Creating Line Objects

From ShadeCamp

In Shade, modeling consists of building a structure using Bezier lines. In this lesson, you will learn how to draw straight and curved lines. Here we will use a template. After creating line objects, we will study how to edit the objects.

Contents 1 Loading a Template 2 Drawing a Straight Line 3 Closing an Open Line 4 Drawing a Curved Line 5 Switching Between Straight and Curved Segments 6 Editing Line Objects 6.1 Enter Modify Mode (Switch to Modifying State) 6.2 Editing Other Objects in Modify Mode 6.3 Selecting Other Objects in Modify Mode 6.4 Exiting Modify Mode 6.5 Selecting Anchor Points 6.6 Memorizing the Selection State 6.7 Selecting the Next Anchor Point 6.8 Selecting the Previous Anchor Point 6.9 Selection by Clicking 6.10 Selecting the Next Anchor Point by Dragging 6.11 Additional Selection by Clicking 6.12 Additional Selection by Dragging OR Selection 6.13 Selective Deselection by Clicking 6.14 Additional Deselection by Dragging SUBTRACT Selection 6.15 Adverse-Selective Deselection by Dragging AND Selection 6.16 Deselect All Anchor Points by Clicking 6.17 Selecting All Anchor Points Using the Select All in the Edit Menu 6.18 Moving Anchor Points 6.19 Simultaneous Exclusive Selection and Moving of an Anchor Point 6.20 Simultaneously Move Selected Anchor Points 6.21 Restrict Movement to Multiples of 45° from the Horizontal 6.22 Moving Anchor Points Indirectly 6.23 Adding Anchor Points 6.24 Deleting Anchor Points 6.24.1 Delete All Selected Anchor Points 6.25 Moving Tangent Handles 6.25.1 Moving Linked Tangent Handles 6.25.2 Changing the Length of a Tangent Handle Without Changing the Direction 6.25.3 Moving a Tangent Handle Independently (Unlinking the Handles) 6.25.4 Deleting Tangent Handles 6.25.5 Iron 6.25.6 Smooth 6.25.7 Unsmooth 6.25.8 Switch 6.25.9 Reverse 6.25.10 Degenerate 6.26 Using the Toolbox 6.26.1 Memorize 6.26.2 Apply 6.26.3 Append 6.27 The Move Tool 6.27.1 Using the Move Tool in Modify Mode 6.28 Modifying Control Points 7 Modifying a Disk 8 Modifying a Sphere 9 Modifying a Line Object 9.1 Moving a Control Point 9.2 Deleting a Control Point 9.3 Adding a Control Point 9.4 Modifying Tangent Handles (1) 9.5 Modifying Tangent Handles (2) 9.6 Disjoining the Joined Tangent Handles 9.7 Deleting a Tangent Handle 9.8 Modifying Multiple Shapes 9.9 Selecting Multiple Control Points 9.10 Moving Multiple Control Points 9.11 Deleting Multiple Control Points 9.12 Narrowing the Selection of Control Points 9.13 Deselecting Multiple Control Points 10 Multi-Handle

Loading a Template

1. Select New from the File menu to create a new file.
2. From the Template submenu in the Figure menu, choose Load Top view. Then, open the “Template.bmp” file in the “Chapter 05” folder inside the “User Guide” folder.
   
   The template is displayed in the background of the Top part of the Figure window.
   
   The Template file is displayed in the Top view. The Show Template checkbox is ticked. By switching off the Show checkbox, the template can be hidden. Leave the Template on for now.
   
3. Click the Top radio button in the Figure Controller.
   
   The Figure window will change to show only the Top view.
   
4. Check off the Snap checkbox in the Figure Controller.
   
   Snap is a function which causes the 3D cursor to snap to the grid lines (as well as to the half-way point

between grid lines). Here, this function is turned off so we can trace the line objects smoothly, following the template.

The grid is a faint lattice that appears in the Figure window when the Grid checkbox is on.

Drawing a Straight Line

A straight line is created by connecting any two points you click with the mouse in the Figure window. We will use the drawing at the top of the template.

