Curves
Press P to activate the Curve tool. Click and drag to place control points and create smooth curves.
CurvesThe Curve tool builds a smooth Bezier path by placing anchor points and pulling control handles that bend the curve between them. It is the go-to tool for any garden edge that needs to flow naturally — planting bed boundaries, lawn edges, stream lines, and meandering walkways. The tool panel tracks the running total length and point count in real time, and a Closed path toggle lets you seal the shape into a fillable face for beds and lawn areas. Press P to activate the tool from anywhere in the 2D editor.
Tool panel
Shows: total length (read-only), point count (read-only), and the Closed path toggle.
Place your first anchor point
Click on the canvas where you want the curve to begin. A green dot marks the start anchor. You can click and immediately release for a sharp start, or click and drag to pull out control handles that set the initial curve direction at this point.
Add anchor points and shape the curve
Click to place each subsequent anchor point. To create a smooth bend at a point, click and drag — the further you drag, the more pronounced the curve. Releasing the mouse locks in the handle length and direction. The canvas preview updates live so you can see the exact curve shape before committing the point.
The drag direction at each anchor sets which way the curve bends into and out of that point. Drag in the direction the path is traveling to create a natural, smooth flow. Short drags produce gentle curves; long drags create tighter, more sweeping bends.
Toggle Closed path for fillable shapes
If you are drawing a planting bed, lawn area, or any enclosed shape, enable the Closed path toggle in the tool sidebar before finishing. This connects the last point back to the first with a smooth curve, creating a closed face that can receive a fill color or surface material.
Finish the path
Double-click the final anchor point or press Enter to commit the curve. The path becomes a selectable entity on the canvas. The Total Length shown in the sidebar reflects the arc length of the finished curve in your project's active unit (metric or imperial).
Refine the shape with Node Edit
Select the finished curve and press N (or choose Edit Path from the context menu) to enter the Node Edit tool. Here you can drag individual anchors to reposition them, drag control handles to reshape the bend at any point, and switch nodes between smooth and corner types for precise adjustments.
Clicking without dragging creates a corner node with no handles at that point. The curve still passes through it, but will form a sharp angle rather than a smooth transition. You can convert it to a smooth node later in the Node Edit tool.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| P | Activate Curve tool |
| Enter | Finish path |
| Escape | Cancel drawing |
Frequently Asked Questions
My curve has hard corners instead of smooth bends — what happened?
If you clicked without dragging, that anchor has no control handles and becomes a corner node. To fix it, select the curve, press N to enter Node Edit, click the corner node, and set it to Smooth. Then drag the handles that appear to shape the bend as needed.
Why can't I apply a fill color to my curve?
Only closed paths have a fillable face. If the path is open, enable Closed path in the tool sidebar and redraw, or close it afterward in the Node Edit tool by joining the first and last nodes. Once closed, the shape accepts fill colors and surface materials from the inspector.
When should I use the Curve tool versus the Bezier Path tool?
Use the Curve tool when you want every segment to flow smoothly between anchor points with minimal setup — it is the fastest way to sketch an organic edge. Use the Bezier Path tool when a single long edge must mix curved and straight segments, or when you need precise per-node handle control across a complex path.
Can I see the exact length of a finished curve?
Yes. While drawing, the Total Length field in the tool sidebar shows the running arc length in your project's active unit. After finishing, select the curve and the inspector shows the total length. The unit (meters or feet) follows the project setting in Project Settings.
How do I undo the last point while still drawing?
Press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Cmd+Z (Mac) while the Curve tool is active to remove the most recently placed anchor point without canceling the whole path. You can undo multiple points one at a time and then continue placing new ones.