MACROMEDIA FIREWORKS 8, Use Manual

Page: 127 / 472

Drawing vector objects 127
Adjusting the shape of a straight path segment
You can lengthen, shorten, or change the position of a straight path segment by moving its
points.
To change a straight path segment:
1. Select the path with the Pointer or Subselection tool.
2. Click a point with the Subselection tool to select it.
Selected corner points appear as solid blue squares.
3. Drag the point or use the arrow keys to move the point to a new location.
Adjusting the shape of a curved path segment
You can change the shape of a vector object by dragging its point handles with the
Subselection tool. The point handles determine the degree of curvature between fixed points.
These curves are known as Bézier curves.
To edit the Bézier curve of a path segment:
1.
Select the path with the Pointer or Subselection tool.
2.
Click a curve point with the Subselection tool to select it.
A selected curve point appears as a solid blue square. The point handles extend from the
point.
3.
Drag the handles to a new location. To constrain handle movement to 45° angles, press
Shift while dragging.
The blue path preview shows where the new path will be drawn if you release the
mouse button.
Subselection pointer
Point handles
Path preview
Selected point
Path