1. Select Open Line from the Create tool in the Toolbox.
   
2. Click on points 1, 2, and 3 in order.
   

The points clicked become vertices (anchor points) and get connected as you click.

IMPORTANT: By pressing the Shift key while moving the 3D cursor, the angle of the line is restricted to multiples of 45°. To connect two points with a straight horizontal line, such as points 2 and 3 in the above figure, using the Shift key is very convenient.

3. Click the finish button in the Toolbox to finish

drawing.

An open line appears in the Browser window.

Besides clicking the finish button, you can also terminate drawing by double-clicking the last point or by pressing the Enter key (Windows) / Return key or Enter key (Macintosh).

Closing an Open Line

An open line can be converted into a closed line, and vice versa.

1. Select Object Info in the Aggregate window while an Open Line is selected in the Browser window.

2. Click on the Closed checkbox. The start and end points are connected, and a closed line is created. The open line changes to a closed line in the Browser window.

Drawing a Curved Line

You can draw a curved line by dragging tangents with the mouse in the Figure window. A curved line is created between several anchor points. Now we will use the drawing in the middle of the template.

1. Select Open Line from the Create tool and drag from 1 to 1A, from 2 to 2A, and from 3 to 3A in order.

The point from which you start dragging becomes an anchor point, and the tangent stretches out from the anchor point as you drag. The direction and the length of the tangent are freely controlled by dragging, and the curvature of the line changes according to the mouse movement.

2. Click the finish button in the Toolbox to finish drawing.

An open line appears in the Browser window.

Switching Between Straight and Curved Segments

This technique allows you to draw a line as you desire without needing later modification. We will use the drawing at the bottom of the template.

1. Select Open Line from the Create tool and click at 1 and 2.

Points 1 and 2 are connected by a straight line.

2. Hold down the Ctrl key (Win) / Option key (Mac) while clicking at 2A and then release the key. Point 2A is assigned as one of the tangent handles that form the line between points 2 and 3, which will be placed in the next step.

3. Drag from 3 to 3A.

A curved line is created based on tangent handle 2A and the tangent handle that stretches in the opposite direction towards point 3A.

4. Hold down the Ctrl key (Win) / Option key (Mac) while clicking at 3B and then release the key. Instead of 3A, 3B becomes one of the tangent handles of the line between points 3 and 4, which will be placed in the next step.

5. Drag from 4 to 4A.

6. Hold down the Ctrl key (Win) / Option key (Mac) while clicking at 4 again, release the key, and then click at 5.

Tangent handle 4A, one of the tangent handles of the line between 4 and 5, disappears, and anchor points 4 and 5 are connected by a straight line.

7. Press the finish button to terminate the drawing.

Editing Line Objects

In this lesson, you will learn how to edit line objects. Then we will try editing some control points.

Enter Modify Mode (Switch to Modifying State)

When you select an object or a part that includes the object and choose Enter Modify Mode from the Modify tool of the Toolbox, or just click on a selected object in the Figure window when no other objects are selected, the object enters the Modify mode. When you select two or more objects and choose Enter Modify Mode from the Modify tool of the Toolbox, all the objects enter the Modify mode. Then you can edit these objects simultaneously.

In Modify mode, you can perform various operations with the Move tool on a control point, and select, move, append, and delete control points with the mouse in the Figure window; use the Iron, Smooth, Unsmooth, Switch, Reverse and Degenerate to Point operations in the Modify tool; use the Memorize, Apply and Append buttons in the Toolbox; and use the move (change direction and distance), new (create), delete and link operations on a tangent handle. You can undo (and redo) up to the last 100 operations using the Edit menu.

* The Iron, Smooth, Unsmooth, Switch, Reverse and Degenerate to Point operations of the Modify tool, the Memorize, Apply and Append buttons in the Toolbox, and the various operations of the Move tool can also be used in other modes.

When you enter the Modify mode, the mouse pointer changes from an arrow into a cross (Modify pointer) with a length and width of one grid. When the Modify pointer is placed over a control point, that is, when pointing is enabled, then a dot which indicates that pointing is enabled appears at the lower right of the pointer.

Editing Other Objects in Modify Mode

When other objects are selected in the Figure window while in the Modify mode, those objects enter the Modify mode.

Selecting Other Objects in Modify Mode

Select another line object in the Browser window while holding down the Ctrl key (Win) / }{ key (Mac) to add that line object to the selection while remaining in the Modify mode.

Exiting Modify Mode

When you are in the Modify mode, click finish in the Toolbox, or type the Enter key (Win) / Return or Enter key (Mac), or even choose an item in the Create tool, Part tool, or the solid tool in the Toolbox, to exit from the Modify mode.

Selecting Anchor Points

You can select anchor points using the mouse in the Figure window, as well as with Select All in the Edit menu. Anchor points that are currently selected appear as black (solid) squares, whereas unselected ones are indicated by white (hollow) squares.

You can select control points or anchor points of a line object using the mouse in the Figure window, as well as with Select All in the Edit menu. The currently selected and unselected Control points are indicated by different color squares. These colors can be changed in the Preferences dialog box.

Note: The Control points referred to hereafter are limited to anchor points of line objects.

Memorizing the Selection State

The anchor point selection state is memorized when you exit from the Modify mode, until the scene file is closed.

Selecting the Next Anchor Point

When one anchor point is selected, the Enter Modify Mode in the Modify tool changes into the Next Control Point. The next anchor point can be selected using Next Control Point, or by dragging a selection box across part of the line object which is in Modify mode.

Selecting the Previous Anchor Point

When one anchor point is selected, the Previous Control Point item appears in the Modify tool. The previous anchor point is selected using this item.

Selection by Clicking

You can select an unselected anchor point by clicking on it. All other anchor points will be deselected. When more than one anchor point overlap at the point where you click, the anchor point closest to the starting point is selected.

Selecting the Next Anchor Point by Dragging

This is the same as “Selecting the next anchor point.” When multiple anchor points are enclosed within a selection box, the next anchor point is selected if only one anchor point was previously selected. When multiple anchor points were selected, the first anchor point is selected.

Additional Selection by Clicking

An unselected anchor point can be additionally selected by clicking that point while holding down the Ctrl key (Win) / }{ key (Mac).

If multiple anchor points overlap at the point you click, the anchor point closest to the starting point is selected.

Additional Selection by Dragging OR Selection

Unselected anchor points can be additionally selected by drag-selecting those points while holding down the Shift key.

Selective Deselection by Clicking

Click a selected anchor point while holding down the Ctrl key (Win) / }{ key (Mac) to deselect that anchor point.

Additional Deselection by Dragging SUBTRACT Selection

Drag-select selected anchor points while holding down the X key (Win) / 0 key (Mac) to deselect them.

Adverse-Selective Deselection by Dragging AND Selection

Drag-select (a) selected anchor point(s) while holding down the Ctrl key (Win) / }{ key (Mac) to deselect all other anchor points.

Deselect All Anchor Points by Clicking

Click anywhere other than a control point while holding down the Ctrl key (Win) / option key (Mac) to deselect all anchor points.

Selecting All Anchor Points Using the Select All in the Edit Menu

All anchor points can be selected with the Select All in the Edit menu.

Moving Anchor Points

Although anchor points can be moved by dragging them in the Figure window, there are other methods as well.

Simultaneous Exclusive Selection and Moving of an Anchor Point

Drag an unselected anchor point to select that anchor point and move it. All other anchor points are deselected.

If multiple anchor points overlap at the point where you start dragging, the anchor point closest to the starting point is selected and moved.

Simultaneously Move Selected Anchor Points

Drag any one of a group of selected anchor points to move them all at the same time.

Restrict Movement to Multiples of 45° from the Horizontal

Dragging an anchor point while holding down the Shift key will restrict movement to multiples of 45 degrees from the horizontal.

Moving Anchor Points Indirectly

Dragging anywhere while holding down the Shift + X keys (Win) / Shift + }{ keys (Mac) will move the selected anchor points. In this way you can drag anchor points from a distance. A straight line connecting the point where the mouse button is first pressed and the Note of the mouse pointer appears during dragging. This line can be used as a reference for the direction of movement. Release the X key (Win) / }{ key (Mac) during dragging to enable the direction restriction provided by the Shift key.

Adding Anchor Points

Drag the mouse cursor while holding down the X + Z keys (Win) / }{ + option keys (Mac) so as to intersect the line object, to add an anchor point at the intersection. The new anchor point always has tangent handles, so that the shape of the line object does not change. Even if the anchor points on either side of the added anchor point have no tangent handles, the added anchor point will have them.

Note: When a new anchor point is added to a line object,the subdivision of the line segments on either side of the added point will change. If two line objects are used to create a surface (as in a Curved Surface), and a point is added to one of them, the surface may then render with a visible gap or break. To rectify this, replace the second line object with a copy of the first, after the point is added.

Deleting Anchor Points

Delete All Selected Anchor Points

Either click an anchor point while holding down the Z + X keys (Win) / }{ + option keys (Mac), or select an anchor point and choose Delete from the Edit menu or press the Delete (Del) or Back Space (BS) key while holding down the Ctrl key (Win) / choose Delete from the Edit menu or press the Delete key while holding down the option key (Mac), to delete the selected anchor points.

Moving Tangent Handles

Moving Linked Tangent Handles

You can change the direction and length of a tangent handle by dragging it. As long as they are linked, the two tangent handles will change direction together, so as to always point in opposite directions.

Changing the Length of a Tangent Handle Without Changing the Direction

You can change the length of a tangent handle without changing its direction by dragging the tangent handle while holding down the Shift key.

Moving a Tangent Handle Independently (Unlinking the Handles)

Drag a tangent handle while holding down the Ctrl or Z key (Win) / option key (Mac) to release the linkage of the tangent handles. Then the handles can be moved independently. Click instead of drag to just release the linkage.

The existing tangent handles can be replaced with new, linked handles by dragging an anchor point while holding down the Z key (Win) / option key (Mac).

Deleting Tangent Handles

Click a tangent handle while holding down the X (Win) / }{ key (Mac) to delete the clicked part of the handle.

Iron

You can automatically adjust control points and smooth line objects by selecting Iron from the Modify tool in the Toolbox. This tool can be used on selected anchor points in the Modify mode, line objects that are not in the Modify mode, line objects that form curved surfaces, and curved surfaces.

Control points are adjusted by changing their positions and their tangent handles. Tangent handles are attached to those anchor points without tangent handles. For open line objects, the positions of the start and end points remain unchanged. Therefore, the Iron tool cannot be applied to open line objects composed of only two points. Line objects are degenerated by applying the Iron tool repeatedly.

A line object which consists of four points. Select all four points to apply the Iron.

All four points are adjusted.

Select three points from the previous line object and apply the Iron.

As a result of adjusting three points, a different shape is created.

Select a different combination of three points and apply the Iron.

Iron is applied twice.

Note: The Iron function changes a Bezier curve by approximating a curve with a lower degree.

Smooth

You can automatically adjust tangent handles and smooth line objects by applying the Smooth function of the Modify tool in the Toolbox. This tool can be used on selected anchor points in the Modify mode, line objects that are not in the Modify mode, line objects that form curved surfaces, and curved surfaces. Unlike Iron, the Smooth function is only applied once or twice in a row, after which it has no further effect.

For anchor points with no tangent handles, handles are added whose length is 1/3 the distance to the anchor points on either side. For endpoints, tangent handles are attached so that they are symmetrical to the adjacent anchor point. When all the anchor points have tangent handles, or when you apply Smooth a second time to the same line object, the length of the tangent handles are changed to the average length.

A closed line object which consists of four anchor points. None of the control points have tangent handles. Select two points and apply Smooth.

The selected points will have tangent handles, and the object is smoothed.

An approximation of a disk with the least error results from applying Smooth to a square line object. This object is equivalent to the closed line object created by Converting a disk. An approximation of a half-circle with the least error results from applying Smooth to an open line object made from two equal-length line segments that are perpendicular, and joined at their ends. This line object is equivalent to the open line objects that form the curved surfaces created by Converting a sphere.

Unsmooth

Tangent handles are deleted by applying the Unsmooth function of the Modify tool in the Toolbox. This function can be used with selected anchor points in the Modify mode, line objects that are not in Modify mode, line objects that form curved surfaces, and curved surfaces.

