Illustrator: Moving a point along a path.

Question

I am trying to move a point along a path without distorting the path.  Vectorscribe has a plugin but that requires a subscription.  I don't mnd paying a modest fee but a subscription seems to be a bit much.  Any ideas for alternatives or work arounds?  Thanking anyone in advance.

Jacob Bugge · Accepted Answer

SanFranJohn, Anshul,

As far as I can see, the first suggestion on StackExchange will disrupt the path by scaling the left part of it along with the scaling of the right part, because a crucial step is missing, and it can be done simpler.

The other two suggestions there involve messing with the path which must then be unmessed (which can go wrong).

For a shortening of a straight path segment (starting with the path deselected) by ClickDragging the end Anchor Point with the Direct Selection Tool having Smart Guides on is enough (Smart Guides saying path).

For a lenghtening of a atraight path segment by moving the end Anchor Point, I would suggest the following (simpler) way, starting with the path deselected, Smart Guides also being your friends:

1) With the Direct Selection Tool Click the path segment to be changed to have only that selected;

2) With the Scale Tool, Click the starting Point of the path segment, then ClickDrag the end Anchor Point (Smart Guides saying uniform).