Editing Object Paths

Most vector objects in Canvas X Draw are paths. Whether you draw with Path tools (Curve, Freehand, Polygon, Smooth Polygon, Auto Curve) or other shape tools (Rectangle, Oval, Line, Arc), you create paths, and you can use the same path-editing techniques to modify them.

Of course, you can also change a path object by using handles on the bounding box when the object is selected. (See To Resize an Object’s Bounding Box:.)

Canvas X Draw has two display modes you can use when you edit paths. You can display the fill inks, pen inks, and stroke on paths, or you can hide the attributes while you work in Path Edit mode.

To Display Attributes on Paths:

Be sure that Path | Live Curve Editing is selected.

To Hide Attributes in Path Edit Mode:

Select Path | Live Curve Editing again.

You can change the path-editing display at any time. To use the Live Curve Editing command, objects do not have to be selected or be in Path Edit mode.

Editing Paths with the Reshape Tool

The Reshape tool provides an easy-to-use, interactive way to edit paths. Using the tool is as simple as dragging the mouse. The tool will reshape the parts of a path that you drag over.

To Use the Reshape Tool:

1. Select an object to edit. To use the Reshape tool, one vector object can be selected or be in Path Edit mode.
2. Select the Reshape tool. 
3. Move the pointer close to the path and a reshape symbol (~) will appear at the pointer. The symbol indicates that you can drag to reshape the path.
4. Drag to draw a new segment in the shape you want. When you release the mouse, Canvas X Draw applies the segment you drew to the path.

After you use the Reshape tool, the object remains selected or in Edit mode. Continue to use the Reshape tool to modify the path.

Reshape Techniques

When you drag the Reshape tool, the direction that you drag affects the way the tool modifies the path.

If you drag in one direction and finish on the path, the tool will reshape the path to match the line that you draw.

If you finish dragging away from the path, the Reshape tool can create a new segment that opens a closed path. If you drag the tool on an open path, you can draw a new segment that closes the path. You can also drag the tool so it reshapes part of a path and removes the rest.

Dragging in one direction reshapes the circle	Changing direction adds a segment and opens the path

In general, if you drag in one direction along a path, the tool will change the shape of a segment without removing the rest of the path or opening the path. For example, if you follow the curve of a circle as you drag from the top toward the bottom, you can make the circle narrower. If you drag from one part of the circle and change direction, you can create a segment that changes the circle to an open path.

Experimenting with the Reshape tool is the best way to learn the various techniques you can use to modify paths.

Editing Paths with the Push Tool

The Push tool provides an alternative way of editing paths. The tool lets you form curves without having to edit anchor points and tangent lines. The Push tool is useful for people who are not experts at editing paths and who want to simply drag on path segments to bend them into shape.

The Push tool bends a path where you push (drag) on it. Imagine that a rope is laid out straight on a table. If you push your finger against the middle of the rope, you form a curve at that point. Using the Push tool has a similar effect on a straight segment of a path.

Dragging a path with the Push tool bends the path. The Range setting controls the width of the effect.

You can adjust the range of the Push tool effect. A smaller range results in sharper bends, and a larger range results in smoother bends.

To Use the Push Tool:

1. Select an object to edit. One vector object can be selected or be in Path Edit mode.
2. Select the Push tool. 
3. If you want to change the Range of the Push tool, enter a value in the text box in the Properties bar.
4. Drag on the path where you want to push a segment into a curve shape. When you release the mouse, Canvas X Draw reshapes the path.

After you use the Push tool, the object remains selected or in Edit mode. Continue to use the Push tool to modify the path.

To Change the Range of the Push Tool:

Use the Range settings in the Properties bar when the tool is selected. The Range value is expressed in the rulers’ measurement units.

To Specify the Range Value:

Enter a value in the Range text box. You can type an abbreviation for the measurement units following the range value; e.g., to set the Range to 10 picas when the ruler units are inches, enter 10p in the text box.

Depending on the Range setting, editing a path with the Push tool can add or remove anchor point from the path; e.g., when the Range value is low, the Push tool is likely to add anchor points where you push a path. However, when the range is high and a path is not straight, the Push tool can smooth out a part of the path, which can result in fewer anchor points.

Working with Objects in Edit Mode

To edit points and segments of a path, place the path object in Edit mode. In Edit mode, a path’s anchor points appear as small squares along the path. Every path has at least two anchor points.

When an object is in Edit mode, you can select one or more anchor points. You can even select anchor points and segments on more than one object at once, as long as the objects are in Edit mode.

To Place an Object in Edit Mode:

Do one of the following to place a path object in Edit mode:

• Select the object with the Direct edit selection tool. 
• Double-click the object with the Selection tool. 
• Select the object and choose Path | Edit Path or choose Object | Edit | Object.

