Hi John. M has got you on the right track.
M,
Adobe calls the anchor points either smooth anchor points or corner anchor points. I have not found any documentation for what to call the anchor point like John keeps running into, so I've taken to calling them compound points.
John,
When I draw a shape like this, I always end up with just smooth points. But I've been doing it for many many years and I don't put any thought into what I'm doing.(not always a good thing!)
When I try to duplicate the results that you get, I have to do it by dragging the first point and clicking a point where I want to set the curve, and THEN dragging from that point to start the next section of the shape, and clicking where I want THAT section of the curve to be set.
The difference between what I do, and what I think that you are doing, is that I don't click to set my first point, I click and drag. In dragging, I am influencing the shape of the curve from both directions (the first click and now the second) AND I am setting the curve of the second part of the shape AND linking it to the first part of the curve AT THE SAME TIME.
As I have mentioned elsewhere, you often will not get the shape that you want in the first pass because as you drag a curve, you must drag it the same amount in both directions. You have to go back and readjust some of the anchors that were either dragged too far or not enough.
Is this better than doing as you do and going back with the convert tool and changing them? It's a matter of preference. I like to work one way, you may prefer to work another.
The point is, in order to obtain smooth flowing curves, you need to have the sections linked together so that one area of the curve affects the that area next to it and vis versa.
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by: MHenryPosted on 2008-07-02 at 09:23:13ID: 21918046
gabrielPennyback,,
The way you've created the art is fine. Now all you need to do is "Convert Anchor Point Tool."
Simply click and drag on the point you want to smooth. That will create the little lines coming from the point in both directions. (Sorry, can't remember what they are called). Now using the same tool, click on the little handles at the end of each line and drag it around until the art looks smooth. Hopefully the attached will help clear it up.
Best,
MH
handles for curves