A path is a line that consists of one or more straight or curved segments. If it is Open, the path has a beginning point and an end point. If it Closed, it has created a full loop between the beginning and end points and can be Filled.
| Open Path | Closed Path | Closed Path with Fill |
When you have more than one segment in one path, the segments are separated by a Control Point. The position of the Control Point determines the shape of the adjacent segments.
On curved segments, each anchor point displays Direction Lines, ending in Direction Handles. Their angle and size determine the shape of the curve.
A Control Point located between two segments can be:
Symmetric |
Smooth |
Cusp |
| The Direction Handles point in opposite directions along the same line and have the same size. | The Direction Handles point in opposite directions along the same line but are not the same size. | The Direction Handles are not in the same line. |
A double circle or square indicates the Starting Point of the path. In an open path, the Starting Point can be at either end of the path. In a closed path, the Starting Point can be anywhere on the path.
When a straight segment is selected:
When a curved segment is selected:
You can create paths using the Bezier Path Tool or the Freehand Drawing Tool. See below for their individual articles.
To continue drawing an existing open path, select the Bezier Path Tool or Freehand Drawing Tool and click the cursor over either end of the path.
Editing Paths
Flexi has numerous tools that can modify and edit existing paths and points. You'll find these tools here in the Path Edit flyout on the Main Toolbar:
The following articles detail each of the tools:
- Select Point Tool
- Adding or Removing points
- Straighten Points
- Rounding Corners
- Sharpening Corners
- Optimize by Curve
- Optimize by Smooth Arc
- Optimize by 3-Point Arc
- Convert to Arc- Reduce Points
- Close Path
- Change Start Point
- Cleaver and Scissor Tools- Convert Corners to Right Angle
- Break Paths
- Join paths
- Aligning Points
- Apply Length and Angle
- Removing Tiny Objects
This video demonstrates some of the tools used above:
Additional Reading: