In a previous article, TipsMake introduced you to the Shape Builder tool in Adobe Illustrator. In this article, TipsMake will continue by showing you how to draw and edit curves using the Curvature tool in Illustrator.
To learn about the Curvature tool and how to draw and edit curves with it in Illustrator, please refer to the article below from TipsMake.
Draw and edit curves with the Curvature tool in Illustrator.
1. Use the Curvature tool in Illustrator to draw curves.
To draw curves in Illustrator, we can use the Pen Tool; however, this tool requires precision and precise placement of anchor points to draw directional lines. The Curvature tool uses a more intuitive approach, making it easier to draw and edit curves.
Before you begin, you can refer to some useful keyboard shortcuts for using the Curvature tool, including the Cmd/Ctrl, Option/Alt, and Shift keys.
To draw a curve in Illustrator, first select the Curvature tool, then click to create the initial anchor point, and then click and drag to create a second anchor point. As you move the mouse, Illustrator will determine the curve between the two anchor points you just created and the mouse position as you move it.
The image below illustrates how to create a curve using the Curvature tool in Illustrator. Note that two anchor points are created along the path, and as you move the mouse, the curve is created based on the mouse position.
Continue clicking to add anchor points along the path, as the Curvature tool determines the necessary curve to create a connection between each anchor point. While drawing, you can adjust the previously set anchor points by clicking and dragging them to a new location.
If the anchor point is adjusted, the curve will also be affected. If you return to the original anchor point, i.e., the first anchor point created, the Curvature tool allows you to click on that anchor point to close the path.
By default, the Curvature tool will close the path and a curved segment. However, we can create a corner point (used to create straight segments) by double-clicking on the initial anchor point.
Double-click any anchor point you've created to switch between a corner point (straight line) and a smooth point (curved line).
2. Edit the curve with the Curvature tool.
The Curvature tool allows you to adjust the position of anchor points on any path by clicking and dragging to reposition the anchor points and adjust the connections between them. To add more anchor points to an existing path, use the Curvature tool to click on the path and add an anchor point at that location.
To delete an anchor point on a path, click on the anchor point and press the Backspace/Delete key to delete it. If drawing an open path (a path that doesn't create a closed shape), you can press the Escape key to indicate that you have finished drawing the object, or press and hold the Cmd key (on Mac) or Ctrl key (on Windows) and click anywhere on the panel to deselect the object.
Additionally, the Curvature tool allows you to preview the line segment you are about to draw, a feature that can be useful for beginners or users who don't like the Pen tool.
To disable the preview or Rubber Band, you can do so in Illustrator preferences. To open this dialog box, press Cmd + K (on Mac) or Ctrl + K (on Windows) and click on Selection & Anchor Display. At the bottom of the dialog box, you'll see options to enable or disable the Rubber Band for the Pen or Curvature tool. Choose any option you prefer.
The article above from TipsMake has just guided you on how to draw and edit curves using the Curvature tool in Illustrator. Additionally, readers can refer to some other articles on TipsMake to learn how to change the default background color in Illustrator.
Along with the curve drawing function, the method of bending text in Adobe Illustrator is also specifically and meticulously explained on taimienphi. The method of bending text in Adobe Illustrator is not too difficult; you can learn and use it yourself.