Adobe ILLUSTRATOR 10 Using Manual page 59

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To convert a smooth point to a corner point with independent direction lines, drag
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either direction point.
Converting a smooth point to a corner point
To temporarily switch from the convert-anchor-point tool to the last used selection
tool, press Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS).
Adjusting straight and curved segments
You can modify the shape of a path by moving any of its anchor points or by moving the
direction points of direction lines attached to a curve segment. Editing existing segments
is slightly different from drawing them. Keep the following guidelines in mind as you
adjust existing segments:
If an anchor point connects two segments, moving that anchor point always changes
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both segments.
When drawing with the pen tool, you can temporarily activate the last used selection
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tool by holding down Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS) so that you can adjust
segments you've already drawn.
When you draw a smooth point with the pen tool, dragging the direction point
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changes the length of the direction line on both sides of the point. However, when you
edit an existing smooth point with the direct-selection tool, you change the length of
the direction line only on the side you're dragging.
To adjust a straight segment:
With the direct-selection tool , drag the anchor point on either end of a segment.
Shift-drag to constrain the adjustment to multiples of 45 degrees.
If you're simply trying to make a rectangle wider or narrower, it's easier to select it
with the selection tool and resize it using one of the handles on the sides of its
bounding box.
To adjust a curved segment:
1 Using the direct-selection tool , select the anchor point on either end of a curved
segment. Direction lines appear on the anchor point and on the adjacent anchor points,
if present (some curved segments use just one direction line).
2 Do one of the following:
Drag the anchor point. Shift-drag to constrain movement to multiples of 45 degrees.
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