You can generate vector shapes and lines from scratch with Linearity Curve's drawing tools. These include the Pen Tool, Pencil Tool, Brush Tool, and Shape Tool. Utilizing these tools, you can draw basic geometric shapes that serve as a foundation for more intricate designs, achieved by combining and modifying different shapes.
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The Pen tool
The Pen Tool is one of the most potent tools in Linearity Curve (formerly Vectornator) or any other vector software. It allows you to create Bézier curves (also known as vector paths) that you can draw, curve, edit, and close. These curves can also be scaled infinitely. The position of the node handles determines their direction and angle.
The Pen Tool allows you to create paths as straight lines (by tapping to create points) or curves (by tapping and holding to bend the line you just made).
To activate the Pen Tool, simply tap the Pen icon in the Toolbar or press
As soon as you activate the Pen tool and start drawing on your canvas, specific options will appear at the top of the Style Tab:
- Node Types allows you to change the type of node which will determine the Bezier curves.
- Close Path allows you to easily close the path.
- Finish Path allows you to end the path you're currently drawing and start a new one.
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Changing the Node Type while drawing with the Pen Tool
The supported Node Types you can find in Linearity Curve are: Single (A), Mirrored (B), Asymmetrical (C), and Disconnected (D).
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Read more:
In Linearity Curve, there are four useful gesture combos to help you define the node type and change your path's curves while drawing with the Pen Tool. Learn how to use them in the Gestures section of this User Guide.
Finish a path
When using the the Pen Tool, to draw another separate path without having to switch tools you can simply tap the Finish Path button at the top of the Style Tab.
Alternatively, you can use a new gesture to easily end your path: simply double-tap near the end node (in red) of your current path to finish it, or press the
Continue drawing an open path
If you have an open path, you can use the Pen Tool to continuing your path. To do so, simply select the open path and then switch to the Pen Tool. The path will shows up its anchor points. Now tap anywhere on the canvas to create the next point of your path.
The path will be extended directly from the End Node (in red) to the new point that you just created. If the next point overlaps the other endpoint, this will close the path.
Create straight paths with the Pen tool
While using the pen Tool, tap on the canvas to add a new anchor point (or node). Multiple taps will create a straight path with “sharp” corners. There will be no handles when selecting the anchor point using the Node Tool.
To help you create a horizontal/ vertical path, you can hold a finger on your canvas or activate the Snap to Grid feature from Quick Settings.
Create curved paths
Tap and drag your finger (or Pencil) on the canvas to add a corner node while drawing with the Pen tool. This creates asymmetrical direction handles , as seen highlighted at the top of the Style Tab where the Content-Aware panel for the different Node Types options appears, and you will obtain curved edges.
The Pencil Tool
The Pencil Tool is used to draw freeform paths. To activate the Pencil Tool, tap the Pencil in the Toolbar or press
As soon as you have activated the Pencil Tool, a slider appears to the right of the Toolbar with which you can control the smoothness (A) of your path. Additionally, the Smoothing Slider can be found on the right side of your screen in the Shape Section of the Inspector (B). You can use your Apple Pencil or finger to adjust the smoothness level or enter a value with your keyboard.
Then, use your cursor (Mac), Stylus (iPad), or finger (iPad or iPhone) to draw on your Artboard, just as you would with a pencil on paper.
When you start drawing with the Pencil Tool, you'll create a vector path that follows the path of your hand. It can follow it precisely or with a more smoothed outline, depending on the smoothness you set.
How to change the Pencil smoothness
At the right of the Pencil Tool, you’ll find a slider to control the Pencil Smoothness (A - image above)
If you want your path to be exactly as you draw it, you can set the value to 0%. Setting the value higher will increase the level of smoothing that the Pencil Tool will apply to the line you draw. When you’ve finished drawing, Linearity Curve (formerly Vectornator) will smooth the curve and simplify the path you’ve just created.
The smoothness of your path can also be adjusted after drawing (B). Select your path, and the smoothness slider will appear inside the Style Tab.
If you choose this option, the smoothing operation will be almost imperceptible, so we recommend you select your path with the Node Tool to see better how the anchor points will be affected by smoothing the path. (The smoothing operation removes Nodes from your path).
How to create shapes with the Pencil Tool
The Pencil Tool allows you also to create shapes and fill them with a color or gradient. To do that, you need to toggle the Fill Color on.
Note:
Remember to close your shape to combine it using Boolean operations.
Video Recap
Watch the video below for a complete overview of how the Pencil Tool works in Linearity Curve when working on your iPad. Especially if you're an illustrator who loves the freedom of a free-hand tool, the Pencil Tool is exactly what you're looking for.
The Brush Tool
The Brush Tool lets you quickly draw freeform paths with variable widths.
There are two ways you can use brushes in Linearity Curve. You can draw them with the Brush Tool or you can apply them to an existing path.
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To draw a brush stroke, simply tap the Brush icon in the Toolbar to select it, or press
Once you select the Brush Tool, the Brush Options (1) will appear below the Stroke Section in the Style Tab. You can use these settings to create new brushes, use Preset Brushes (2), and change the Brush Profile (3).
Note:
⚠️ Brush strokes are deselected after drawing, which prevents you from making unwanted changes. Changing your brush's color or any other property (such as width, opacity, blur, etc.) will affect only the next path you draw with the Brush Tool.
How to change the Stroke width
To the right of the Brush Tool, you’ll find a slider which allows you to change the width of your brush. A lower value will make your brush thinner, while a higher value makes it wider. The same slider, labeled Stroke Width, can be found in the Stroke section of the Inspector.
Something important to consider is that brush strokes can have variable widths at different points along the path, so the stroke width value refers to the maximum width of the brush.
The Rectangle Tool
The Shape Tool allows you to create pre-made geometric shapes, such as rectangles, circles, polygons, or straight lines, but also stars and spirals.
Located inside the Toolbar (on the left side of the Canvas), the Shape Tool is a variable tool that gives you access to different pre-made shapes (2). You can access the Shapes by tapping the ... (3 dots) button (1).
The Oval Tool
To add any kind of pre-made shape onto the canvas, hold and drag anywhere on the Canvas while you have the Shape Tool selected.
To draw a circle hold a second finger on the canvas or the
To draw rectangles, circles, lines and spirals, position your Pencil (or finger) where you want the top left corner of your shape. While, polygons and stars will be automatically drawn from the center of your shape.
The Line Tool
To draw a straight line in Curve, you can use the Line Tool. Tap the Line icon in the Toolbar or pressing the
Hold a second finger on the canvas or the ⇧ button to snap your line horizontally, vertically, or in 45° intervals.
The Star Tool
Creating stars in Curve can be easily done by using the Star Tool . To activate it, simply tap the Shape Icon inside the Toolbar (8th from the top) and then select the Star. To draw a new star tap where you want the center of the star to be.
To the right of the Star Tool, you’ll find a slider that allows you to control the number of points in your star. The number displayed in the slider corresponds to the number of points.
The Spiral Tool
Creating spirals in Curve can be easily done by using the Spiral Tool. To activate it, simply tap the Spiral icon inside the Toolbar.
At the right of the Spiral you can control its decay value. The decay specifies the amount by which each wind of the spiral should decrease relative to the previous wind.
To draw a new spiral, hold and drag your Pencil anywhere on the canvas. Place your Pencil (or finger) where you want the line to begin, and then drag from bottom to up or viceversa to set its direction.
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