Editing Paths and Contours

To fine-tune or completely transform vector objects, edit their nodes, contours, and paths. For more detail on paths and contours see, The Anatomy of a Vector Object. For more detail on types of nodes, see Editing Nodes.

Note: All of the commands in the Objects menu appear in a context menu that opens when you right-click on objects, contours, or nodes.

To edit a contour:

1. From the Tools toolbar, select the Pen tool .

2. From the Tool Options palette's Mode section, select Edit .

3. Click on a contour, then double-click one node to select all nodes.

4. Choose Objects > Edit and select a command:

5. Cut Removes the selected contour to the Windows clipboard. If the object has only one contour, the command removes the entire object.

6. Copy Copies the selected contour to the Windows clipboard.

7. Paste Pastes a cut or copied contour into the current object.

8. Delete Deletes the selected contour.

9. Select All (Ctrl+A) Selects all nodes in the path.

10. Select None (Ctrl+Shift+A) Deselects any selected nodes.

11. Invert Selection (Ctrl+I) Selects all deselected nodes and deselects all selected nodes.

To delete a contour:

1. From the Tools toolbar, select the Pen tool .

2. From the Tool Options palette's Mode section, select Edit .

3. Click on a contour, and then double-click one node to select all nodes.

4. Press Delete or choose Edit > Clear.

Note: You cannot delete a path. A path is deleted with its object or when all its contours are deleted.

To move a path:

1. From the Tools toolbar, select the Pen tool .

2. From the Tool Options palette's Mode section, select Edit .

3. To select the path, click on any contour in the path.

4. To move all the contours in the object (the path), click and drag any contour.

To move a contour:

1. From the Tools toolbar, select the Pen tool .

2. From the Tool Options palette's Mode section, select Edit .

3. Do one of the following:

4. Hold down Shift and move the cursor over the contour. The cursor will display “SUB.” Click and drag the contour; or

5. Click on a contour or path, then double-click one node to select all nodes. Click and drag one of the nodes.

Related Topics

Adding and Closing Contours

Adding or Removing Nodes on a Contour

Breaking Contours

Reversing the Direction of Contours or Paths

Joining Contours

Duplicating a Contour