Bezier Curves

[mrjackson]

I know how to convert corners to curves. No problem. However, I am looking for the option or keyboard combination that will drag out the curve handles equally on both ends. I've tried Option, Command, Shift, and Control on my Mac keyboard, but none of them seem to do the job. 

Any suggestions?

MJ

[didiermazier]

This may not answer correctly your question but… if instead of draging the handles you drag the path itself both handles moves the same…

 

[Monika Gause]

The handles of one point? If they already exist, you can select the point and then scale.

For handles of multiple points, try the plugin VectorScribe with its PathScribe tool. (not for free)

[Jacob Bugge]

MJ,

This thread may be useful,

https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator-discussions/how-do-i-select-and-move-two-control-handles-...

[Jason Hoppe]

There are 2 ways to get the handles to pull equally from a point.
1: This soluions works when you are drawing using the Pen Tool and you click (create a pont) and pull a point, equal handles will appear.
2: if there is an existing point, you can Option click on the point with the Pen Tool to pull the handles back in (as you mentioned creating corner / curve points), then Option click and Pull out to get symetrical handles. Once you let go of the handles, they will become independent.
If you are trying to pull handles equally after they are created, only one handle can be pull at a time.

[Monika Gause]

3. Scale it: https://youtu.be/DcXhIZOZ-fw 

[Jason Hoppe]

This is a great solution Monika!

[mrjackson]

Thanks for all of the responses. I followed the link showing how to grab two or more handles on different shapes and moving them all at the same time, but they all pull in the same direction. 

Jason Hoppe wrote this:

"If you are trying to pull handles equally after they are created, only one handle can be pull at a time."

I think that is the correct answer within native Illustrator.

In the examples above, I made an oval, then with the selection tool, I held the option key down while dragging the side handles to make the oval more skinny. Great.  In the third example, I have a shape in which the left handle at the top is not the same length as the handle on the right, and I'd like to find a command that will equalize the lengths and let me drag them in or out. ...symmetrical handles. I would have hoped holding the option key down while dragging would do this, and it seems like it would be a good feature for Illustrator. 

I have a signmaking program that has this feature and I use it all of the time. 

Astute Graphic's Vector Scribe might be the solution. I need to review its features. At least asking the question here gives me some direction to pursue.

[Jacob Bugge]

MJ,

If you just wish to have the two Handles to be symmetrical and decide their length (and thereby the curvature) by eye, you can do it in the same way in the third part of the image as you did in the second part, with the native tools.

If you wish to change one of the Handles to be the mirror of the other one, in other words have the same length equal to one of the current lengths, you can also do that with the native tools, as follows (Smart Guides being your friends):

1) Click the Anchor Point with the Direct Selection Tool so both Handles appear (deselect first if needed);

2) With the Line Segment Tool ClickDrag from the Handle with the right length into the Anchor Point (Smart Guides say first handle then anchor when you are within snapping distance), then Ctrl/Cmd+X+B (hold Ctrl or Cmd and press X then B) to bring the new Handle guide path behind the curved path to avoid its being selected in 4);

The following step is only needed in some cases, see 4):

3) If needed, copy the new Handle guide path from 2) and ClickDrag it to the other side of the Anchor Point with the selection Tool (by the Handle end snapping to the Anchor Point);

4) Select the curved path, then Alt/Option Click/ClickDrag from the Anchor Point to the end of the (relevant) Handle guide path from 2) or from 3) and enjoy the symmetrical Handles with the right length.

3) is only needed if the original Handle guide path is at the wrong side of the Anchor Point so the curvature is reversed and the path crosses itself, and in that case you can use the copy instead.

This depends on the direction of the path; in the case of an ellipse, the right Handle of the top Anchor Point is at the right side, and it that is the one with the right length, 3) is unneeded.

[mrjackson]

Hi Jacob, thanks for taking the time to write this out. Actually, I was hoping there was a simple method (such as holding down the option key while dragging). There have been a lot of cases where people here have given me the simple step that I had been missing. My other program does this so elegantly, and simply. I usually start in Illustrator, then port the files to my PC where the other program resides and let that program do what it does better than Illustrator. 

The attachment shows a little of a file I am working on at this very moment. The large panel was an oval that was stretched to a semi-football shape. I wanted the handles on both ends to be equal length. I still need to replace a few of the beads with larger ones, but it is almost done. 

MJ

[Jacob Bugge]

MJ,

As mentioned here,

https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator-discussions/bezier-curves/m-p/14303288#M391261

I believe you may be better to also use the other application, or suffer the more elaborate way until a script/new feature arrives or till the end of time, whishever occurs first.

[Monika Gause]

Is this what you want? https://youtu.be/v5JHbkZMSds 

[mrjackson]

Hi Monika, The video shows how to make the handles, or multiple handles non-smmetrical. 

The attachment shows a screen grab from my other program. The original shape was a circle. There are three icons along the top showing the three simple tools. The first one allows me to drag independent handles on a curve point. The middle one drags a curt handle off of a sharp point and the last one is the symmetrical tool that drags both handles out or in at an equal distance. If that tool is chosen, a point with two unequal length changes to a point with equal lengths.   

At the bottom of the grab is a small section of another part of the screen in which I can look down and see whether I have the grid on, constrain on, or snap to on (or off). The constrain ON is the same as holding down the shift key in Illustrator or Photoshop. I was looking in Illustrator for a similar set of icons to quickly tell if Smart Guides are on or off.

I didn't see a similar tool in Path Scribe.

Cheers, MJ

[Monika Gause]

I don't understand what you want to do - I was merely guessing because I do not understand your descriptions. I don't know your application. Maybe you try out what PathScribe can do for you. It might not have those same tools, but still can do what you want.

[Jacob Bugge]

MJ,

Am I right in guessing that clicking the icon lets you work on the Handle you click to choose (the rightmost one it seems in this case), and then last/rightmost icon lets you change the Handle length to be the same as the opposite one?

If that be the case I am afraid you need an action/script, or you will be better/easier off in that other application.

Any scripter with a suggestion?

[mrjackson · Accepted solution]

Hi again,

I solved this.

On a point containing two unequal length Bezier handles, select Shift-C to change to the Convert Anchor Point tool. Click the point once (which changes the point to a corner point), then click the point again and drag the bezier points out to the desired length.  

Thanks for all of the suggestions! MJ