Photoshop Convert Point Tool: Path Corner Points

The Convert Point Tool in Adobe Photoshop is a specialized vector editing utility designed to toggle and adjust anchor points between sharp corners and smooth curves. It provides digital artists and designers with direct control over path geometry, enabling precise shape creation, vector mask refinement, and custom path manipulation. This guide details the essential functions of the Convert Point Tool, specifically focusing on how it alters corner points and direction handles to control Bézier paths.

Converting Sharp Corners to Smooth Curves

When drawing paths with the Pen Tool, clicking without dragging produces sharp corner points connected by straight lines. The Convert Point Tool transforms these rigid intersections into flowing curves:

  • Click and Drag: Selecting a sharp corner point with the Convert Point Tool and dragging away from the anchor point generates two symmetrical direction handles.
  • Controlling the Arc: The distance and direction you drag determine the steepness and angle of the curve on both sides of the point.

Converting Smooth Points to Sharp Corners

If a path contains curved segments with active direction handles, the Convert Point Tool can instantly reset them into hard corner points:

  • Direct Click: Clicking once directly on a smooth anchor point removes its direction handles entirely.
  • Resulting Geometry: The incoming and outgoing path segments immediately convert from arcs into straight lines that meet at an abrupt angle.

Creating Asymmetrical and Hinged Corner Points

Standard smooth points maintain collinear direction handles, meaning moving one handle moves the opposite handle to preserve a continuous curve. The Convert Point Tool allows you to break this symmetry to create corner points that have curves on one or both sides (often called cusp points):

  • Splitting Handles: Clicking and dragging an individual direction handle of an existing smooth point breaks the link between the two handles.
  • Independent Angles: Once split, each handle can be positioned at a distinct angle, creating a sharp corner transition between two curved path segments or between a straight line and a curve.

Workflow Integration and Shortcuts

While the Convert Point Tool can be selected from the toolbar (nested under the Pen Tool), switching between tools interrupts the editing flow. Photoshop integrates access to this tool via keyboard modifiers:

  • Pen Tool Modifier: While using the standard Pen Tool, hold down the Alt key (Windows) or Option key (macOS) to temporarily activate the Convert Point Tool. Releasing the key returns you to the standard Pen Tool immediately.
  • Direct Selection Integration: Holding Alt/Option while using the Direct Selection Tool (white arrow) on a handle also lets you split handles into corner cusps instantly.

By switching between straight corners, continuous curves, and asymmetrical cusps, the Convert Point Tool serves as the primary mechanism for establishing precise contours and defining exact vector boundaries in Photoshop.