Drag a curve without changing the handle directions

[BobKotlinski]

I haven't used Illustrator for a very long time, and things have really changed!

You used to be able to drag a curve without it affecting the direction of the bézier handles, only the distance. I know there is a button in Photoshop that does it called "Use Legacy Path Segment Dragging". Is there anything like that in Illustrator?

Thanks for helping an old-timer out!😂

 

[Monika Gause]

It's in Preferences >Selection & anchor point

Don't know how the setting is called in English, but you should find it in the upper section of that dialog.

[carlosgarro · Accepted solution]

Maybe this option?

[Bobby Henderson]

Yeah, that's the setting. One thing that doesn't seem to be included in Illustrator's Pen tool is the abilility to manually adjust the length of one direction handle of a smooth anchor point without affecting the angle. If you have a smooth point set with direction handles on a 0, 45 or 90 degree angle the angle can be constained by toggling the shift key. If the direction handles are set at an odd angle there appears to be no way how to maintain that angle while manually adjusting one of the handles.

Astute Graphics' Inkscribe tool does allow this behavior; you toggle the Alt key (Windows) to manually adjust the length of one direction handle of a smooth point without affecting the opposing direction handle or changing the existing angle.  

[BobKotlinski]

At least this option lets you adjust the handle distance without affecting the direction.

Thanks!

[BobKotlinski]

Yup! That's it. Somehow I missed it the first time going through the Preferences.

Thanks!

[BobKotlinski]

Perfect! That's the one.

Thanks!