Pen tool and vector networks

Vector network

Motiff's vector network is different from most tools. Most pen tools draw paths in a single direction and always tend to reconnect to the starting point to complete the closure. Motiff's vector network can branch or connect in different directions, allowing you to draw complex shapes without creating separate path layers.

The following scenarios can use the vector network to draw the desired shape naturally.

Create vector network

You can press the shortcut key P or click in the toolbar to start drawing on the canvas.

You can also use basic shapes to create the shape you want. Click on the shape under in the toolbar or use the specific shape's shortcut key to create a shape on the canvas.

You can hold down the modifier key to create shapes in a customized way:

• Hold Shift while creating a shape to lock the aspect ratio of the shape to 1:1.
• Hold ⌥ Option / Alt while creating a shape to scale it relative to the center instead of the top left corner.

Edit vector network

Vector editing mode

In vector editing mode, you can adjust individual anchor points, paths, or the entire vector network. Moreover, you can adjust existing anchor points and the paths between them, or use the pen tool to draw new anchor points.

To enter vector editing mode:

• Double-click the vector network.
• After selecting the vector network, press Return / Enter .
• After selecting the vector network, click in the toolbar.

To exit vector editing mode:

• Double-click the vector network again.
• Double-click an empty area on the canvas.
• Click Done in the toolbar.
• Press Return / Enter / Escape .

In this mode, the toolbar will be replaced with all the vector editing tools you need.

Sketch on the canvas with the pen tool

Press P or click in the toolbar to start drawing.

• Click anywhere on the canvas to create an anchor point. Continuous clicks will create multiple anchor points with straight lines connecting the paths between them.
• Click and drag anywhere on the canvas to create an anchor point with the Bézier handle. The path connected to the anchor point will be a curve.

Move

Press V or click to select and move specified anchor points, paths, or closed area fills within the vector network.

• You can directly drag the selected content on the canvas.
• For more precise adjustments, use the keyboard arrow keys ↑ ↓ ← ← .
• Hold Shift while moving will snap to horizontal or vertical directions, as well as at the angle of 45 degrees.

Delete

Different deletion methods can achieve different effects:

• Press Delete / Backspace to delete the selected content.
• Press Shift + Delete / Backspace to delete the selected anchor point and repair the path.
• Under the pen tool, press ⌥ Option / Alt and hover over the anchor point, the cursor will change to . If you click on the anchor point at this time, you will delete the anchor point and repair the path.

Copy

Different copy methods can achieve different effects:

• Use shortcut keys to directly copy and paste the selected content:
  • macOS: ⌘ Command + C / V or ⌘ Command + D .
  • Windows: Ctrl + C / V or Ctrl + D .
• Hold ⌥ Option / Alt and drag the selected content to copy and move it to the desired location.

Flatten

Drag the selected anchor or path to exactly correspond to the other anchor or path locations. These overlapping areas will be automatically flattened into one. Once this combination is complete, you will no longer be able to drag them apart.

Bézier curves

In vector editing mode, the anchor points connecting Bézier curves (later referred to as curves) have Bézier handles, and the shape of the curve connected to the anchor point can be controlled by adjusting the length and angle of the Bézier handles.

Click in the toolbar to switch or hold ⌘ Command / Ctrl to temporarily switch to the Bend tool, then you can perform the following actions:

• Click on the anchor point connecting the straight line to add Bézier handles and turn the straight line into a curve.
• Drag the anchor point or path to turn the straight line into a curve or adjust the shape of the curve.
• Click on the anchor point that connects the curve or directly click on the Bézier handle to delete the handle and turn the curve into a straight line.

Fill

You can use the Paint bucket tool to add or delete fills to closed areas:

1. 1.Select the vector network to enter vector editing mode.
2. 2.Click in the toolbar or press B to switch to the Paint bucket tool.
3. 3.Click on the closed area in the vector network to add a fill, and click again to delete the fill.

Corner radius

You can set corner radius properties for anchor points in the Design panel.

When you select the entire vector network, the property will be applied to all anchor points. If you want to set the style for a specific anchor point individually, select the specified anchor point in vector editing mode.

End point styles

You can set styles for the end points of open paths.

Motiff will display the end point style properties in different locations depending on the type of vector network selected:

• Vector networks with two end points will be displayed in the Design panel. You can set the style of the start and end points separately.

• Vector networks with one or more than two end points will be displayed in Advanced stroke modal.

When you select the entire vector network, the style will apply to all end points. If you want to edit the style of a specific end point individually, you can select the specified end point in vector editing mode.

Join styles

You can set Join styles for nodes.

When you select the entire vector network, the style will apply to all nodes. If you want to set the style for a specific join individually, you can select the specified join in vector editing mode.