Edit vector paths
Edit vector layers by drilling into shapes, moving nodes and handles, adding or deleting points, and refining scalable artwork.
Double-click into any vector shape or SVG to reveal its nodes and handles, then reshape every curve, corner, and angle by hand. Reach for it whenever a premade shape or template doesn't quite fit and you need full control over the details, whether you're refining a logo, adjusting an illustration, or customizing an imported SVG.
Enter vector editing mode
Double-click any vector shape, illustration, or imported SVG to drill into its structure.
Keep double-clicking to go deeper, past groups and compound paths, until individual nodes and handles appear.
Reshape nodes and handles
Click and drag a node or handle to reshape the path.
Hold Shift while dragging to snap to 15-degree angles and keep your edits aligned.
Select multiple nodes with Shift-click or a marquee selection, then move or delete them together. Tip: select one node and press ⌘A to select every node in that path at once.
Add a node by double-clicking directly on the path, or by switching to the pen tool and hovering over an empty stretch of it.
Remove a node by selecting it and pressing Delete, or by switching to the pen tool and clicking the node you want gone.
Move a node or handle near another object or node, and it snaps into place for clean alignment.
Double-click a node to toggle it between a smooth curve and a sharp corner.
Hold Option (Alt on Windows) while dragging a handle to break it into an asymmetric corner.
Expected outcome
Your shape reshapes in real time as you move nodes and handles, and it stays crisp at any size since it's still a vector. Click outside the shape to exit editing mode, then style it like any other object: fill, border, and shadow options appear in the right panel.
Troubleshooting
I can't erase part of a vector shape directly.
The eraser only works on raster (pixel-based) elements. Selecting a vector and choosing Erase from the contextual toolbar prompts a Rasterize layer to erase? warning first. Click Rasterize to convert the layer to a flat image so you can erase it, but know this trades away its vector properties: you won't be able to resize it without quality loss or recolor it node by node afterward. Cancel out and keep editing nodes and handles instead if you want to stay in vector.
Common questions
Do vector edits affect an object's color or other styling?
No. Reshaping nodes and handles only changes the path's outline. Fill, border, shadow, and other styling stay exactly as they were.
Can I edit an SVG I imported from outside the editor?
Yes. Double-click an imported SVG the same way you would any other vector element to access its nodes and handles.
What if double-clicking doesn't show nodes and handles?
You've likely selected a raster (pixel-based) image instead of a vector. Raster images show crop and resize handles, not nodes, since there's no path to edit.
Related articles
Why use vector editing?
Vector editing gives you full creative control. Instead of relying on pre-made shapes or templates, you can fine-tune every curve, corner, and angle in your design. That means smoother details, cleaner layouts, and complete flexibility — whether you’re refining a logo, adjusting an illustration, or customizing an imported SVG.
With vector paths, your edits stay sharp at any size. No pixelation. No compromise.