93 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
93 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: Vector Object Editing
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description: "How to edit vector path geometry: anchors, bezier handles, modifiers, and Pen tool actions in edit mode."
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---
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# Vector Object Editing
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Vector Object Editing mode lets you change a curve's **geometry**: anchor positions, segment shape, and bezier handles.
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In this mode, you edit the path itself, not standard object transforms.
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## Entering the Mode
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- Select a vector object with the Select tool.
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- **Double-click the curve**.
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This activates geometry editing for the selected vector.
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## Exiting the Mode
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- Press <kbd>Escape</kbd>.
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- Or switch to another editing context.
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## What Changes in This Mode
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- The normal transform bounding box is disabled for the object.
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- Anchor, segment, and handle editing becomes available.
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- Cursor behavior does not switch to resize/rotate at bbox corners.
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## Basic Actions
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### Move an Anchor
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- Drag an anchor point.
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- Connected segments and path shape update live in preview.
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### Edit a Bezier Handle
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- Drag a handle on the anchor.
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- By default, behavior follows the anchor's current handle composition.
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## Handle Drag Modifiers
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| Action | Mac | Windows / Linux |
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|----------|-----|-----------------|
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| Continuous (Smooth / Continuous) | <kbd>Cmd</kbd> + drag | <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + drag |
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| Corner (Independent handles) | <kbd>Option</kbd> + drag | <kbd>Alt</kbd> + drag |
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| Direction lock (length only) | <kbd>Shift</kbd> + drag | <kbd>Shift</kbd> + drag |
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### Continuous: <kbd>Cmd</kbd>/<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + drag
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- The active handle is constrained to the same line as the sister handle.
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- Only the active handle length changes.
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- Use this for smooth transitions without a corner break.
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### Corner: <kbd>Option</kbd>/<kbd>Alt</kbd> + drag
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- The active handle is edited independently.
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- The sister handle stays in place.
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- Use this to create a sharp corner transition.
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### Direction Lock: <kbd>Shift</kbd> + drag
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For anchors with **Continuous** or **Symmetric** composition:
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- handle direction is locked to the value from **before the current drag started**;
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- dragging changes only handle length (or lengths, depending on composition).
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## Bend Override by Dragging an Anchor
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When you drag an anchor while holding <kbd>Cmd</kbd>/<kbd>Ctrl</kbd>, the editor selects the target handle by **segment attachment direction** at that anchor (not by nearest neighbor-point distance).
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This also works on multi-branch vector-web anchors: once resolved, the target handle stays locked for the current drag.
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## Using the Pen Tool in Edit Mode
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With the Pen tool active:
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- **Click a segment** to insert a new anchor (split segment).
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- **Click an open-path endpoint** to resume drawing from that point.
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- **Option/Alt + click an anchor** to delete it (when topology allows).
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For path creation and closing behavior, see [Pen Tool](./pen-tool.md).
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## Practical Workflow
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1. Draw a shape with the Pen tool.
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2. Double-click the curve to enter Vector Object Editing mode.
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3. Move anchors to refine the silhouette.
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4. Drag handles:
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- with <kbd>Cmd</kbd>/<kbd>Ctrl</kbd> for smooth continuous transitions,
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- with <kbd>Option</kbd>/<kbd>Alt</kbd> for independent edits,
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- with <kbd>Shift</kbd> for length-only edits.
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5. Press <kbd>Escape</kbd> to exit.
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