Vector Object Editing

Vector Object Editing mode lets you change a curve's geometry: anchor positions, segment shape, and bezier handles.
In this mode, you edit the path itself, not standard object transforms.

Entering the Mode

• Select a vector object with the Select tool.
• Double-click the curve.

This activates geometry editing for the selected vector.

Exiting the Mode

• Press Escape.
• Or switch to another editing context.

What Changes in This Mode

• The normal transform bounding box is disabled for the object.
• Anchor, segment, and handle editing becomes available.
• Cursor behavior does not switch to resize/rotate at bbox corners.

Basic Actions

Move an Anchor

• Drag an anchor point.
• Connected segments and path shape update live in preview.

Edit a Bezier Handle

• Drag a handle on the anchor.
• By default, behavior follows the anchor's current handle composition.

Handle Drag Modifiers

Action	Mac	Windows / Linux
Continuous (Smooth / Continuous)	Cmd + drag	Ctrl + drag
Corner (Independent handles)	Option + drag	Alt + drag
Direction lock (length only)	Shift + drag	Shift + drag

Continuous: Cmd/Ctrl + drag

• The active handle is constrained to the same line as the sister handle.
• Only the active handle length changes.
• Use this for smooth transitions without a corner break.

Corner: Option/Alt + drag

• The active handle is edited independently.
• The sister handle stays in place.
• Use this to create a sharp corner transition.

Direction Lock: Shift + drag

For anchors with Continuous or Symmetric composition:

• handle direction is locked to the value from before the current drag started;
• dragging changes only handle length (or lengths, depending on composition).

Bend Override by Dragging an Anchor

When you drag an anchor while holding Cmd/Ctrl, the editor selects the target handle by segment attachment direction at that anchor (not by nearest neighbor-point distance).
This also works on multi-branch vector-web anchors: once resolved, the target handle stays locked for the current drag.

Using the Pen Tool in Edit Mode

With the Pen tool active:

• Click a segment to insert a new anchor (split segment).
• Click an open-path endpoint to resume drawing from that point.
• Option/Alt + click an anchor to delete it (when topology allows).

For path creation and closing behavior, see Pen Tool.

Practical Workflow

1. Draw a shape with the Pen tool.
2. Double-click the curve to enter Vector Object Editing mode.
3. Move anchors to refine the silhouette.
4. Drag handles:
   • with Cmd/Ctrl for smooth continuous transitions,
   • with Option/Alt for independent edits,
   • with Shift for length-only edits.
5. Press Escape to exit.