Closing and Opening Paths

Closing and Opening Paths

When I first started using FreeHand there were times it was absolutely vital to close an open path. For instance, you couldn't fill an object with a color unless it was a clo 828f522i sed path. These days it isn't necessary to close a path to see its fill. However, you still may want to close the opening between the end-points of a path.

To close a previously drawn path:

Use the Pointer tool to drag one of the endpoints onto the other. As soon as the points touch, the path closes

Figure 20. To close a previously drawn path, drag one of the endpoints over the other.

TIP

If Snap to Point is turned on, you see a small square next to the cursor when you are close enough to release the mouse button.

To open or close a path using the Object Inspector:

Select the path using the Pointer tool.

Click the checkbox next to the word Closed in the Object inspector . A line segment is extended between the endpoints of the path

Figure 21. A checkmark next to Closed in the Object Inspector indicates a closed path.

Figure 22. Closing an open path (top) adds a segment between the two endpoints (bottom).