Add a modifier key to Pen and Anchor Point tools to constrain an existing anchor handle’s angle while dragging a new handle out
What I ask for is the equivalent of "constrain path dragging on segment reshape" kind of behaviour, but accessible on the fly on the anchor point edit level, not segment level. As it is now, if I have an anchor with a long handle on one side and short handle on the other side, it is impossible to adjust short handle directly without seriously messing with the direction of the long handle, altering the curvature wildly.
Łukasz Martynowicz
shared this idea
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Paul Mackinnon commented
With the anchor point tool you can convert corner to curve and vice versa. Then you can also grab one handle and move it independently breaking the link between the two handles. Also you can click on one handle to retract it altogether so the is now only one handle.
However, if you have a point with one handle you have no way to get a second handle other than to drag out a new pair of (linked) handles from the anchor which therefore loses the position of that first handle and you have to reshape both handles instead of just the second one as required.
It makes no sense that you have a feature to click on a handle and retract it without an opposite feature to unretract it and manipulate it independently.
In other words to get two handles you have to be prepared to reposition the existing handle. You should be able to preserve that handle and get another handle from the anchor point -
@Egor
Thank you for the plugin suggestion, I'll try it. The "split path" method is a bit too cumbersome for a fast lineart workflow, segment dragging is all in all more convenient. -
Yes, handles are second-class passengers in Illustrator :(
So far there are two methods I know to tweak a handle’s length without messing the angle of the other handle for a smooth point.
1. Use the PathScribe tool from Astute Graphics plugin. Holding Opt/Alt will do exactly what you want. The plugin is paid, but their toolset is bombastic.
2. Cut the path in this point, grab the one of two you need (this can be tricky), and then scale it — with the Scale tool and Smart Guides on, or with the Scale dialog. No plugins required.(Edited by admin)
