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I'm in the process of building a custom logotype, drawing each character using a combination of the shapes, the pathfinder and the pen tool and I am currently crafting the 'B' character.

I would like to know if there is a way to take any 2-point curve (a curve created from two handles) and quickly turn it into a perfect arc (i.e. where both handles are of equal length. Currently I am doing this optically: I look at each handle, try to measure its using grid view, then carefully drag out each until it looks good.

There are 2 problems with this: 1. my points do not always fall exactly on a grid intersection, so it is very hard measure properly 2. It is very, very time consuming

Using outline mode helps eliminate a lot of the screen clutter (fills, etc) so I can see better, but I do not have all the gridlines in outline mode and thus cannot make proper judgements.

Unless I am missing something, the arc tool won't help me here as I am trying to retroactively improve the evenness of my curves.

I have tried creating elipses/arcs and using them as guides but again the results are imprecise and it is time consuming.

Can anybody suggest a tool or a method by which I can more accurately and quickly equalize my curves/arcs.

Illustrator CC

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You could use a stroke, then use Object → Expand to create the lines?

Here’s a speedrun attempt at it. :)

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But, if you actually want to snap the control points of the curve to a certain place, and have them both match, you can use guides. I don't think that's going to give you a nice curve though.

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  • You can make the guide from the center of rotation outward then it will work.
    – joojaa
    Oct 28, 2014 at 12:52
  • Great answer - thanks @MarcEdwards. I'm not sure if it solves my problem though. I want to easily/efficiently make 2 control points that are pre-existing equal in length, thus making a mathematically even arc in my stroke. See the screenshot here (I've circled the handles in question in green — although they look even, they are not perfectly mathematically even). Here is another example
    – tigz
    Oct 29, 2014 at 3:53
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You can use the Anchor Point Tool (Shift+C) from the Pen Tool Drop down. If you click on the point with this tool and hold shift whilst dragging, it will give you even handles.

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