Page 45 - CS6_ID_Look_Inside

Understanding Anchor Points and Handles

An anchor point marks the end of a line segment, and the point handles determine the shape of that segment. That’s the
INDESIGN FOUNDATIONS tool, or you can edit the curves that are created as part of another shape (such as a circle). Point B
basic definition of a vector, but there is a bit more to it than that. You can draw Bézier shapes from scratch using the Pen

Each segment in a path has two anchor points and
two associated handles. We first clicked to create
Point A
Point A and dragged (without releasing the mouse
Handle B1
button) to create Handle A1. We then clicked and
Handle A1
dragged to create Point B and Handle B1; Handle
Handle B2
B2 was automatically created as a reflection of B1
(Point B is a symmetrical point).
This image shows the result of dragging Handle B1 Segment A
Point A
to the left instead of to the right when creating the
initial curve. Notice the difference in the curve here, Handle A1 Handle B2
compared to the curve above. When you drag the
handle, the connecting segment arcs away from the Segment A Point B
direction of the handle you drag.
Handle B1

It’s important to understand that every line
segment is connected to two handles. In this Handle B2
example, Handle A1 and Handle B2 determine Handle A1
the shape of Segment A. Dragging either handle Point B
affects the shape of the connected segment. Segment A
Handle B1

Clicking and dragging a point creates a symmetrical
(smooth) point; both handles start out at equal
length, directly opposite one another. Changing the
angle of one handle of a symmetrical point also Point A Handle B2
changes the opposing handle of that point. In the
example here, repositioning Handle B1 also moves Handle A1 Point B
Handle B2, which affects the shape of Segment A.
(You can, however, change the length of one handle Segment A Handle B1
without affecting the length of the other handle.)

You can create corner points by simply clicking
with the Pen tool instead of clicking and dragging. Handle of other connected point
Corner points do not have their own handles; the controls the segment shape.
connected segments are controlled by the handles
of the other associated points. Corner point has no handles.

You can convert a smooth point into a corner point Option/Alt-click this point with
by clicking the point with the Convert Direction the Convert Direction Point tool
Point tool [ ] (nested under the Pen tool). You and drag to create only one handle.
can also add a handle to only one side of an
anchor point by Option/Alt-clicking a point with the This handle controls the
Convert Direction Point tool and dragging. connected segment; the handle
is not reflected on the other
side of the point.

Project 1: Letterhead Design 55