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Adjust object anchor points and curves



The Titler includes tools for modifying existing paths. You can add or delete object anchor points on a path. You can also move object anchor points, and manipulate their direction lines to change the curve of adjacent line segments. And you can specify not only the path’s thickness but also the shape of each of its ending points, or its caps, and its corners, or joins.

Add an object anchor point to a path

  1. Select the path.
  2. Select Add Anchor Point Tool .

    • To add an object anchor point without creating or manually adjusting a curve, click where you want to add an object anchor point.

    • To add an object anchor point and simultaneously move the new point, drag the spot on the path where you want to add an object anchor point.

Delete an object anchor point

  1. Select the path containing the object anchor point.
  2. Select Delete Anchor Point Tool .
  3. Click the point that you want to delete.

Adjust an object anchor point

  1. Select the path containing the object anchor point.
  2. Select Pen Tool .
  3. Position the cursor over the point, and when the cursor becomes an arrow with a square next to it, drag the object anchor point to adjust it.

Convert object anchor points from one type to another

While drawing, you may find it necessary to change the type of object anchor point you have created for a segment.

  1. Select the path you want to modify.
  2. Select Convert Anchor Point Tool  and position the cursor over the object anchor point that you want to convert.

    • To convert a corner point to a smooth point, drag a direction point out of the corner point.

    • To convert a smooth point to a corner point without direction lines, click the smooth point.

    • To convert a corner point without direction lines to a corner point with independent direction lines, first drag a direction point out of a corner point (making it a smooth point with direction lines). Release the mouse button, and then drag either direction point.

    • To convert a smooth point to a corner point with independent direction lines, drag either direction point.
      Note: When you position Pen Tool over an object anchor point, pressing the Alt key (Windows) or the Option key (Mac OS) temporarily changes Pen Tool into Convert Anchor Point Tool.

Change the curve of a segment

  1. Select the path you want to modify.
  2. Select Pen Tool and drag a segment to change its curve.
    Note: Dragging a segment changes the curve by adjusting the direction lines at each end of the segment by the same amount. This technique can change a straight segment into a curved one.

Set options for open and closed Bezier shapes

 Select a line or an open or closed Bezier shape, and in the Title Properties panel, specify any of the following options:
Line Width
Specifies the path width, in pixels.

Cap Type
Specifies the type of cap placed at the end of the paths. The Butt option caps paths with square ends. The Round option caps paths with semicircular ends. The Square option caps paths with square ends that extend half the line width beyond the end of the line. This option makes the weight of the line extend equally in all directions around the line.

Join Type
Specifies how the ends of adjoining path segments are joined. The Miter option joins path segments using pointed corners. The Round option joins path segments using rounded corners. The Bevel option joins path segments using squared corners.

Miter Limit
Specifies the point at which the join type switches from mitered (pointed) to bevel (square). The default miter limit is 4, which means that the join type switches from miter to bevel when the length of the point is four times the stroke weight. A miter limit of 1 results in a bevel join.
Note: You can apply the options described above to shapes you create with Pen Tool or Line tool. You can apply an inner or outer stroke to any text or graphic object.