Hi.

I've created an object, and then turned it to a path so that I can control it's shape.

However, when I begin to manipulate a node by moving one of it's handles around, the other handle moves as well, distorting the entire shape, and moving me further rather then closer to my goal. I end up having to manipulate the neighbouring nodes. This distorts the shape again, and I have to manipulate the neighbouring nodes again. This is painful.

Is there way to change this behaviour, and move handles independantly, thus creating the intended shape quickly?

Hi,

There are three ways of moving the nodes:

1. Select just one node and move it : only one node moves
2. Select several nodes (shift + click or draw a rectangle around them) and move them : all the nodes are moving together
3. Select several nodes and move them while holdin the alt key : all nodes are moving but like if the shape was elastic

Of course, seleting the nodes must be acheived using this tool:

I think what you are doing wrong it that you select several nodes in the same time.

Hi.

I'm definately selecting one node at a time, and I am using the node selection tool.

The problem I'm having isn't related to changing the position of a node. It has to do controlling the curve on one side of the node at a time.

I'd like to be able to change the curve on one side of the node, without changing the curve on the other side of the same node.

Is this possible in inkscape? I've seen it done on illustrator, and it can be done with the curves tool in GIMP.
It'd be great if I could figure out a way to do it in inkscape.

Welcome to the forum

It sounds like that node whose handles you're moving, is a smooth node. Smooth nodes are square shaped. The 2 handles move together in order to keep the path smooth at the place where that node lies. To move the handles independantly, you'll need to change it to a cusp/corner node. Using the Node tool, the buttons for this lie on the control bar, the 7th through 10th from the left. (There are also buttons for symmetric and auto-smooth nodes. The 7th and 8th are cusp/corner and smooth.) (There are also key shortcuts for these, which some people prefer, found in Help menu > Keys and Mouse Ref.) Cusp/corner nodes are diamond shaped.

By your description, it's also possible that it's already a cusp/corner node, and that you're holding Shift key. So if it's already cusp/corner, i.e. diamond shaped, and you're holding the Shift key, then just don't hold Shift while you move the node handle. Otherwise, you can change the node type, as I mentioned earlier.

Oops, bobdobbs, you posted while I was typing

Hi brynn.

Thanks for the welcome.

Changing the node to a corner node was wxactly what I need to do.

Thanks.