Curve Path
A curve path is a smooth curve you can keep open (like a winding garden path) or close into a shape (like a planting bed).
Bezier PathThe Bezier Path tool builds a single continuous path from any number of nodes — each node can be a sharp corner, a smooth curve, or a symmetric arc. Use it whenever a single curve segment is not enough: meandering garden borders, naturalistic stream edges, winding walkways, or any boundary that needs to change direction multiple times. The sidebar shows a live Total Length and Point Count as you draw, plus a Closed path option that snaps the last node back to the first to enclose a planting bed, lawn, or pond outline. The finished path is one selectable entity, making it easy to style, fill, or hand off to a hardscape wizard.
Editing after placement
Press N (or E) to enter Node Edit mode on a selected curve path. Drag nodes to reposition them. Drag handles to reshape curves. Press 1/2/3 to change the node type to corner, smooth, or symmetric.
Name the path (optional)
Type a descriptive name into the Name field in the sidebar before drawing — for example 'Front border' or 'Stream edge'. The name appears in the Layers panel and makes the entity easy to find later. You can also rename it after committing by selecting the entity and editing in the inspector.
Place your first anchor node
Click once on the canvas to drop the start anchor as a corner node. To start with a smooth curve instead, click and drag — pull the mouse in the direction you want the path to leave that point, then release to set the handle length and direction. The green anchor dot marks the start of your path.
Chain additional nodes along the edge
Continue clicking or click-dragging to add more nodes in sequence. Each new node extends the path and a new curve segment appears between it and the previous node. Mix corner clicks and drag-to-curve clicks freely — the path remembers each node type independently, so one segment can flow smoothly while the next bends sharply. Watch the Point Count in the sidebar increment with each node.
Close the path to enclose an area (optional)
To enclose a garden area, tick Closed path in the sidebar before finishing. With this option on, pressing Enter or clicking Apply automatically connects the last node back to the first with a final curve segment, creating a fully closed shape. A closed path can have a fill style — surface class, photoreal material, or solid color — applied to its interior.
Finish or cancel the path
Double-click the final node, press Enter, or click Apply in the sidebar to commit the path as a new entity. The path appears on the active layer immediately. Press Escape at any point to discard the current session without creating anything. The Total Length shown is the actual path length in your project's unit system and is useful for estimating edging material or irrigation pipe runs.
Refine nodes after placement
Select the path and press N (or E) to enter Node Edit mode. Drag any anchor to reposition it, or drag its control handles to reshape a segment without disturbing the rest of the path. Press 1 for a corner node, 2 for a smooth node, or 3 for a symmetric node on any selected anchor. Right-click on the path edge to insert a new node, or right-click an existing anchor to delete it.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| P | Activate Curve tool |
| Enter | Finish path |
| Escape | Cancel drawing |
| N or E | Enter Node Edit mode |
| 1 | Make selected node a corner |
| 2 | Make selected node smooth |
| 3 | Make selected node symmetric |
Keep the node count low. A handful of well-spaced smooth nodes reads more naturally than many tightly packed corners. Aim for one node every 1–3 meters of border length. If you traced an imported underlay and ended up with hundreds of nodes, select the path and use Simplify in the Node Edit panel to reduce them while preserving the overall shape.
The Total Length in the sidebar reflects your project's unit system — meters in metric mode, feet in imperial. This live readout is handy for estimating edging quantities, irrigation pipe runs, or hedge planting counts before you even commit the path.
Pressing Escape mid-draw discards all nodes placed in the current session — there is no undo for an in-progress path. Commit to a finished entity with Enter or Apply first, then undo with Ctrl+Z if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Bezier Path tool and the single Bezier Curve tool?
The single Bezier Curve tool draws exactly one curve segment between a start and an end point, defined by two control handles. The Bezier Path tool chains any number of those segments together into one continuous entity, so the whole border is a single selectable, styleable object rather than many separate overlapping curves.
How do I make part of the path straight and part curved?
Click without dragging to drop a corner node — a corner node has no handles and the adjacent segments meet at a sharp point, creating a straight-looking transition. Then click and drag at the next node to pull out handles and create a smooth curve. You can mix both styles freely within the same path.
My control handles move symmetrically when I drag one — how do I move them independently?
That node is in Symmetric or Smooth mode, which keeps both handles equal in length or aligned in direction. Enter Node Edit mode (press N), select the node, and press 1 to convert it to a corner node. Each handle can then be dragged independently to create an asymmetric curve — useful for tight bends on one side of a node with a gentle curve on the other.
Can I add or delete a node after the path is committed?
Yes. Select the path and enter Node Edit mode with N or E. Right-click anywhere on the path edge to insert a new node at that position, or right-click an existing anchor node to delete it. All changes can be undone with Ctrl+Z.
Does the Closed path option change how the border looks?
Enabling Closed path adds a final curve segment connecting the last node back to the first, forming an enclosed shape. You can then apply a fill style — surface class, photoreal material, or solid color — to the interior area. Without Closed path the entity is an open line and interior fills do not apply, though stroke styles and line widths still work normally.
Can I use a Bezier Path as the boundary for a hardscape wizard?
Yes. After committing the path, activate any hardscape wizard (such as the Walkway or Patio wizard) and select your bezier path as the boundary shape. The wizard adopts the path as its footprint outline, preserving the exact curves you drew.