• Select the Selection tool after placing an anchor point while you are drawing a path.

You can identify whether you are in Curve Edit mode by the Status bar or the following icon in the Properties bar: 

To Place Multiple Objects in Edit Mode:

Place two or more objects in Edit mode by selecting them with the Direct edit lasso selection tool, or by selecting them with the Selection tool and then choosing Path | Edit Path.

To Return from Edit Mode:

When you finish editing an object, click outside the object with either the Direct edit selection tool or Direct edit lasso selection tool. You can also double-click outside the object with the Selection tool. In addition, you can press the Esc key to leave Edit mode.

To Edit Special Vector Objects:

Some Canvas X Draw drawing tools create specialized objects. When you double-click one of these objects to place it in Edit mode, Canvas X Draw displays special editing handles or configuration options, rather than the anchor points and segments of a regular path object.

The tools that create special vector objects are the Concentric Circles, Cube, Polygon, Grid Maker, Multigon, or Spiral. Also, when you modify objects with the Envelope or Extrude commands, Canvas X Draw creates specialized objects.

If you want to use path-editing techniques to modify these objects, convert them to paths. This usually produces a group of objects. After you ungroup these objects, you have regular paths that can be edited using the techniques that follow. You can also convert text characters to paths so that you can edit the shapes of individual characters. (See Converting Objects and Text to Paths.)

Editing Paths with the Context Menu

When a path is in Edit mode, use the context menu to quickly add, delete, and change anchor points and tangent lines. To see this menu, right-click with at least one object in Path Edit mode. The available options vary depending on the location of the pointer. Each option is described next.

• Delete Point: Available when the pointer is on an anchor point and appears as a crosshair. Removes the anchor point from the path, and connects the adjacent anchor points with a new segment.
• Cusp: Available when the pointer is on a tangent line handle or an anchor point. On anchor points, this option deletes the point’s tangent lines. On tangent line handles, this option makes the path either smooth or cornered at the anchor point. To be smooth, the anchor point must have both sides of a tangent line. When smooth, the halves of the tangent line are always 180° from each other and rotate around the anchor point like a propeller. When the anchor point is a corner, the tangent line segments can move independently around the anchor point, like the hands of a clock.

• Smooth: Available when two or more points of an object are selected. You can smooth any paths made of straight segments.

• Fillet: Available when the pointer is on a corner point (with less than two tangent lines between two segments. Fillet creates a radius corner between the two segments. When you choose Fillet, in the dialog box, enter a radius value in the text box and click OK. The larger the radius value, the larger the curved segment. A message appears if the radius value is too large for the angle of the segments.
• Add Point: Available when the pointer is on a path segment and appears as a gray arrowhead. Inserts an anchor point with a tangent line where you click.
• Break: Available when the pointer is a gray arrowhead on a path. Splits the path segment at that location, and adds anchor points to the ends of the resulting segments.
• Join: Available when you select two anchor points that are not connected. Connects the selected points with a straight segment.
• Delete Handle: Available when the pointer is on a tangent line handle and appears as a crosshair. Removes the handle and the effects of the tangent line on the path. (See To Delete Tangent Lines:.)

• Add Handle: Available when the pointer is on an anchor point and there are fewer than two tangent line segments at the anchor point. Adds one or two tangent line segment to the anchor point. (See To Add a Tangent Line:.)

• Straighten: Available when the pointer is on a path segment and appears as a gray arrowhead. Makes the path segment straight by removing tangent lines from the segment’s anchor points.
• Enable Symmetrical Drag: Available when an object is in Path Edit mode. You can easily create a symmetrical design from a circle, rectangle, or a complex group of objects. (See To Symmetrically Resize Path Points:.)

Selecting Anchor Points and Segments

When you edit paths, you need to select particular anchor points or segments before you can delete, move, or reshape them. Before you can select anchor points and segments, a path object must be in Edit mode. (See To Place an Object in Edit Mode:.)

When a path is in Edit mode and you point to an anchor point with a Selection tool, the pointer becomes a crosshair. When you point to a segment, the pointer becomes a gray arrowhead. The Selection tools are explained in Selecting Objects with Selection Tools.

When an anchor point is selected, the Properties bar displays settings for angle and length. You can even add/delete handles or adjust the point to smooth or cusp.

You can select points in more than one path. When you move any selected point, all points in the selection move the same way. (If all the points in a path are selected and you drag one, the entire path moves.) This also works for segments belonging to separate paths.

To Select Anchor Points and Segments:

With the path object in Edit mode, click an anchor point or segment to select it. To select multiple points or segments, use either the Direct edit selection tool or the Selection tool to drag a selection box around them or Shift-click each point or segment.

