Edit Paths

Any shape can become a path, and any path can be reshaped node by node. This section covers the Node tool, the commands in the Path menu, and the boolean operations that build one shape out of several.

Rectangles, ellipses, stars and text are not paths yet. To edit their nodes, convert them first: Path › Object to Path (also Convert to Curves / Text to Bezier Shape in the toolbar). The shape keeps its look and becomes fully editable.

Node Tool

Press N, click a path, and its nodes and handles appear.

• Select — click a node; Shift + click adds or removes nodes; drag on empty canvas draws a selection box; Ctrl + A selects all nodes of the path.
• Move — drag selected nodes; hold Shift to constrain to 90°.
• Reshape a segment — drag the segment itself; the neighbouring handles follow.
• Handles — drag a handle to change the curve on that side of the node; double-click a handle to remove it and make the node a sharp corner.
• Add a node — double-click the path where you want it.

The Node tool works in animation too: pin a state, move nodes, and the path morphs between keyframes — see Path animation.

Node Commands

With nodes selected, these live in the Path menu and in the toolbar:

Command	What it does
Add Node	inserts a node on the selected segment
Remove Node	deletes the node, keeping the path shape as close as possible
Break at Selected Points	splits the path at the selected nodes into separate segments
Make Line Corner	corner node with straight segments, no handles
Make Curve Corner	corner node with independent handles on each side
Make Smooth	handles aligned, so the curve flows through the node
Make Symmetric	handles aligned and equal in length — a balanced curve
Make Asymmetric	handles aligned but with independent lengths
Path Start	makes the selected node the first node of the path
Reverse Path	flips the node order (matters for markers, trim and motion along the path)

Path Operations

Boolean operations combine whole objects into one. Select two or more objects and choose the command from the Path menu; the shapes are processed relative to the backmost object.

Operation	Shortcut	Result
Unite	Alt + U	one shape covering everything
Subtract	Alt + S	the back object minus the front objects
Intersect	Alt + I	only where all objects overlap
Exclude	Alt + E	everything except the overlaps (transparent overlaps)
Stroke to Path	Alt + P	the stroke becomes a filled shape of its own
Object to Path	—	a primitive shape or text becomes an editable bezier path

For an interactive way to do the same on the canvas, use the Shape Builder.

Combine and Break Apart

Combine (Alt + K) joins selected paths into one compound path: the shapes stay separate sub-paths (nothing is merged), but they act as a single object — and where sub-paths overlap, the overlap is cut out (even-odd fill). Use it for letters with holes, rings, frames.

Break Apart (Shift + Alt + K) does the opposite: a compound path becomes independent paths again.

Mirror Path

Draw half a symmetrical shape and let the editor complete it:

1. Draw one half with the Pen tool, as an open path.
2. With the Node tool, select the two open end nodes.
3. Choose Path › Mirror Path.

The path is mirrored across the line between the two nodes and closed — ideal for icons, logos and anything symmetrical.

Align and Distribute Nodes

With several nodes selected, the Path menu aligns them — Left · Center · Right · Top · Middle · Bottom (to the outermost selected node or the centre) — and distributes them evenly Horizontally or Vertically. The same buttons are in the toolbar of the Node tool.

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Next

• Turn strokes into draw-on animations: Trim stroke.
• Morph one shape into another: Path animation.