To remove points from a path, use the Delete Anchor Point Tool. Click a selected point. Note that in doing so, you may alter the path, and then you may need to move the handles later with the Direct Selection tool or add another anchor point elsewhere to make adjustments. Refer to Figure 7-19.
Figure 7-19. Toolbars panel Delete Anchor Point Tool. Click a point to delete the point
Note If you do not want to switch tools, you can also use the Pen Tool and hover over a selected point with the pen cursor, and a minus symbol is added, then just click to remove a point. Earlier in Chapter 6, we looked at how to select paths with your Selection and Direct Selection tools.
Tip Hold down the Alt/Option key when you want to switch between the Add Anchor Point Tool and Delete Anchor Point Tool while either tool is in use.
If you don’t click directly on a point, you may get the following warning message. In this case, click OK and use your Zoom tool if you need to get closer to the point before using the Delete Anchor Point Tool. Refer to Figure 7-20.
Figure 7-20. When you click a path with the Delete Anchor Point Tool, you will get a warning message to use the tool on an anchor point of a path
Anchor Point Tool (Shift +C) Review
The Anchor Point Tool is used to convert points from straight to curved or a combination of both. This is useful after you have created a closed path and need to edit and correct the path. Refer to Figure 7-21.
Figure 7-21. Toolbars panel Anchor Point Tool
Click a straight point with the Anchor Point Tool and drag to curve the path. Refer to Figure 7-22.
Figure 7-22. Convert a point from corner to smooth with the Anchor Point Tool
Or click a curved path to cause it to become straight on both sides of the point. Refer to Figure 7-23.
Figure 7-23. Convert a point from smooth to corner with the Anchor Point Tool
If the point next to it is curved, that side may remain curved.
For a combination of straight and curved sides: After you click and drag out your curve with the Anchor Point Tool, click one of the handles to straighten that part of the path. Refer to Figure 7-24.
Figure 7-24. Create a point that is both smooth and corner with the Anchor Point Tool
Or click and drag on the handle to cause the path to remain curved but alter the direction of the curve. Refer to Figure 7-25.
Figure 7-25. Create a point that changes the path’s direction with the Anchor Point Tool
You can also use the tool to click and drag on the path itself if you need to scale part of the path. Refer to Figure 7-26.
Figure 7-26. Adjust the path with the Anchor Point Tool
Tip The Anchor Point Tool is good for untangling twisted points as well that you may have created while using the Pen Tool. Click and drag in the opposite direction to untangle. Refer to Figure 7-27.
Figure 7-27. Untangle a path with the Anchor Point Tool
Remember you can always go back to Photoshop and apply what you learned here about the pen tools to your own Photoshop projects.
Hold down the Alt/Option key when you want to switch between the Pen tool and Anchor Point Tool. You can review these notes in the file pen_practice_diagram.ai.