Getting Started

Activate a path and make your first edits in a few minutes.

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1. Open the Vextra Panel

Choose Window → Vexy Vextra.

The top row holds the six Vextra tools. Click the first one, Vextra Editor. The same tools are available in Illustrator's toolbar.

2. Activate a Path

Select an unlocked path or compound path, then choose Vextra Editor. Vextra draws its nodes, handles, and contour over the artwork.

To move to another path, double-click it.

With Double-Click to Activate Path turned off in the panel menu, a single click activates another path. Vextra checks the current path first either way, so ordinary edits keep working.

3. Move a Node

Click a node to select it, and Shift-click to add nodes to the selection or remove them from it.

Drag a selected node to move it together with its handles.

• Hold Shift to move only horizontally or vertically.
• Press Escape during the drag to put the path back.

4. Edit a Handle

Drag a handle point.

At a smooth node, the opposite handle rotates with it. Hold Option / Alt to move one handle on its own.

At a sharp node, each handle moves on its own. Hold Option / Alt to make both sides behave as a smooth pair for that drag.

5. Reshape a Curve

Move the pointer over an unselected curve, and Vextra marks a small point on it.

Drag that point to reshape the curve. You do not have to select the curve first.

Hold Option / Alt during the drag to change the handle directions as well.

Press and release without dragging, and Vextra selects the segment instead.

6. Insert a Node

Control-Option-click / Ctrl-Alt-click adds a smooth node without changing the shape of the curve. The same keys add a node to a straight segment.

7. Try Curvature and Quick Help

Turn on Curvature in the measurement row to see how strongly the path bends.

Turn on the round Quick Help button for a small help card beside the current node, handle, segment, or tool action.

8. Undo and Hide the Overlays

Illustrator's Command-Z / Ctrl-Z and Shift-Command-Z / Ctrl-Shift-Z work as usual, and each finished Vextra drag is one undo step.

Hold the backtick key to hide every Vextra overlay, and release it to bring them back.

The Basic Workflow

Open the panel, choose a Vextra tool, activate one path, select and edit its points, and undo with Illustrator whenever you need to.

Next, read Artwork & Activation and Panel & Tools.