrains the new direction handles to 45° angles — in this case, exactly
horizontal. If you look closely, you can see that the direction handle on the left side of Note:
the point is exactly on top of the line. If you add points to a
By default, clicking and dragging creates a smooth, symmetrical point in which equal- curved line segment, the
length handles are added to each side of the point directly opposite each other. As long new points automatically
as a point is symmetrical, changing the angle of one handle also affects the handle on the adopt the necessary
other side of the point. direction handles to
maintain the original
Click the point and drag The connected line bends in the curve shapes.
right to add handles. direction in which you pull the handle.

4. Click the third point, press Shift, and drag right until the ruler shows that
the cursor is at 4.875″. Note:
As we just explained, the affected curve gets larger as you drag farther away from the The lines that connect
point. Because you’re dragging exactly horizontally, the horizontal segment on the right anchor points based on
is not curving. the angle and length of

On the left side of the point, however, you can see the effect of converting Point 3 to the control handles are
a symmetrical point. Dragging to the right side of the point adds direction handles on called Bézier curves.
both sides of the point; the length and position of the left handle defines the shape of the
curve on the left side of the point — which is the one you want to affect in this step. Note:

When you drag direction
handles, the blue lines
preview the effects of your
changes.

52 Project 1: Letterhead Design