Direct Selection tool modifier keys
The following table lists shortcuts that you can use to modify the shape of an existing path with the Direct Selection tool 
. To add or remove points on an existing path, or to join two existing paths, use the Pen tool.
| To do this action | Do this | Pointer |
|---|---|---|
|
Make tangent handles appear for a point on a path |
Click a point on a path |
Move point pointer |
|
Move a point on a path |
Drag a point on a path |
Move point pointer |
|
Make tangent handles appear for a segment between two points on a path |
Click a segment of a path |
Move segment pointer |
|
Move a segment between two points on a path |
Drag a segment of a path |
Move segment pointer |
|
Change the angle of a tangent for a point on a path |
Click a point or a segment of a path to make the tangent handles appear, and then drag one of the tangent end points |
Move tangent pointer |
|
Make a point into a sharp corner or reduces the tangent to zero |
Hover over a point, hold down ALT, and then click the point |
Convert point pointer |
|
Make any sharp corner smooth (or, if it's already smooth, change the angle of the curve as it passes through the clicked point) |
Hover over a point, hold down ALT, and then drag the point |
Convert point pointer |
|
Change a curve segment into a straight line |
Hover over a segment in a path, hold down ALT, and then click the segment |
Convert segment pointer |
|
Take a segment and bend it into a curve to pass through the pointer position |
Hover over a segment in a path, hold down ALT, and then drag the segment |
Convert segment pointer |
|
Adjust one end of a tangent independently of the other side |
Direct-select a point or a segment, hold down ALT, and then drag a tangent end point |
Convert tangent pointer |
