This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
The Ugly Anchor Point and Path
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Figure 4.3 Almost all of the anchor points in this vector ornament design are the incorrect type. Any Bézier curve that you want to transition smoothly from one side of an anchor point to the opposite side should always utilize smooth anchor points, not corner anchor points. Using the wrong type of anchor point will cause a curved shape to look pointed.
More problems: Many of the anchor point handles aren't parallel with one another and some are pulled out too far, which prevents a continuous flow through the art and makes parts of it look flat.
Some of the other anchor point handles that form the remaining Bézier curves in the design are overextended as well. Some of these problems emerge from sloppy building and lack of attention to detail, as well as not building vector art point-by-point or shape-building (that is, autotracing). It all comes down to proper craftsmanship.
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Figure 4.4 This shows the final ornament design. This graphic contains 276 anchor points that make up one path.