Convert Anchor Point

What we have to do is to draw the object with curves, so that it looks a bit more like a heart.

Select the “Convert Anchor Point” tool (1) and click the upper left anchor point. Hold the mouse button and drag it from left to right (2).

You notice that two levers appear when you click and drag.

The right lever determines the slope of the line between the anchor points b and c.

As you drag the right handle to the right, the left level is pulled in the opposite direction automatically, which in turn will determine the curve between anchor point a and anchor point b.

We do the same for the upper right anchor point.

Note that the amount that you drag the handle for both anchors should be identical.

As I have the grid displayed, you can easily see the number of diamonds to see how far you’ve dragged.

We continue with the anchor point to the right.
Thus, select the “convert anchor point” tool, click the anchor point and drag the handle down.
About the same distance as the upper anchor points (five blocks)

Now do the same for the left anchor point (1). Only now, you have to drag the lever up (2).
Why up now?
Well, the line will follow the direction of the handle, in other words, drag the handle down, then the line will go down and then it will only choose the direction of the next anchor point.

The object starts to look pretty much as a heart, I just want to add a little “swing” to both sides of the heart. I do not know how else to say.

 

For this, I click the lower anchor point with the “convert anchor point” tool and drag the handle down and slightly to the left (1). This gives a little “swing” to the line (2).
Release the mouse button when you are satisfied.

Now we need the left edge of the heart symmetrical with the right.

Now we need the left edge of the heart symmetrical with the right.

And this is what’s so special about the “convert anchor point” tool. You can move both levers separately. You can not do that with the “Direct Selection” tool.

Move a lever with this tool, it will automatically adjust the second lever.

Tip!

If you see the curve of a line drawn is completely wrong, click the anchor point with the “convert anchor point” tool and you start over again.

No, nott for all anchor points.

Just the one you need with the “convert anchor point” tool.

The only thing left to do now is to add color to the heart.

In the next lesson, I will teach you how to draw an image with the “Pen” tool.

Awesome!
You've completed Lesson 17
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