Node Tool

The Node Tool allows you to create, select, move, and edit Bézier Nodes.

All lines or shapes in a vector-based design platform are made up of points connected by paths, which create the outlines of shapes. In Vectornator, it’s very easy to select and edit these points to modify and polish your design. By selecting the Node Tool, you will be able to clearly see these points, also known as Bézier Nodes.

Color-Coded Bézier Nodes

Beginning with the 4.2 update, Vectornator's Bézier Nodes are now highlighted using different colors. This new color-coding system makes it easier to understand what’s going on with your vector paths.

Bezier Nodes are now color-coded:

• Green Node = The path's Start Point
• Blue Node = The path's standard nodes
• Red Node = The path's End Point

The adjustment handles of each node will have the same color when the node is selected.

Node Types

There are four different Bézier Node Types in Vectornator:

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A – Single | It has no handles and allows you to create straight paths. You can switch back to a Single Node anytime by simply double-tapping on the node.

B – Mirrored | It creates curved paths which has two mirrored handles. This means that anytime you move one handle, the other does exactly the same.

C – Asymmetric |It creates curved paths that have different distances from the bézier node, but share the same angle.

D – Disconnected | It creates paths with handles completely independent of each other.

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To change the node's type, activate the Node Tool, then tap or drag to select the nodes you want to change. As soon as you select a node, the Node Types panel will appear at the top of the Style Tab. Choose one of the four Node Types to change your selected node to that type.

Pro Tip – To change the Node Type of a selected node, there are a few gestures and shortcuts that can speed up your workflow while drawing with the Pen Tool.

Content-Aware Options

Anytime you select a node using the Node Tool, the Content-Aware Options will appear at the top of the Style Tab. These options allow you to change the Node Type (1), and easily Close a Path (2).

Show Nodes & Node Handles

To see the nodes that compose your path and show the handles of those nodes, activate the Node Tool and select your desired node by dragging an area on your canvas that contains those points, or simply tap on each point individually by activating the Multi Select Mode.

This option displays the node handles immediately and helps you figure out what the node types are. You can immediately see the type at the top of the Inspector. If you see no handles, it means that the point is Single Type.

⚠️ You can only display the handles of one path at once.

Selecting Nodes

The Node Tool is the go-to tool for selecting all the nodes that compose your vector path. It's the second tool you find in the Toolbar. To activate it, simply tap on it.

Selecting One Node

To select one single point, simply tap on it. Now you can move it around, and change its type.

Selecting Multiple Nodes

To select more than one point at the same time, you need to activate the Multi Select Mode by tapping the first button at the right of the Node Tool.

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Since our latest update, you can select multiple nodes from multiple elements with the Multi Select Mode.

Adding Bézier Nodes

To add a new point to your path, tap any space between two nodes directly on the vector path.

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Read more: Editing Path in Vectornator ➞

Editing Nodes

When using the Node Tool, you can easily change the node type by tapping the buttons in the Content-Aware Options at the top of the Style Tab.

If you want to switch the node type from Asymmetrical (C) to Single (A) or vice-versa, you can double-tap on any node on your path. This action will break the handles of the double-tapped node.

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Since our latest update, you can edit multiple nodes from multiple elements (including compound paths) simultaneously, speeding up your workflow significantly.

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Open / Close a Path

While in the Node Tool, you can easily open a shape by simply tapping on the button Open Path inside the Content Aware Options.

Pro Tip – Thanks to the Nodes Color System, when you select any shape with the Node Tool you know exactly where it will open or close when tapping the Open / Close Path button.

Video Recap | The Node Tool

All lines, shapes, and objects in vector design are made up of points connected by paths. The Node Tool allows you to select these individual points. This gives you the power to create, select, move, and edit Bézier nodes infinitely.

This video tells you all about the basic Node Tool Functions, Nodes Colors, the different types of Nodes and then, how to Add, Edit and Delete Nodes in the Vectornator iPad App.