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Nineblock Software
BetterHandles gives you more control over Bezier curves in Adobe Illustrator.
Some features are:
Some features are:
- Select multiple handles, and collectively move, extend, rotate, or retract them
- Extend or retract handles without changing their angles
- Edit points numerically: anchor, in handle, out handle
- Convert multiple points from corner to smooth or vice versa
- Automatically extend new handles on multiple points
- Intuitively reshape path segments, optionally constraining handle directions
- Use slow-drag to divide the cursor movement for
What's New
Version 1.4: Release notes were unavailable when this listing was updated.
Requirements
- PPC / Intel
- Mac OS X 10.5 or later.
- Adobe Illustrator CS or later.
BetterHandles User Discussion (Write a Review)
Overall:
(3)
(3)
| Downloads:2,570 |
| Version Downloads:709 |
| Type:Multimedia & Design : Illustration |
| License:Demo |
| Date:05 Aug 2010 |
| Platform:PPC / Intel |
| Price: $39.00 |
Overall (Version 1.x): |
| Features: |
Ease of Use: |
| Value: |
| Stability: |
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BetterHandles gives you more control over Bezier curves in Adobe Illustrator.
Some features are:
Some features are:
- Select multiple handles, and collectively move, extend, rotate, or retract them
- Extend or retract handles without changing their angles
- Edit points numerically: anchor, in handle, out handle
- Convert multiple points from corner to smooth or vice versa
- Automatically extend new handles on multiple points
- Intuitively reshape path segments, optionally constraining handle directions
- Use slow-drag to divide the cursor movement for extremely precise moves
- Equalize a point's handles
- See all the handles on a path while editing it
- Split a path at one or more points
- Delete one or more points and close the path around them
- See when the cursor is over a handle, point, or path - without having to use Smart Guides.
- And more!
Copyright © 2012 MacUpdate LLC
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As of 4 May 2011, Nineblock Software has ceased to trade. Support for Nineblock Software by Astute Graphics will be limited to the supply of lost registration codes, where possible."
Good while it lasted, but that's all folks :(
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I was also afraid when hearing about the Nineblock acquisition, that BetterHandles wouldn't see any future development.
Lo and behold, the team at Astute Graphics (of Phantasm CS fame) has improved upon and incorporated this plugin into a suite called VectorScribe.
While I was a bit bummed that they didn't offer any upgrade/transfer discount for previous BetterHandles customers (at least not what I could see), I must say I'm more than willing to forget about having to buy 'BetterHandles' twice. It's just that good.
By the way, BetterHandles changed name to PathScribe.
The VectorScribe toolkit consists of two flavors; the "basic" version, called VectorScribe Designer and the "grande deluxe" version, VectorScribe Studio. I went for the latter and think it was a good choice, since you then get the immensely great Dynamic Corners and Dynamic Shapes tools.
VectorScribe Designer:
PathScribe
Dynamic Measure
Protractor
VectorScribe Studio:
PathScribe
Dynamic Measure
Protractor
Dynamic Shapes
Dynamic Corners
See: http://www.astutegraphics.com/products/vectorscribe/
(It would be nice if VectorScribe could be added on MacUpdate …)
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http://www.nineblock.com/downloads.html#betterhandles_dl
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Revco reviewed on 05 Aug 2010
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Nicksloan reviewed on 05 Aug 2010
As Henrikteknik has said, the documentation is excellent, which is just as well, because it does take a bit of time to get your head around just what BetterHandles can do and how it does it, but if the fine-tuning of bézier curves matters to you, it is very well worth the study.
The single most useful feature for me is probably the ability to see more easily exactly what you are selecting when control handles are tricky to pick out, but constraining control handles along their existing axis runs it a close second. This version brings some red hot additions, such as removing redundant points from curves without significantly affecting the shape, adding points to existing curves at vertical and horizontal tangencies, the option to highlight the path direction etc, but there is a shoal of other features including a handy point editing palette.
At less than $20 it's frankly a no-brainer, as is their companion plug-in SnapMeasure.
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hced reviewed on 17 Sep 2008
One other thing, that really exudes professionalism in this product, is the outstanding documentation. Provided is a great quickstart guide, showing everything at a glance, and a thorough user's manual for every aspect of using the plugin.