Switch

The Switch function of the Modify tool in the Toolbox becomes available when selected line objects are elements of a curved surface. This function can be used on selected anchor points in the Modify mode, line objects that are not in Modify mode, line objects that form curved surfaces, and curved surfaces. When Switch is chosen in the Modify mode, the line objects in the intersecting direction change into the Modify mode. When this occurs, the line object in the intersecting direction that contains the selected anchor point changes into the Modify mode. If no anchor point is selected, the line object in the intersecting direction that contains the starting point changes into the Modify mode. When more than one anchor point is selected, the line object in the intersecting direction that contains the anchor point closest to the starting point changes into the Modify mode.

Choosing Switch while line objects forming a curved surface are selected when you are not in the Modify mode will select the line object in the intersecting direction that contains the starting point of the line object.

Choosing Switch while a curved surface is selected (not in Modify mode) will change the Browser window to display the line objects in the intersecting direction.

Reverse

When Reverse is chosen from the Modify tool in the Toolbox while anchor points are selected, the direction in which the selected anchor point and anchor points in front and behind are connected is reversed.

Choosing Reverse when a line object is selected while you are not in the Modify mode will reverse the order of the control points.

Choosing Reverse when a curved surface is selected while you are not in the Modify mode will reverse the order of control points on all line objects forming the curved surface that are currently displayed in the Browser.

Degenerate

Degenerate in the Modify tool in the Toolbox causes anchor points to converge to an averaged point. Tangent handles are deleted. This function can be used on multiple anchor points that are selected in the Modify mode, or line objects not in the Modify mode.

Select two points from a closed line object that consists of four points, and apply Degenerate.

This function can be used for curved surfaces (such as cylinders) composed of closed line objects and open line objects in the intersecting direction, to cover the ends. Duplicate the closed line object located at the end at the same position, and Degenerate that copy to cover the end of the cylinder.

1. A curved surface consisting of two closed line objects and four open line objects. We will close the top of the cylinder, as well as round the edges.

2. Duplicate the line object at the top at the same position, then degenerate it. The midpoint of the curved surface is degenerated.

3. Drag to change the order of line objects in the Browser window. The cylinder is covered.

4. The second closed line object is selected, and Round Edge is applied.

Using the Toolbox

Memorize

This button records information on control points. The positions of the selected anchor points and tangent handles are memorized, including the order of the points. This function can be used to memorize selected control points in the Modify mode, or line objects that are not in the Modify mode.

Apply

The memorized control point information is applied, in the order of the points, to the selected control points or line object. If the Smooth checkbox in the Toolbox is on, information on the tangent handles in the intersecting direction is also applied.

1. Select two anchor points on the line object forming the curved surface on the left, and click the Memorize button.

2. Check that the Smooth checkbox in the Toolbox is on, select two anchor points on the line object forming the curved surface on the right, and click the Apply button.

3. Information on the tangent handles of the memorized anchor points in the intersecting direction was also applied to the line object control points on the right, thereby connecting the two curved surfaces smoothly.

4. When the Smooth checkbox is off, the surface is connected with no tangent curve applied.

Append

You can append a memorized line object to the selected line object using this function. The first control point of the memorized line object (start point)is connected to the last control point of the selected line object (end point).

An “a” shaped line object and a “b” shaped line object. The order of control points on these line objects is the same as the stroke order. First, select line object “b” and click the Memorize button, then select “a” and click the Append button.

Control points of “b” are appended to the “a” line object.

The Move Tool

Using the Move Tool in Modify Mode

You can use the same functions as provided by regular operations. Directions and lengths of tangent handles can also be subjects of the Move tool operations.

1. A disk has been transformed into a closed line object, and four anchor points are added at regular intervals. Every other point is selected.

2. Use Uniform Scale in the Move tool to bring the selected anchor points evenly toward the center.

3. Uni-scale is completed.

4. Then, rotate them using Rotate in the Move tool.

5. The Rotate operation is completed. You could also use a Morph joint to interpolate between the first object (shown in Step 1) and the final shape.

