5 replies to this topic

[Rob]

Hi all,

I just switched from FH10 to AI10 over the past couple of months. The only thing I miss from FH was the bezier tool that would automatically curve a line when digitizing if holding Alt. Digitizing in AI and pulling out handles from each node is insane. There must be a similar tool or hot key in AI, b/c as far as I can tell it has a lot more depth than FH. Anyone know what it is?

thnx,

rob

[Hans van der Maarel]

You could use the pencil tool, but that's more of a Photoshop-way of doing it. You have to keep the mouse button pressed down and drag the mouse along the path you want to digitize. This will automatically produce a Bezier curve.

[Rob]

I haven't worked with that tool before, usually just use the pen. kinda gets to what I'm looking for, but seems like it would be much smoother using it with a graphics tablet, which I currently don't have.

thanks hans.

[Hans van der Maarel]

A small graphics tablet isn't too expensive. I picked up a Wacom one, about 6x4 inch, for about $100 last weekend. Works like a charm in Photoshop and any other place where you need fluid motions. Since I'm left-handed, but mouse right-handed, I can't do that with my right hand. I simply lack the coordination on that side.

[Martin Gamache]

but seems like it would be much smoother using it with a graphics tablet

The pencil tool has some settings that control how faithful it is to what you draw and how much smoothing of your curves it does. It also lets you redraw segments seamlessly. Those settings might help if you have to work with a mouse. Double click on the tool to acces them.

[Rick Dey]

Digitizing using points and then Object>Path>Simplify can be used to convert to bezier curves. Play with the curve precision to smooth things out.