You’ve drawn a curve for a neckline or an armhole, and it just doesn’t look right. Maybe it’s a little too pointy, a little too flat, or weirdly lopsided on one side. Dragging it around with the Move Tool won’t fix it, because the Move Tool moves the whole shape. To get inside the shape and control its curves and corners, you need the Node Tool.
This is Episode 3 of my Affinity Designer for pattern making series.
What you’ll learn
- The difference between the Move Tool and the Node Tool
- How to smooth a corner and sharpen a corner
- How to use the handles to reshape a curve
- How to add and remove nodes (and what happens to your shape when you do)
- How to true up seams so two pattern pieces fit together
Quick notes
Move Tool vs. Node Tool. The Move Tool works on the entire shape. The Node Tool works inside the shape: it lets you grab one point or one part of the path and reshape just that part.
Finding it. The Node Tool sits two below the Move Tool (Move Tool, Artboard Tool, then Node Tool). The shortcut is A, and it’s worth memorizing. If you forget a shortcut, hover over any tool to see it.
Seeing the nodes. Click a shape with the Node Tool and all of its points show up, ready to move.
Rectangles need converting first. A rectangle drawn with the Rectangle Tool won’t show editable nodes. Click Convert to Curves in the toolbar at the top, and then you can move each node on its own.
Sharp vs. smooth nodes. Sharp nodes make corners. Smooth (curved) nodes make shapes like armholes and necklines. Use the convert buttons in the top toolbar to switch a node from smooth to sharp or back, then adjust as needed. For a curve that runs into a straight line, drag one handle all the way into the node and shape the other side.
Handles. The handles coming off each node (called Bézier handles in Illustrator) are what reshape the line. Zoom in on a neckline and pull or twist the handles to change its shape.
Adding and removing nodes. Click anywhere on the line to add a node. To remove one, select it and delete it, but watch out: deleting a node changes the shape. If you want fewer nodes with the same shape, make a copy first as a reference, delete the extra nodes, then use the handles on the remaining nodes to match the original.
Truing up seams. Switch to the Move Tool, bring the two pieces close together at the seam (like a side seam), and zoom in. Then use the Node Tool to pull the nodes until the line flows smoothly from one piece into the next. For an awkward join, draw a guide line with the Pen Tool (coming in a later episode) and bring your nodes to that line.
Remember: the Move Tool moves the whole piece. The Node Tool reshapes the individual parts of your pattern, so you can fine-tune your pieces.
Catch up on the series
- Episode 1: The Move Tool
- Episode 2: The Layers Window
- Episode 3: The Node Tool (this one)
- Episode 4: The Rectangle Tool (coming soon)
Free starter pack
Still comparing digital tools, or want cheat sheets to keep nearby while you learn Affinity Designer? Grab my free Digital Pattern Drafting Starter Pack. It compares CLO3D, Illustrator, Affinity Designer, and Seamly2D, and includes key command cheat sheets. Get the free starter pack →
