TechNote (Archived)

What's the Difference Between the Bezigon Tool and the Pen Tool?

A commonly asked question
What is the difference between the Pen tool and the Bezigon tool?

Provided by the late Tony Roame
These tools have the same basic function. They focus on different features of FreeHand's path-drawing capabilities, and which tool you use depends on the drawing style you prefer.

The Bezigon tool always places points with "automatic" curve handles. You control the type of point being placed by holding down different modifier keys (Option, Control). The curve handles (and also the path shape) change as you place the next point. If you go back to edit the path by dragging a point, the curve handles will automatically adjust to get what FreeHand considers "the best" curve. This may or may not be exactly what you are looking for. However, as always, you can edit the path as you please once it is drawn.

With practice, you can accurately predict how curve handles will be placed with the Bezigon tool.

The pen tool allows more complete control over curve handles at the time the point is placed. Place curve points with the pen tool by clicking and dragging. While still holding the mouse button down, you can hold a modifier key to get even more control: holding the option key down locks the position of the "second" curve handle and allows you to independently position the "first" curve handle. Holding the command key down locks both curve handles and causes the point to float with the mouse movement, allowing you to reposition the point without selecting a different tool and interrupting your concentration.

Note:These Pen tool features make FreeHand's Pen tool the most elegant and refined tool of any vector drawing program currently available. With practice, you can draw virtually any path correctly the first time, without going back to edit curve handles or alter points.