Editing Object Tangents

Each curved section of a shape has a tangent at the control point. The tangent is a straight line extending outward from the control points with a control point at each end. Use the tangent to control the direction and curvature of the shape at a control point.

To edit a tangent:

1. Select the object.
2. In the tool options, click the Control Points option .

The object's control points appear.

3. Click a control point to select it.

The tangent appears.

4. Click and drag either of the tangent control points.

The shape of the curve changes as you drag.

Note: Press Alt while dragging a tangent handle control point to adjust the length of both sides of the unbroken tangent handle at the same time.



5. To break the tangent handle, press Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Macintosh) while dragging. Press Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Macintosh) again to remove the break.

Note: Press Shift while dragging to constrain the tangent line to 45-degree increments.

To change a linear control point (no tangent line) to a Bezier control point (with tangent line):

While pressing Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Macintosh), click and drag the linear control point until a tangent line appears.

To change a Bezier control point to a linear control point:

Press Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Macintosh) and click the Bezier control point.

The tangent line disappears, and the shape of the curve is flattened at that point.