Editing paths and curves

Draw a path

Choose Pen / Bézier (P). Click to place corner points; click and drag to pull out curve handles. Click the first node again to close the shape, or press Enter to finish an open path.

Edit nodes

Select a path or polyline and press N (or choose Edit nodes). Drag a node to move it and drag its handles to reshape the curve. Double-click a node to switch it between smooth and corner, double-click a segment to add a node there, and press Delete to remove the selected node.

Closed or open

A shape on a cut layer should be closed — the end meets the start — so the machine cuts out a part. Open lines are fine for scoring or engraving. Use the Closed switch in Properties to close a polyline or path. If an outline almost closes, Repair paths in Check & output joins gaps up to 0.3 mm.

Convert, offset and simplify

In Advanced mode the Geometry tools section adds:

• To path — turns a rectangle, circle, polygon or text into an editable path.
• Outline text — converts text to outlines so each letter can be edited.
• Offset — grows or shrinks a closed outline by a distance in millimetres, useful for borders and clearances.
• Simplify 0.1 mm — removes redundant nodes from traced or imported outlines without changing the shape by more than 0.1 mm.