Neverside

strange illustrator problem

other than being strange its hard to explain. so lets say make a path, and from what i know, i hold ctrl to drag an anchor point inwards/outwards w/e. alot of the time that works. but then all of a sudden, the next time i hold it, its got a transfrom box around it and if i try to drag the point out, it just expands the entire path. any help here? im guessing its a really small detail im missing out on.

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scudworkz.com.

You should only hold the Ctrl key if you are going to edit an existing handle. If you hold it before you create the smooth anchor (that is, an anchor with handles) you'll get the bounding box.

ok, so what tool can i use to move anchors without handles, and whats it shorcut key

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scudworkz.com.

Ctrl when you're using the pen tool returns you to the selection arrow you used last. So you need to make sure that you're using the correct one (A not V).

Originally posted by coolaid:

ok, so what tool can i use to move anchors without handles, and whats it shorcut key

If you are creating the path then just set the anchors at the correct point and with the correct curvature as you create them. Always try to make the path as close to the final result as possible and edit only when finished; this makes working with the Pen tool much easier and faster.

If you are editing a path, use the Convert Anchor Point tool (Shift + C).

If you want to move an anchor, use the Direct Selection tool (A).

For more information regarding each tool refer to Illustrator's Help.

Originally posted by Stratification:

Ctrl when you're using the pen tool returns you to the selection arrow you used last. So you need to make sure that you're using the correct one (A not V).

Not entirely true. If you position the Pen tool at the end of the handle you are able to modify its width while holding the Ctrl key. The Alt key also lets you work with the handles, but instead of curves it creates a corner with handles.