To Select All Anchor Points:

With the path object in Edit mode, choose Edit | Select All.

To Select Parts of Separate Paths:

Place the paths in Edit mode, and Shift-click the point or segments.

To Inverse a Selection:

Choose Edit | Invert Selection. The other points are selected and the current one is deselected.

When an anchor point is selected, it changes from a solid to hollow square. If the anchor point has tangent lines, they appear when the anchor point is selected. All tangent lines that affect the segments that touch the selected anchor point also appear. When you select a segment, the anchor point at each end is selected.

Adding and Deleting Points and Segments

If a segment’s anchor points are too far apart for you to adjust the shape as needed, add more. If you create or add more anchor points than you need, delete unnecessary ones.

Keep in mind that the more points on a path, the more complex and system resource-intensive it becomes. In particular, too many anchor points can cause printing problems. It’s best to use the fewest possible anchor points placed as far apart as possible to create a path.

To Add an Anchor Point:

With an object in Edit mode, right-click a segment to which you want to add an anchor point. In the path Context menu, choose Add Point. You can also Ctrl-click a segment to add a point.

To Delete an Anchor Point:

With an object in Edit mode, right-click the point you want to delete. In the path Context menu that appears, choose Delete Point. You can also Ctrl+Shift-click a point to delete it, or select points and press the Delete key.

To Delete a Segment:

Select the anchor points at each end and press the Delete key. Deleting a segment of a closed path does not open the path; the remaining segments are joined and the path remains closed.

To Add Segments to an Open Path:

Add segments to the end of an open path using the Curve tool or Polygon tool.

If you create the open path with the Smooth Polygon tool, use the Smooth Polygon tool to add segments.

1. With the object in Edit mode, select the endpoint where you want to add a segment.
2. Select the Curve tool (to add straight or curved segments) or Polygon tool (to add straight segments).
3. Click to add a straight segment beyond the selected endpoint. With the Curve tool, add a curved segment by clicking the mouse to establish the new anchor point and then dragging to position the tangent line.
4. To add additional segments, repeat the previous step. When you finish, press Esc to leave Edit mode.

To Add Points to a Curve:

Often technical illustrators need to quickly add more editing points to a Bézier curve.

1. Select the object.
2. Choose Path | Add Points.
3. In the Add Points dialog box, enter the number of points that you wish to add to the object.
4. Click OK to accept your choice.

Closing and Opening Paths

A closed path is one that starts and ends at the same anchor point. An open path has separate starting and ending points. You can close an open path by letting Canvas X Draw create a new segment to join the path’s two endpoints. Open a closed path by breaking the path.

To Close an Open Path:

With the path in Edit mode and the Curve or Polygon tool selected, click one of the endpoints. Canvas X Draw closes the path by connecting the endpoints with a new segment. If the adjacent segments are curved, the new segment follows the curve.

To Break a Closed Path:

With the object in Edit mode, right-click an anchor point or segment to open the path Context menu. In the menu, choose Break; Canvas X Draw inserts segment end points to open the object at that location.

Using the Scissors Tool to Open and Divide Paths

Use the Scissors tool to open a closed path and divide a path into two objects. Splitting a path opens the path at the point where the scissors clip the path.

To Use the Scissors Tool:

1. Select the Scissors tool. The pointer changes to a pair of scissors. 
2. Point to the path where you want to split it. (You don’t need to select the object first.) The pointer becomes a crosshair when it is on a point or segment that can be split.
3. Click the path when the crosshair is displayed. Canvas X Draw adds two endpoints where you click the path, and the path opens.
4. If the path is closed and you want to split it into two paths, click the path again where you want to split it.

Dividing Objects with the Knife Tool

Divide vector objects into separate pieces using the Knife tool. When you drag the Knife tool, it draws a cutting path. If the cutting path divides an object into two parts, the result is two new objects. If the cutting path crosses itself, the area inside the path becomes a new object.

The Knife is similar to the Scissors tool; both tools divide vector objects. The Scissors tool divides an object with a straight line between the two points that you click. The Knife tool slices objects along a freeform cutting path. Therefore, use the Knife tool to cut curved edges.

Use the Knife tool on open and closed vector objects. If you slice one or more open paths, the resulting objects are open paths.

If you slice an open path that crosses itself, the path separates where it crosses itself and where you slice it.

