I'm an Illustrator user just starting out with CD and theres a basic thing that I dont understand how to accomplish.
I want to create a number of nodes and then convert one of them to a curve by pulling out two bezier handles from one the node.
In illustrator, I would use the pen tool to create the anchor points and then click on one of them using the convert anchor point tool to pull out the bezier handles.
Whats the equivalent method in CD?
I realize that this is a really basic question, but I looked at several tutorials and they only discussed other methods of creating curved lines.
(Such as pulling out the handles WHILE creating the node using the pen tool. Or using the fillet option, thus creating two separate nodes.)
Can someone help me out?
Hello cropher; I'm sure you will like Corel once you get up to Speed with it. As said above the answer is on the menu bar. All you have to do is play with the commands until you are use to them. Come often and help and learn things about Corel. I have been using Corel since 1990, and I learn something I didn't know about AllThe Time. This is a GRATE site for learning.
Have Fun, George
What others have not mentioned is that you can easily customise all these commands. So you have a zig zag line with a few nodes. Shape tool, select as many as you like Right Click, To Curve. Note this converts the segment up to the node (check the direction arrow) to curve. If you want to have a curve both ways you need to select the node after too so then you have a curve segment both sides of your chosen node.
Similarly you can toggle between node types. When you draw straight line segments then convert to curves all the nodes are cusp with no handles. IF you use the 'C' shortcut this toggles to Smooth and back to Cusp. Is you use the 'S' shortcut that toggles between Smooth and Symmetrical nodes. Play around and you'll find it very powerful.
When drawing a line with the Bezier tool you can click and drag to create the node. When you drag the handle you immediately create a symmetrical node. If whilst still dragging you hit the S key you will convert it to a smooth node. If you hit the C key you will convert it to a Cusp node. None of the Illustrator switching tools to achieve what you need, its all there right at your fingertips,and vastly more powerful as you customise the commands to suit your needs. I have X set to break apart the the curve at the selected point (it doesn't have to be a node, you can place a marker), J to join, A for smooth (asymmterical) S for Symmertical, C for Cusp. Also note the accelerator keys when you have the right click menu open, they are the letters underlined, justhit that letter to execute that command). Double clicking on a curve adds a node, double clicking a node deletes it. Del works on multiple nodes.
Play around with Shift clicking nodes to select multiple nodes. Better to learn by doing in this instance , though there are some bugs in this functionality that havne't been fixed yet.
Now whilst dagging out a node handle, hit the Alt key and see what happens. Very usefull.
Now try drawing the curve you were attempting to create by converting the one node. Dont draw a zig zag and then convert it draw it like you want it straight from the get go. its very easy. Bezier tool, click click, click, click and drag horizontally,let go, click click click . Ctrl-Spacebar to get back to the Pick tool (I always customise the shape tool to Alt Space, makes editing quicker).
Great info! thanks man!