Working with nodes

Nodes are square points on line and curve objects. You can change the shape of a line or curve object by dragging one or more of its nodes.

Nodes have zero, one, or two control arms. The length and direction of the control arms determine the shape of the contour at the node. The straight or curved line between two nodes is a line segment. There are four types of nodes: symmetrical, asymmetrical, cusp, and smooth.

You can use symmetrical nodes to create smooth, flowing curves on either side of a node. Any adjustments to one control arm are mirrored by the other.

You can use asymmetrical nodes to obtain a different amount of curve on each side of the node, but keep a smooth flow through the node. You can adjust the length of each control arm, but the not the direction.

You can use cusp nodes to create extreme changes in direction. You can adjust the length and direction of each control arm independently.

You can use smooth nodes to create a smooth transition between straight and curved line segments.

You can select a node to edit, or you can move it. Moving a node alters the shape of a vector object. If an object has more than one contour, you can move all of its nodes. You can also move the path to move the entire object. You can edit the contour of a vector object by adding, merging, or deleting nodes anywhere along a path.

You can merge nodes on a contour while retaining the line segments on each side. The line segments are combined into one line segment between remaining nodes. If the contour is curved at the node, Corel PaintShop Pro attempts to retain the curve.

You can also delete a node to remove the node and the line segments on each side.

To select a node Back to Top

Edit workspace 

 

Hold down Shift, and click the nodes.
Hold down Shift, and press [ or ].
Hold down Shift, and click the node.

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To view the selected node more easily, click the Visibility icon on the Layers palette next to the vector object you are working on. This hides the fill and outline for the object. For more information about showing and hiding layers, see Viewing layers.

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Start and end nodes are easy to find. The cursor displays "START" or "END" when you hold it over the node. If the shape is closed, the cursor displays "CLOSE."

To move a node Back to Top

Edit workspace 

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You can constrain a node’s line segments to 45-degree increments by holding down Shift as you drag.

To add a node on a contour Back to Top

Edit workspace 

To add a new start or end node Back to Top

Edit workspace 

To merge one or more nodes Back to Top

Edit workspace 

To transform nodes Back to Top

Edit workspace 

To adjust a curve using a node’s control arms Back to Top

Edit workspace 

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To constrain the control arms to fixed angles (45-degree increments), hold down Shift as you drag.

To straighten a curve between two nodes Back to Top

Edit workspace 

To delete a node Back to Top

Edit workspace 

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If you delete a node in the middle of an open contour, the vector object becomes two separate contours. If you delete a node in a closed contour, the contour opens.


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