Troubleshooting Bezier Curve Handles in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop

If you are working with Bezier curves in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, or Photoshop, you may have faced issues where the handles do not appear when you hover over or click and drag anchor points. This guide will walk you through how to get the handles to show up and troubleshoot common issues, ensuring your creative workflow runs smoothly.

Adobe Illustrator

When using the Pen Tool in Adobe Illustrator, it is essential to have a good understanding of how to manipulate anchor points and handles to create smooth curves.

Select the Pen Tool

To draw a curve, first, select the Pen Tool. Click to create anchor points and then click and drag to create handles. Ensure you hold down the mouse button while dragging to create a curve.

Show Handles

If the handles are not appearing, try the following:

Make sure you are in Preview Mode:

Select the anchor point with the Direct Selection Tool:

Use the Direct Selection Tool (A). If the handles do not show, try clicking on the anchor point again to ensure it is selected.

Convert Anchor Points

If you have created a straight line instead of a curve, you can use the Convert Anchor Point Tool:

Select the anchor point:

Use the Pen tool to click on the anchor point and drag out the handles.

Adobe InDesign

In InDesign, the process is quite similar to Illustrator:

Select the Pen Tool

Use the Pen tool to create paths. Click and drag to create curves.

Direct Selection Tool

Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to click on an anchor point to reveal the handles. Ensure the anchor point is selected properly if the handles are not visible.

Convert Anchor Points

If you have straight lines, you can use the Direct Selection Tool to:

Select the anchor point and drag to create handles:

Adobe Photoshop

In Photoshop, the Pen tool works similarly to Illustrator.

Select the Pen Tool

With the Pen tool selected, click and drag to create curves.

DIRECT Selection Tool

Switch to the Path Selection Tool or Direct Selection Tool:

These tools allow you to select anchor points. The handles should appear when you click on an anchor point.

Adjust Handles:

If you end up with straight lines, use the Direct Selection Tool to select the anchor point and drag the handles to create a curve.

General Tips

To ensure your curves are smooth:

Zoom In:

Sometimes being zoomed out can make it difficult to see the handles. Zooming in provides a better view.

Check Layers:

Ensure that the layer you’re working on is visible and not locked.

Update Software:

Occasionally, software bugs can affect functionality. Ensure that your Adobe applications are up to date.

If you follow these steps and still have issues, consider resetting the preferences for the respective application. This can sometimes resolve strange behavior and ensure everything operates as expected.

Conclusion

Mastering Bezier curves in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop can enhance your design skills significantly. By following this guide, you can troubleshoot common issues related to curve handles and achieve the professional results you desire.