The Multi-Arc tool creates curved path segments, each arc adding three smooth anchor points to the path. Click to establish the path's starting point, the click and drag to add an arc. If you choose Free Drag, the arc will consist of three (3) points: the starting point, the second clicking point (without releasing the mouse), and the release point. Continue to click and drag to add additional arcs to the path. You can create closed paths by clicking and dragging back to the first anchor point.
While dragging, an arc can be reversed by pressing the Shift key. (Note that this may convert the previous anchor point from a smooth anchor point to a corner point.)
Pressing the Option key (Mac) or the Alt key (Windows) while dragging enables you to create straight path segments. One or more straight segments can be added to a path along with arcs.
TIP: You can continue an existing open path by selecting the path on the artboard, then clicking on an end point with the Multi-Arc tool. Arcs can then be added by click-dragging.
When you've finished creating a series of arcs, you can end an open path by selecting a different tool or by Command-clicking (Mac) or Control-clicking (Windows) away from your path.
Use the Xtream Path 2 panel to create predictable, controlled arcs:
Starting Angle
When this option is selected, the first arc will be formed from the starting point and the arc will always be touching the invisible straight line that extends in the direction of the Starting Angle. This option controls the angle of straight path segments added by pressing the Option key (Mac) or the Alt key (Windows). Each straight segment will be added at the angle indicated in the field. A value can be entered manually, selected from the pop-up menu, or changes with the up/down arrows to the left of the numeric filed. You can also click or drag within the circle to change the angle. The buttons to the right and left of the circle reverse the angle across the horizontal axis (right) or vertical axis (bottom).Length of Radius/Tangent
When set to Free Drag, you can adjust arcs or straight segment length by dragging. The Snap option constrains the arc or straight segment to multiples of the value selected. Fixed Radius/Tangent produces an arc of a specific radius or a straight segment of a specific length.Central Angle
Think of the Central Angle option as the length of the arc or that portion of a circle being created. For example, when set to 90 degrees, one-quarter of a circle is produced with each click-drag of the Multi-Arc tool. When set to 180 degrees, half-circles are created. The Free Drag option enables you to create arcs of any length. When Snap is selected, each arc will be constrained to multiples of the value selected, "snapping" to the next length as you drag. When you select Fixed Central Angle, each arc will be of the designated length.TIP: If you find the Multi-Arc tool hard to control or unpredictable, designate a fixed radius or a fixed central angle and try again. If you don't know either value, free drag while keeping an eye on the bottom of the Xtream Path 2 panel. As you drag, the radius will be shown on the left and the central angle on the right. Once you have an idea of the dimensions of the arc (or arcs) you need to create, use Undo, enter a radius or central angle, and click-drag to produce your desired arc.
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