Modifying Control Points

Shade has a mode called “Modify” for editing shapes. There are two ways to enter into the Modify mode: by choosing Modify tool / Enter Modify Mode in the Toolbox (below left), or by reselecting the active shape with a selection box (below right).

Two methods to enter into the Modify mode

In the Modify mode, every selected control point of a shape becomes active, allowing you to deform or move the shape by dragging the control points.

The size of the displayed control points can be controlled with the Control bar’s Large Point checkbox. To make the figures in this Shade User Guide clear, control points are shown with the Large Point checkbox on.

(Large Point checkbox

Various shapes in the Modify mode

Left: with Large Point off; Right: with Large Point on

The start point of a line object is larger to allow you to easily identify the point. Even when the Large Point checkbox is on, the start point is larger than the others.

Now, let’s learn how to modify control points for disks, spheres, and line objects.

Modifying a Disk

1. Choose New in the File menu to create a new file.

2. Choose Disc from the Create tool in the Toolbox to create a disk.

3. Reselect the created shape with a selection box.

You have entered into the Modify mode.

4. Drag a control point on the perimeter.

When the cursor is over a control point, the small box n will appear, indicating that you can drag the control point to rotate and/or deform the disk according to the direction and distance you drag.

Note: If you drag a control point with the Shift key pressed, the disk will be restrained so as not to rotate, but can be stretched up or down in one direction.

5. Drag the center control point of the shape.

The shape moves linearly.

6. Press the finish button to exit from the Modify mode and delete the shape using the Delete key or Back Space key (Win) / Delete key (Mac).

Modifying a Sphere

1. Choose Create tool / Sphere in the Toolbox to create a sphere.

2. Within the Top view, reselect the created shape with a selection box.

You have entered into the Modify mode.

3. Drag a control point on the surface of the sphere. The sphere is rotated and/or scaled up/down according to the direction and distance dragged.

4. Drag the center control point of the sphere.

The shape moves linearly.

5. Press the finish button to exit from the Modify mode and delete the shape using the Delete key or Back Space key (Win) / Delete key (Mac).

Modifying a Line Object

Let us create a line object using a disk.

1. Choose Toolbox / Create tool / Disk to create a disk within the Top view.

2. Select the created disk and click the convert button in the Toolbox to convert the disk to a closed line.

3. Choose Toolbox / Modify tool / Enter Modify Mode.

You have entered into the Modify mode. Four points on the line object are now indicated with hollow boxes (n), and the selected line object is ready to be modified.

4. Click on point A.

Only a selected control point can be modified.

For a line object, the boxes (control points) on the line object itself are called “anchor points,” and the two lines that stretch out from the anchor point are called “tangent handles.”

Moving a Control Point

1. Select anchor point in the figure below and drag it.

The control point moves along with the mouse pointer.

Deleting a Control Point

1. With the control point in the figure below active, press the Ctrl + Delete key or Ctrl + Back Space key (Win) / Option + Delete key (Mac). The selected control point is deleted.

If you press the Delete key or Back Space key (Win) / Delete key (Mac) in the Modify mode, the shape itself is deleted.

Note: You can also delete a control point using the Z key + X key + click (Win) / }{ key + 3 key +click (Mac).

2. Select Undo from the Edit menu.

The modification you have just made is canceled, and the deleted control point is restored.

Adding a Control Point

1. Drag the mouse pointer from A to B across the line object while holding down both the X + Z keys (Win) / }{ + option keys (Mac) at the same time.

A new control point is added.

Modifying Tangent Handles (1)

1. Drag anchor point A in direction B while holding down the Z key (Win) / option key (Mac).

A new pair of tangent handles stretches out from the anchor point; both tangent handles are replaced.

Modifying Tangent Handles (2)

1. Drag one of the end points of the tangent line (one tangent handle).

The tangent handle changes as the mouse pointer moves. The shape of the curve also changes accordingly.

The two tangent handles are joined; when one of them is dragged with the mouse, the direction of the other tangent handle changes accordingly. The tangent handle that is dragged changes both in terms of length and direction, but the other tangent handle changes only in direction.

