How do I join 2 filled paths that are on the same layer in AD?

[kat]

 

1. How do I join 2 filled paths that are on the same layer in AD? With both filled paths on the same layer, a combine boolean operation doesn't work.

2. Whenever I draw paths, the path stops, and I've started a new path on a new layer before I realize what has happened. I then try clicking two nodes and doing "join" on the 2 paths. And "close" paths joins the existing open path and doesn't connect 2 paths.  I just like to select 2 nodes and join them there.

There must be a simple way to do this. Any a good video tutorials.

[lepr]

There are several solutions. Here's one using modifier keys to delete path segments and straighten path segments:

 

 

 

 

Edited February 9 by lepr
changed file extension of the video

[Alfred]

1 hour ago, lepr said:

There are several solutions. Here's one using modifier keys to delete path segments and straighten path segments:

It may be because I’m viewing these forums in Safari on a 7th gen iPad, but I can’t play that video. It probably doesn’t help that I don’t currently have enough free storage to update iPadOS from version 17.5.1 to version 18.3!

[lepr]

1 hour ago, Alfred said:

I can’t play that video

Sorry Alfred, I forgot to change the file extension from .m4v to .mp4 before uploading. Try refreshing the page now.

[R C-R]

@kat, a note on nomenclature: both open & closed curves can be filled (with color), but only open paths can be joined. So if your paths are closed (like in the video) you will need to open them before they can be joined into a single curve.

[Alfred]

2 hours ago, lepr said:

Sorry Alfred, I forgot to change the file extension from .m4v to .mp4 before uploading. Try refreshing the page now.

I’m afraid that still didn’t work. I suspect it’s a 4K vs 1080p thing, but never mind: I’ve watched it on a Windows machine now.

[kat]

Used @R C-R unfilled path and got it to work after click and poking 1, 2, 3, 4 repeatedly. I think the problem is when to use 1 or 2 and 3 or 4

1. Split curve after selected node/s
2. Break curve
3. Close curve
4. Join Curves

2nd problem:

Why do my paths stop and restart a new path as I draw with the pencil? For years I've been unable to draw multiple complicated paths; one or more alway breaks mid drawing. the line stops, won't continue, then starts a new 2nd line. There must be a modifier key for the pencil to continue the stopped line. Which key doesn't show in the bottom app cliff notes.

Suggestions please.

 

[lepr]

23 minutes ago, kat said:

There must be a modifier key for the pencil to continue the stopped line

Not a modifier key, but disable Auto-close and enable Sculpt and enable Keep Selected in the context toolbar.

[kat]

2 hours ago, lepr said:

Not a modifier key, but disable Auto-close and enable Sculpt and enable Keep Selected in the context toolbar.

Couldn't find disable Auto-close, enable Sculpt or enable Keep Selected in Contextual toolbar at the top.

And now AP (below) won't let me hand over the file to edit in AD. Workaround: I copy/pasted the layers into AD (above).

 

 

[R C-R]

2 hours ago, kat said:

Used @R C-R unfilled path and got it to work after click and poking 1, 2, 3, 4 repeatedly.

I do not know what you mean by that. It is not a matter of filled or unfilled, but of open or closed.

So do not perform your step 3 (close curve) until after you have done step 4 (Join curves).

[R C-R]

3 minutes ago, kat said:

Couldn't find disable Auto-close, enable Sculpt or enable Keep Selected in Contextual toolbar at the top.

You have the Pen Tool selected, not the Pencil Tool.

[lepr]

1 hour ago, kat said:

Couldn't find disable Auto-close, enable Sculpt or enable Keep Selected in Contextual toolbar at the top.

You used the word "pencil" twice, and never "pen", so I gave information about the Pencil Tool.

Using the Pen Tool to extend an existing path: cmd+click the terminal node from which you wish to resume drawing - the node will become blue to indicate it is selected -  and then proceed with drawing.

[R C-R]

44 minutes ago, lepr said:

Using the Pen Tool to extend an existing path: hold down cmd key and click on the terminal node from which you wish to resume drawing - the node will become blue to indicate it is selected -  and then proceed with drawing.

@kat, note what the status bar says when you have the Pen Tool selected. Among other things, it tells you that (on a Mac) you use the CMD (⌘) key to temporarily use the Node Tool. This is useful not just to reselect an end node but also to select one of more nodes on a curve to delete them without having to switch to the Node Tool via the Toolbar.

Once you release the CMD key, you are back to using the Pen Tool.

[lepr]

@kat in response to your latest 'confused' emoji, here is a video where I cmd+click the terminal node from which the curve is to be extended:

 

 

[kat]

@lepr You selected the layer, then switched to the pen. With pen and Command hovering at the end node you clicked the node to continue the path.

I notice that with the pen tool selected all nodes showed and the pen tool immediately turned into "pen +"  

Why wouldn't "pen +" add a node to the path?

Thank you for your patience.

 

[R C-R]

3 minutes ago, kat said:

I notice that with the pen tool selected all nodes showed and the pen tool immediately turned into "pen +"  

Watch again. Before selecting an end node via the CMD click, the Pen's icon shows a 6 point star shape, not a plus.

[kat]

What does the "pen star" do/mean?

[lepr]

21 minutes ago, kat said:

What does the "pen star" do/mean?

 

Why not look in the Help?

 

[R C-R]

1 hour ago, lepr said:

Why not look in the Help?

To be fair, one might expect this to be in the Pen Tool help topic but instead it is in the Draw Curves & Shapes one.

[lepr]

9 minutes ago, R C-R said:

To be fair, one might expect this to be in the Pen Tool help topic but instead it is in the Draw Curves & Shapes one.

There is a link to that page in the page for Pen Tool, which is how I found the list of pen pointers in less than 10 seconds.

[R C-R]

3 minutes ago, lepr said:

There is a link to that page in the page for Pen Tool, which is how I found the list of pen pointers in less than 10 seconds.

True, but there are links to six help topics there so depending on which one a user might think is most relevant, it could take more than 10 seconds to find the right one. Personally, I think a lot of users would assume Edit Curves & Shapes would be more a more likely place to find that info ... but since it is particular to the Pen Tool, i still think it should be a part of the Pen Tool topic.

[lepr]

1 minute ago, R C-R said:

True, but there are links to six help topics there so depending on which one a user might think is most relevant, it could take more than 10 seconds to find the right one.

It could take an eternity for the people who don't even try.

[R C-R]

@lepr, just look at the cursors & tell me that there is really any other logical place for that info than in the Pen Tool topic.....

[lepr]

7 hours ago, R C-R said:

@lepr, just look at the cursors & tell me that there is really any other logical place for that info than in the Pen Tool topic.....

Pen pointers appear when the Pen is in use, and there is logic to the pointers list being in the topic about using the Pen Tool, namely "Draw curves and shapes".

 

[R C-R]

8 hours ago, lepr said:

Pen pointers appear when the Pen is in use, and there is logic to the pointers list being in the topic about using the Pen Tool, namely "Draw curves and shapes".

Except  that one can also draw rectangle, star, cog, etc. shapes, as well as curves in AD with the Pencil Tool. These cursors are unique to the Pen Tool.