To Use the Knife Tool:

1. Select the Knife tool. 
2. Drag in the document to draw a cutting path that intersects the objects you want to divide. The cutting path must intersect at least two points on an object’s perimeter.
   • Constraining the path: To constrain the path of the Knife tool to 45° increments, press Shift as you drag. Release the Shift key to drag freely.
   • Partial cuts: If you stop dragging before the cutting path intersects a second point on an object's perimeter, the cutting path appears but the object stays intact. To use this cutting path to divide the object, drag a second cutting path so it intersects the perimeter of the object and the first cutting path. Or, you can intersect the cutting path with other cutting paths to create a closed shape. The part of the object that falls within the closed shape becomes a separate object.
   • Cutting holes: Cut out pieces of a vector object by dragging inside the object and creating a closed path. The parts of the object that fall within the closed cutting path become separate objects. To create a closed cutting path, the path must cross itself.
   • Gradient inks: If an object’s fill ink is a gradient, and the style is Radial, Directional, Rectangular, or Elliptical, the gradient remains intact across the separated objects. However, if the gradient style is Shape, the gradient fills each divided object separately.

To Configure the Knife Tool:

Use the settings in the Properties bar.

• Cut Only Selected Objects: Select this option to make the Knife tool slice only vector objects that are selected and intersected by the cutting path. This setting can prevent unintentional changes to nearby objects.
• Cut All Objects: Select this option to make the Knife tool slice any vector objects that the cutting path intersects, whether the objects are selected or not.

Cropping Vector and Image Objects

Canvas X Draw contains a Page Crop tool that can be used to crop several objects at once. This tool can be used on both image and vector objects.

If some vector objects contain SpriteEffects, you should render those objects before applying the Page Crop tool.

Any objects that are outside of the cropping rectangle will be deleted after completing the crop. After applying the Page Crop tool, images remain paint objects. Vector objects, however, become Bézier curves. The pen stroke, if any, becomes a composite object.

You cannot crop text objects or images to which a soft rotate effect has been applied. If you plan on using or editing the original file in the future, ensure that you save a copy of the file before applying the Page Crop tool.

To Use the Page Crop Tool:

1. Select the Page Crop tool. The cursor changes to a crosshair. 
2. Drag the crosshair diagonally across the objects to form a cropping rectangle.
3. Move the cropping rectangle, if necessary. Place the cursor on the border of the cropping rectangle and a hand appears.
4. Resize the cropping rectangle, if necessary.
5. In the Properties bar, select an option from the Scale Type drop-down menu, as described below.
6. Place the cursor within the cropping rectangle and click to complete the crop.

Scale Type Options

Periodic Waveforms

In Canvas X Draw, you can easily add a sine wave, sawtooth wave, or square wave to a Bézier or polygon segment that is in Curve Edit mode.

This command can be applied to one segment at a time.

To Create a Waveform:

1. Ensure that the Bézier curve or polygon is in Curve Edit mode.
2. Right-click on the path segment to access the context menu.
3. Select one of the wave options: Insert Sine Wave, Insert Square Wave, or Insert Sawtooth Wave.
4. In the Wave Configuration dialog box, enter a value for the frequency in the # Cycles field.
5. Enter a value for the Amplitude.
6. Click OK.

Waveform Examples

Joining Two Paths

Use the Join command to create one path from two separate, open path objects.

Remember that the object must have an open path. If the object’s path is closed, you must break it. (See Editing Paths with the Context Menu.)

To Join Two Paths:

Select the two open path objects that you want to join. Choose Path | Join. Canvas X Draw connects the two paths by extending the existing segments or creating a new segment.

To Join Paths at Selected Endpoints:

Canvas X Draw, by default, joins paths at the closest endpoints; however, you can select which endpoints to join.

1. Place an open object or multiple open objects in Edit mode.
2. Click an endpoint you want to join to another path. The endpoint becomes hollow to indicate that it is selected.

You can also draw a selection box around the object’s endpoints with either the Selection tool or Direct edit selection tool.

3. Shift-click another endpoint. The endpoint also becomes hollow to indicate that it is selected.
4. Choose Path | Join or right-click one of the selected points. In the context menu, choose Join.

Moving Anchor Points and Segments

With a path in Edit mode, you can move points and segments to alter the shape of the path.

Drag an anchor point or segment to move it. You can also press the keyboard arrow keys to move selected points and segments. Moving reshapes the segments you drag or the segments attached to the points that you move.

Pressing Shift while dragging points or segments will constrain their movement to 45° intervals.

When you begin to drag a segment, the anchor points display their tangent lines. You can control the movement of the tangent lines by using modifier keys when you drag the segment.

• Expand or contract curves: Press Tab and drag a segment to change the length of its tangent lines without changing their angles. This is the way that segments could be reshaped (without pressing Tab) in Canvas 3.5 and earlier versions.
• Reshape adjacent segments: To reshape a segment and adjacent segments together (if they are joined with smooth anchor points), press Alt and drag the segment.

See also:

• Drawing Basic Shapes
• Reshaping Paths by Editing Anchor Points
• Selecting Objects