Skip to main content
StatedApparel
StatedApparel
Participant
March 21, 2023
Answered

Hotkey that achieves [Alt+click] on latest anchor point?

  • March 21, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 795 views

There are plenty of times I find myself outlining a complicated shape like clouds, or a treeline that involves a ton of path 'cutbacks', in which I need to alt+click the anchor point and redirect over and over. Is there a way to allow that process to be solely on my left hand so my mouse can be moving on to the next click point?

 

I would love to be able to create a hotkey that tells Illustrator to nix the latest placed anchor point of it's leading handlebar. Instead of Alt+click > Alt+[keystroke].

 

I would even be up for purchasing a plug-in that allows this as it would for sure save me hours in work time.

Thanks!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Egor Chistyakov

Yes, Astute Graphics’ PathScribe allows to put their Retract Handles command into an action, just checked.

As for the native soultion... don’t think so. A script can definitely be made, but a plugin exists already, and it allows to do so much more than this. Paid though. But worth it.

2 replies

Egor Chistyakov
Egor ChistyakovCorrect answer
Inspiring
March 26, 2023

Yes, Astute Graphics’ PathScribe allows to put their Retract Handles command into an action, just checked.

As for the native soultion... don’t think so. A script can definitely be made, but a plugin exists already, and it allows to do so much more than this. Paid though. But worth it.

StatedApparel
StatedApparelAuthor
Participant
March 28, 2023

I have reached out to Astute Graphics, and they are amazingly helpful. They recorded and voiced a couple videos with tailored tutorials toward what they figured would be helpful to me.

They mentioned the Retract Handles annotation, but I believe they missed my point of wanting it to be solely a left hand operation. A quote from Carlos: 'The idea behind PathScribe is so everything you need to do with the pen tool(s) can be done with one hand.' Which is the opposite of what I am looking for, I wish to MAXIMIZE my left hand 🙂

 

Can the retract handle command be mapped to a hotkey?

Egor Chistyakov
Egor Chistyakov
Inspiring
August 31, 2023

Oh, sorry, I missied this message, but Adobe sent me an update about the status of my initial reply...

Yep, AG are very helpful. Were you able to assign an action for the Retract Handles? Then you can call it with something like F2, using your left hand.

Kurt Gold
Community Expert
Kurt GoldCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 22, 2023

I think or at least hope that I do understand your request, but I'm not quite sure.

 

Can you perhaps post a screen recording or a static sketch that may explain what you are looking for?

 

My first thought was about a plugin called "Better Handles" that is now part of one of the plugins provided by Astute Graphics, but I'm not sure because I don't use them at the moment.

 

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 22, 2023
    quote

    My first thought was about a plugin called "Better Handles" that is now part of one of the plugins provided by Astute Graphics, but I'm not sure because I don't use them at the moment.

     

    By @Kurt Gold

     

    Astute Graphics aquired Better Handles. The functionality is integrated in VectorScribe and PathScribe.

    Kurt Gold
    Community Expert
    Kurt GoldCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 22, 2023

    Yes, I've already told so, Monika.

     

    I'm just not sure if it may help to do whatever StatedApparel wants to do.

     

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices