What does the node tool do?

[KevinTheBright]

There isn't a help item or tutorial that I can find. Anyone have a short description of its functionality?

Thanks, Kevin

[MEB]

Hi Kevin,

The Node Tool allows you to edit vector lines and shapes manipulating their nodes directly. In this video (at 1m:43s) you can see it being used to adjust the bottom of the H letter (almost at the end of the clip) of the Honey word.

 

You can use this tool directly on any shape or path you draw with the Pen Tool. Just select the path, change to the Node Tool, select the nodes you want to adjust and drag the control handles (on curves) or simply drag the path's segment itself to position it as you want and adjust the node control handles if needed.

 

For shapes and text, you must convert them into curves first (there's a button on the context toolbar for that) and only then manipulate the nodes directly. After you convert a text object or a shape to curves you are no longer able to edit the text or tweak shapes properties/parameters (like changing the number of points of the star shape for example). They are now simply paths (geometry) despite still looking like text or a specific shape.

 

For more information please check:

- Affinity Designer Help ▸ Workspace ▸ Tools ▸ Design Tools ▸ Node Tool

- Affinity Designer Help ▸ Drawing lines and shapes ▸ Edit vector lines and shapes

 

You can also check the Drawing Lines and Shapes section on this link for more video-tutorials on drawing/editing paths/shapes.