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I know how to use the Convert Point tool to convert smooth points to corner points and vice versa, as shown below:

enter image description here

I also know how to use the Convert Point tool to 'break' the handles, so they can be adjusted independently. However, what I can't seem to figure out is how to convert an anchor point into a corner point with just one handle, so that one adjoining segment has a curve but the other is straight (i.e. no handle).

Every example I've come across demonstrates conversions between two handles to zero handles, and vice versa.

SPECS: Adobe Photoshop 2022 on Mac

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  • You can also do the opposite just drag an existing handle so it coincides with the point. Mathematically ist just a 0 length handle.
    – joojaa
    Jan 28, 2022 at 13:32
  • @joojaa - yea but it doesn't get rid of the handle, and doing that is imprecise and annoying. It's like trying to create a smooth point by manually lining up two broken handles - you could technically do it, but why would you want to?
    – Yarin
    Jan 28, 2022 at 15:18
  • well it snaps to the point if you have point snapping on and then dissapears. Not entirely same since its way more precise. Also by the way the handle you get when you drag a wymmetrical handle is not what you really want you want to have the handles length modulated by span length, yet the engine does not do that. So if you really wanted to be precise you would numerically build snap points and put the handles there
    – joojaa
    Jan 28, 2022 at 15:42
  • "it snaps to the point if you have point snapping on and then disappears" - I couldn't get this working, even with snapping on, and the handle def didn't disappear. If I click-drag the direct selection tool on that point it will drag the handle that's on top of it. "you really want to have the handles length modulated by span length" - I don't follow this, can you explain?
    – Yarin
    Jan 28, 2022 at 17:53
  • @joojaa FYI Adobe Community Pro confirms that using the shortcuts is better than dragging handle to point.
    – Yarin
    Jan 29, 2022 at 1:12

1 Answer 1

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First of all, to do this, you must select the Convert Point tool from the TOOLBAR (you CANNOT do this by pressing ALT/OPTION while using the pen tool)!

To create a corner point with just ONE LEADING HANDLE:

  1. Convert the anchor point to a corner point with zero handles (if not one already), by clicking the point once with the Convert Point tool.
  2. Next, click and drag with the Convert Point tool while pressing ALT/OPTION.

Video example

To create a corner point with just ONE TRAILING HANDLE:

  1. Convert the anchor point to a smooth point with two handles (if not one already), by clicking and dragging on the point with the Convert Point tool.
  2. Next, click once on the point with the Convert Point tool while pressing ALT/OPTION.

Video example


(All credit for solution and video go to Nika, whoever you are ;))

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