Curves

Arc

Select the Arc tool from the Curves drop-down on the ribbon or press the A key.

Click to place the start-point (shown with an open square). Move and click to place the end-point (solid circle) and again to establish the offset of the arc (open circle). You can use the Snap Function and Constraint Function for any points.

To enter specific coordinates, press the Tab key to shift focus to the dialog. Enter the x-coordinate of your start point. Press Tab again and enter the y-coordinate of your start point. Press Tab and enter the x and y-coordinates of the end-point and mid-point. Press Enter or click the Create button after the last point is entered to create the arc. The arc can be manipulated by dragging the middle point with the mouse until you have the desired shape.

You can assign any marking, cutting, or creasing tool to an arc.

Arc Sweep

Select the Arc Sweep tool from the Curves drop-down on the ribbon or press the S key.

Click to place the arc center. Now click for the first point on the radius and then click for the end of the arc sweep. You can use the Snap Function for any points.

To enter specific coordinates, press the Tab key to shift focus to the dialog. Enter the x-coordinate of your center point. Press Tab again and enter the y-coordinate of your center point. Press Tab and enter the x and y-coordinates of the first radius point. Now enter the Sweep Angle. Note whether the direction Clockwise or Counter Clockwise. Press Enter or click the Create button to create the arc.

You can assign any marking, cutting, or creasing tool to an arc sweep.

Bezier

A Bezier curve is a mathematically smooth curve having anchor points and handles. At the anchor points, the curve is always tangent to the line between the anchor and the handle. The shape of the curve can be altered by moving the anchor points or handles. The longer the handle, the more effect it has on the curve shape.

Select the Bezier tool from the Curves drop-down on the ribbon or press the B key.

Click to place the start-point (open square), all mid-points (open circles), and the end-point (solid circle). You will see a polyline until you enter the fourth point because a Bezier can’t be built with fewer than four points. Right-click to signal that all points have been entered. You can use the Snap Function and Constraint Function for any of the points.

To enter specific coordinates, press the Tab key to shift focus to the dialog. Enter the x-coordinate of your start point. Press Tab again and enter the y-coordinate of your start point. Press Tab and enter the coordinates of specific mid-points and the end-point. Press Enter or click the Create button after the last point to create the Bezier curve. The start-point coordinate is always an Absolute coordinate. The next points can be entered in Absolute coordinates (x,y), Delta coordinates (delta x, delta y from the last point entered), or Polar coordinates (length, angle from the last point entered). Press A for absolute, D for delta, and P for polar.

You can assign any marking, cutting, or creasing tool to a Bezier curve.

Spline

A spline is a smooth (3rd order) curve passing through a series of anchor points. The shape of the curve can be altered by moving the anchor points.

Select the Spline tool from the Curves drop-down on the ribbon or press the E key.

Click to place the start-point (open square), all mid-points (open circles), and the end-point (solid circle). You will see a polyline until you enter the fourth point because a Spline can’t be built with fewer than four points. Right-click to signal that all points have been entered. You can use the Snap Function and Constraint Function for any points.

To enter specific coordinates, press the Tab key to shift focus to the dialog. Enter the x-coordinate of your start point. Press Tab again and enter the y-coordinate of your start point. Press Tab and enter the coordinates of specific mid-points and the end-point. Press Enter or click the Create button after the last point to create the spline curve. The start-point coordinate is always an Absolute coordinate. The next points can be entered in Absolute coordinates (x,y), Delta coordinates (delta x, delta y from the last point entered), or Polar coordinates (length, angle from the last point entered). Press A for absolute, D for delta, and P for polar.

You can assign any marking, cutting, or creasing tool to a Spline curve.