UserManual:Tools:Curves/en

WORKING WITH CURVES
Some lines need to curve, and in this section, we deal only with curves of various types. To get your curve right, you can click on the line and drag it around to get close to what you require and there are 'handles' that you can click and drag around until you get the right shape that you're looking for, or you can use exact degrees. Once again, there are tips at the bottom left.

Curves:
Simple Curve This is a curve between 2 points. Place your cursor over the label of the point where you’d like your curve to start, click, place your cursor over the label of the end point and click. The label will turn green while your cursor is over it. When the cursor is over the line, it gets a very fine black edge. When the cursor is over the handle point, the circle is 'fat' and you can drag the handle around until you have your desired position. Once you have the curve in place, on the right side, you can change the properties of the line, among other things.

Segmenting a simple curve This tool will place a point at the position that you require. Click on the curve, enter your formula and click on 'Apply' to view or 'Ok' to accept. No matter how you move the handles, the curve will always intersect with this point and the point will move as you move the handles.

Curve tool which uses point as control handle This tool uses 4 points to create a curve. So click on the 4 points in order of the direction you wish to go and a perfectly even curve will be created for you. The only way to edit this, is to delete the curve and create a new one using other points. You may only change the line colour. Note: As with all lines and curves, it will reshape itself if the measurements change.

Curved path Select all the points along the curve that you wish to create, press 'Enter' to end selecting and use the handles to tweak the curve to suit you. You need to select 3 or more points.

Segment a curved path Select the curve that you wish to segment, a formula box will pop up and you can select the exact segment you wish to place a point in and complete the formula.

Tool for creating curves This is a great tool for creating full circle skirts but it has many other uses. Click on 7 or more points that you wish to use to create your curve and press 'Enter' when done. In the 1st image below, I have selected a number of points at random, just to show what it does. In the 2nd image, I have used it in the armhole (perhaps not the best place to use it). And in the 3rd image, I have used it to create the waist of a full circle skirt.

Point intersection curves Select the 1st curve and then the 2nd curve. A point will be placed at the place where the 2 curves intersect.

Point intersect curve and axis Select the curve. Click 1st axis point and then the next. A point will be placed where the curve and axis line intersect, with a line from the 1st axis point to the new point.

Note: I have mostly used the armhole curve to demonstrate these curves, so that one can identify with the use and view the differences created by using the different curve tools. For instance, the 'Tool for creating curves' wouldn't be the ideal tool to use at the armhole.

Fabrice has created a pattern illustrating the use of various points, lines and curves that you may download for further instruction: http://forum.valentina-project.org/uploads/default/original/1X/ec23f8156c75587d9f8e5177caf94e81164f8ceb.val