Tips for creating and editing paths in Illustrator



Tips for creating and editing paths in Illustrator


Question

I'm new to Adobe Illustrator, but I have used extensively Inkscape. While I recognize that Illustrator is vastly superior in many fronts, I feel a bit of a lag due to the need to use three or four different tools for creating and editing paths. I also find the handles extremely small.

So, I would like to ask for tips or advice, or even links, to how to deal with the (perhaps just perceived) extra difficulty in editing paths on Illustrator. Also, if it is possible at all to get bigger handles.

Thanks in advance!

2013/05/29
1
6
5/29/2013 6:32:00 PM

Accepted Answer

Keyboard shortcuts make living in Adobe so much easier.

I see you have most of them, but just to have a list:

  • P = Pen tool
  • + = Add Point
  • - = Remove Point
  • Shift+C = Convert Anchor Point tool
  • Ctrl+J = Join two points
  • \ = Line Segment tool
  • M = Create rectangle
  • L = Create ellipse

While using the Pen tool, Shift locks into specific angles, Alt gives you quick access to the Convert Anchor Point tool, and Ctrl lets you move the whole object you're working on.

While creating rounded rectangles, polygons, or stars, see what happens when you use the up/down/left/right arrows as well as Ctrl and Alt for the stars.

2013/05/29
10
5/29/2013 6:34:00 PM

You can get slightly bigger handles and/or anchor points by selecting displays from the 4 boxes that I've highlighted.

The size difference isn't big, but it should help a little.

You can get to preferences from the top menu or Ctrl+K ( or cmd )

enter image description here

If you want help in other areas, you need to be a bit more specific.

For example: "In inkscape I was able to do this like that. How could I do it the same way in illustrator?"

This site could help a tiny tiny bit, even though it's meant for transfering from illustrator to inkscape.

http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/index.php/Inkscape_for_Adobe_Illustrator_users

Joonas
2013/05/29