Disjoining the Joined Tangent Handles

1. Drag a tangent handle while holding down the Ctrl key (Win) / option key (Mac).

The two tangent handles are disjoined (uncoupled), allowing the individual tangent handles to be manipulated separately. The disjoined tangent handles are sometimes referred to as “folded tangent handles.”

To rejoin the disjoined tangent handles, start dragging at the anchor point while holding down the Z key (Win) / 3 key (Mac) to create new, joined handles.

Deleting a Tangent Handle

1. Click on the tangent handle at point A while holding down the X key (Win) / }{ key (Mac).

The tangent handle that was clicked on is deleted.

2. Click the finish button to exit from the Modify mode.

Modifying Multiple Shapes

It is possible to edit the control points of multiple shapes at the same time.

1. Choose Toolbox / Create tool / Disk to create a disk next to the line object.

2. Click Convert in the Toolbox to convert the disk to a line object.

The disk is converted to a closed line.

3. Select the root part, then choose Toolbox / Modify tool / Enter Modify Mode. You have entered into the Modify mode.

Selecting Multiple Control Points

1. While holding down the Shift key, drag a selection box around the control points you want to select.

Multiple control points are selected.

Moving Multiple Control Points

1. Place the mouse pointer on any selected anchor point and drag.

All the selected control points move together as you drag the mouse.

Deleting Multiple Control Points

1. Press the Ctrl + Delete key or Ctrl + Back Space key (Win) / option + Delete key (Mac) to delete the selected control points.

Note: You can also delete all the selected control points using Z key + X key + click (Win) / }{ key + option key + click (Mac).

2. To restore the previous view, choose Edit menu / Undo.

Narrowing the Selection of Control Points

1. Choose Edit menu / Select All.

Using Select All in the Modify mode, all the control points are selected for the selected shapes.

2. Drag a box around any selected control point while holding down the Ctrl key (Win) / option key (Mac).

Only the control points within the selection box remain active. All selected control points can be unselected using this method.

3. Drag or click any place where no control points exist in the Figure window, while holding down the Ctrl key (Win) / option key (Mac).

All control points are deselected.

Deselecting Multiple Control Points

1. Again, choose Edit menu / Select All.

2. Drag the mouse to box any selected control points while pressing the X key (Win) / }{ key (Mac).

The control points within the selection box become inactive.

Multi-Handle

The Multi-handle edit mode is enabled when the Multihandle checkbox of the Control Bar is turned on. In this mode, you can modify tangent handles stretching out from selected control points simultaneously. The angles of all the other tangent handles will be the same as that of the handle being dragged. The lengths of the other tangent handles will change in proportion to the original length of the tangent handle being dragged.

First, turn on the Multi-handle checkbox in the Control Bar.

The directions and lengths of other selected tangent handles are changed along with the movement of the tangent handle being operated on.

We will change the length of the lower right tangent handle.

Because the lower right tangent handle is longer, the upper left tangent handle will become proportionally longer.

By modifying curved surfaces in the Multi-handle mode, you can treat divided curved surfaces as if they were glued together.

1. A curved surface consisting of three open line objects plus two open line objects is divided. One of the curved surfaces is colored red for convenience.

2. We will try to modify control points where the two curved surfaces come into contact. Select curves where both curved surfaces touch, and enter the Modify mode. Select the control points to be changed. The two curved surfaces are separated so that both tangent handles are easier to see, in the illustration below.

3. Drag one tangent handle. You will see that the other tangent handle moves along as well.

4. Anchor points also move along.

5. Movement has been completed.

6. The separated curved surfaces are brought together again. Two curved surfaces correspond exactly when the accuracy of surface subdivision is the same.

7. Now, we will change the tangent handle in the intersecting direction. Select a line object in the intersecting direction of one of the curved surfaces, enter the Modify mode, and check the selected control points. A Control point at the position where one curve comes into contact will be selected when the operation is performed consecutively from the top.

8. Select a line object in the intersecting direction of the other curved surface, and check the selected control points.

9. Select two line objects in the Modify mode. Both control points and tangent handles correspond.

10. Drag the tangent handle.

11. The shape is complete.

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