First handle on first anchor point disappears

[TommyTwoBrains]

With Pen Tool: click and drag to create an anchor point with  two handles:

...create another point(s) – one handle on the first point disappears:

...join with first point to complete a shape:

...the first point has only one handle. Illustrator has decided it should be a corner.

I know there are workarounds and that this behaviour may be intended; perhaps this function has been split into separate tools, but I'm sure older versions of Illustrator did not do this...

Any key combination or Preference to retain the first anchor point's handles would be greatly appreciated.

[Jacob Bugge]

Tommy,

"but I'm sure older versions of Illustrator did not do this..."

I am afraid that behaviour is (almost) as old as the hills.

[TommyTwoBrains]

Yes. I've lived with it for several versions.

Still, it seems bad to allow the user to create a handle only to immediately ignore it; and to add an extra step when creating a totally smooth shape – the first/last point always being a corner.

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

When closing the shape, don't just click, but click and drag.

[Jacob Bugge]

Tommy,

My guess is that you wish to retain the exact original Direction Handle(s) of the first/last Anchor Point without further ado, in other words without your having to redo/adjust what was made already.

[TommyTwoBrains]

That is very useful.

The only downside is, when click-dragging to close the shape, the existing handle moves, though this is the best solution I can hope for. Thank-you.

[Jacob Bugge]

Tommy,

"The only downside is, when click-dragging to close the shape, the existing handle moves, though this is the best solution I can hope for."

The last bit depends on how far you are willing to go into silly additions, such as a fake path beginning/guide path. You may, Smart Guides being your friends:

1) With the Line Segment Tool, ClickDrag as you would for the first Anchor Point;

2) With the Pen Tool, Click the end Anchor Point of 1), then the first one to close the guide path and avoid trouble in 3);

3) Start on the real path by ClickDragging the first Anchor Point along 2), thereby exactly (re)creating the desired Handle;

4) Create the rest of the path, and conclude by repeating the ClickDragging from 3) to retain the exact shape/Handle;

5) Delete the guide path 2).

And, maybe less silly, but maybe also less likely successful (at least in the foreseeable future), you may ask for it as a feature:

https://illustrator.uservoice.com/