Curve Tool

The Curve tool is used to create curvilinear shapes, both symmetrical and asymmetrical.

For NEW performers, set the Red and Yellow Anchors on the Count Track to the count at which you wish the curve to be drawn. To transition EXISTING performers into a curve, move the Red Anchor to the count where the selected performers should “hit” the curve shape. Move the Yellow Anchor to the beginning count of the transition into the new curve. This is usually the previous set in the drill. Select the existing performers that will be moving into the curve using a Selection Tool. See the Drawing Tools overview for more explanation between new performers and transitioning existing performers.

Clicking on the Curve tool will display the Curve Tool Control Panel.

Drawing a Curve

The curve is drawn by clicking three or more points on the field display. The first click on the field is the first endpoint of the curve. Each consecutive click on the field will continue the curve shape, adding an editing handle for every click. You can use these handles to further modify the shape of the curve.

*The fewer points you have on the curve, the smoother it will be.

Curve Tool Control Panel Options

The Del Last button is used to remove the last entered point when creating the curve.

The Del Half button is used to reduce the number of points entered in half by deleting every other point entered on the field. This is useful if you have too many points to form a smooth curve.

Entering the interval in the Interval box will lock the interval and the form will maintain the interval while you move its editing handles. Since the interval between positions is locked, the form would grow or shrink by changing the number of positions in the form.

Mixed Intervals are also entered by pressing the button. This option will allow you to have different intervals in one form. Mixed Intervals are extremely useful when charting large instruments or instruments that are close together but vary in size (drum lines, for example).

To create a Mixed Interval, type the Interval value, followed by an “x”, followed by the number of positions at that interval. For example, a form with 5 positions at a 3 step interval, followed by 10 positions at a 2 step interval, ending with 5 positions at a 3 step interval would be entered like this:

5×3,10×2,5×3

Mixed Intervals can be entered before or after you create your shape, but must be entered before you Accept the form.

Many of the options in the Curve Tool Control Panel are exactly the same as options in the Line tool. Refer to the Line tool for details on the Clone, Alignment, Symbol, Color, Editing Handles, and Reposition Handles. See Matching Lines for an explanation of the Matching Lines functions.