> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://scenegroup.gitbook.io/cavalry/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://scenegroup.gitbook.io/cavalry/user-interface/menus/tool-menu/points-tool.md).

# Edit Shape tool

Select and manipulate points on editable Shapes.

{% hint style="warning" %}
The Edit Shapes tool only works with **editable Shapes**. To make an editable Shape either check the **Make Editable Primitives** option when using the [Rectangle](/cavalry/user-interface/menus/tool-menu/rectangle-tool.md)/ [Ellipse](/cavalry/user-interface/menus/tool-menu/ellipse-tool.md)/ [Polygon](/cavalry/user-interface/menus/tool-menu/polygon-tool.md)/ [Star](/cavalry/user-interface/menus/tool-menu/star-tool.md) Tools or use the **Make Editable** command from the [Edit](/cavalry/user-interface/menus/edit-menu.md) menu (`cmd/ctrl + e`). The [Pen](/cavalry/user-interface/menus/tool-menu/pen-tool.md), [Pencil](/cavalry/user-interface/menus/tool-menu/pencil-tool.md) and [Line](/cavalry/user-interface/menus/tool-menu/line-tool.md) tools all make editable Shapes by default.
{% endhint %}

The **Edit Shape** tool can be used to manipulate points on editable Shapes.

#### Select

To select a point(s) click a shape and then either:

* `click` a point.
* `click + drag` to marquee select several points (pre selection highlighting to come).
* `cmd/ctrl + click` to add points to your selection.
* `double click` a point to select all the points on a Shape.

Clicking anywhere outside a Shape will **deselect** all points.

#### Move

To move a point simply `click + drag` one. 

#### Edit

Points can be either **corner** or **bezier** points.

To convert a point or points from corner to bezier you can use the **Shape > Convert to Bezier Point** command. To convert a point or points from bezier to corner you can use the **Shape > Convert to Corner Point** command.

A quicker way to do this is to simply `alt + click` a point (or points) to toggle between bezier and corner points (e.g. a corner will become a bezier and vice versa).

When converting from corner to bezier you can also control the length of the bezier handles by using `alt + click + drag`. This will convert a corner point to a bezier point and drag the bezier handles out until you release the mouse.

Where **bezier** points exist, bezier **handles** will appear. These handles can exist in two states:

* **Locked** - as you move a handle, the opposing handle also moves in an opposing direction.
* **Unlocked** - each handle can be moved independently of the other. 

You can use the **Lock/ Unlock Bezier Handle** commands under the **Shape** menu to convert points to either state.

Alternatively, a quicker way to do this on a point by point basis is to `alt + drag` a handle. If a bezier handle is **locked**, `alt + dragging` one side of the handle will **unlock** it. And conversely, if a bezier handle is **unlocked**, `alt + dragging` one side of the handle will **lock** it.

{% hint style="info" %}
Within a certain range, any bezier handles will appear automatically. This is intended to speed up your workflow. e.g. rather than having to click on a point first and then grabbing a handle you can just get straight to it. To give you a better visual picture of how other handles are determining the shape of your path, incoming handles from the previous/ next point will also be shown when handles or points are selected.
{% endhint %}

You can close an open path by simply dragging one end of the path onto the other. As you do, a small circle will appear in the Viewport to indicate the path will be closed.

### **Tool Settings**

**Snap Angle** - determine the angle that any movement will snap to.

**Tooltips** - show info when hovering over points.

**Transform Tool** - enable the Points Transform Tool to transform selected points.

**Close Distance** - if you drag a start point within this value of the end point the contour will be closed. Note - this value is independent of the Viewport scale.

**Tool Help** - enable viewport overlays with tips for hotkeys.

### Shortcuts

| Shortcut                   | Description                                               |
| -------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| `arrow keys`               | Move selected in 1px increments in Local Space.           |
| `alt + arrow keys`         | Move selected in 1px increments in World Space.           |
| `Shift + arrow keys`       | Move selected in 5px increments in Local Space.           |
| `alt + Shift + arrow keys` | Move selected in 5px increments in World Space.           |
| `s + click`                | Insert a new point along a path.                          |
| `alt + click`              | Convert a bezier point to a corner point (or vice versa). |