Rounding corners in Affinity Designer is a fundamental technique for softening shapes and creating more organic designs. Based on the provided reference, one straightforward method involves directly interacting with the corner itself.
Understanding the Basic Method
According to the reference, "to round a corner simply select the corner." While this is a concise instruction, in Affinity Designer, selecting the corner usually implies using a specific tool designed for this purpose. The primary tool used for rounding corners on vector shapes is the Corner Tool.
Using the Corner Tool
The Corner Tool allows you to modify the sharp points of shapes and curves into rounded, straight, or scooped corners.
Here's a simple breakdown of the process:
- Select Your Shape: Begin by selecting the vector shape (like a rectangle, square, or even a shape created with the Pen Tool) that has the corners you want to round. Use the Move Tool (V) for this.
- Activate the Corner Tool: Switch to the Corner Tool (C). This tool shares a flyout menu with the Node Tool.
- Select the Corner(s): As the reference suggests, "simply select the corner." With the Corner Tool active, click directly on the node (point) of the corner you wish to round. You can select multiple corners by holding down the
Shiftkey while clicking on each one, or by dragging a marquee selection around the desired nodes. - Apply the Rounding: Once a corner (or multiple corners) is selected, you can round it in a few ways:
- Drag the handle: A circular handle will appear near the selected corner(s). Click and drag this handle inwards towards the center of the shape to round the corner. The further you drag, the more rounded the corner becomes. Dragging outwards will make it sharper or apply other corner types.
- Use the Context Toolbar: With the Corner Tool active and a corner selected, the Context Toolbar at the top of the interface provides options to control the corner radius numerically and choose the corner type (Rounded, Straight, Concave, Cutout).
| Method | Description | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Dragging Handle | Visually adjust rounding by dragging on the canvas. | Interactive |
| Context Toolbar | Input a precise numerical radius. | Precise Value |
Types of Corners
Beyond simple rounding, the Corner Tool often allows you to create different corner effects from the Context Toolbar:
- Rounded: Creates a smooth, curved corner.
- Straight: Creates a chamfered or beveled edge.
- Concave: Creates an inverted rounded corner.
- Cutout: Creates a straight cut across the corner.
By selecting the corner and then using either the drag handle or the Context Toolbar options, you can effectively round corners in Affinity Designer.
