.. _tool-grease-pencil-draw-curve:

**********
Curve Tool
**********

.. admonition:: Reference
   :class: refbox

   :Mode:      Draw Mode
   :Panel:     :menuselection:`Toolbar --> Tools --> Draw Tools --> Curve`

The Curve tool create complex Bézier style curves.


Usage
=====

Selecting a Brush and Material
------------------------------

In the Tool Settings select the brush and material to use with the tool.
The Curve tool uses *Draw Brush* types.
See :ref:`grease-pencil-draw-common-options` for more information.


Common Brush Options
--------------------

You can configure the brush main settings exposed on the Tool Settings for convenience.
For the draw brushes configuration and settings see:
:doc:`Draw Brush </grease_pencil/modes/draw/tool_settings/brushes/draw_brush>`.

Thickness Profile
   Use a :doc:`curve widget </interface/controls/templates/curve>`. to define the stroke thickness
   from the start (left) to end (right) of the stroke.

   Use Curve
      When enabled, the stroke use a curve profile to control the thickness along the curve.

.. list-table:: Different thickness profile samples.

   * - .. figure:: /images/grease-pencil_modes_draw_tools_curve-thickness-profile-01.png
          :width: 200px

     - .. figure:: /images/grease-pencil_modes_draw_tools_curve-thickness-profile-02.png
          :width: 200px

     - .. figure:: /images/grease-pencil_modes_draw_tools_curve-thickness-profile-03.png
          :width: 200px


Creating Curves
---------------

#. Click (:kbd:`LMB` or the :kbd:`Pen` tip) and drag the start point.
#. Release on the desired end point.
#. After releasing you can tweak the curve using two cyan Bézier like manipulators.
#. Then confirm (:kbd:`Return`/:kbd:`MMB`) or cancel (:kbd:`Esc`/:kbd:`RMB`).

While dragging you can hold :kbd:`Shift` to use only one manipulator to tweak the curve (like the Arc tool),
use :kbd:`Alt` to create the arc from a center point or :kbd:`M` to flip.

:kbd:`Plus` and :kbd:`Minus` or using the mouse :kbd:`Wheel` will increase or decrease
the amount of points in the final curve.

.. list-table::

   * - .. figure:: /images/grease-pencil_modes_draw_tools_curve-01.png
          :width: 200px

          click and dragging the start point.

     - .. figure:: /images/grease-pencil_modes_draw_tools_curve-02.png
          :width: 200px

          Tweaking curve with the manipulators.

     - .. figure:: /images/grease-pencil_modes_draw_tools_curve-03.png
          :width: 200px

          The curve after confirming.


Extruding
---------

Before confirming you can use :kbd:`E` to extrude the end point of the curve
to generate multiple connected curves.

.. list-table::

   * - .. figure:: /images/grease-pencil_modes_draw_tools_curve-extrude-01.png
          :width: 200px

          End point extruding.

     - .. figure:: /images/grease-pencil_modes_draw_tools_curve-extrude-02.png
          :width: 200px

          Tweaking the last curve with the manipulators.

     - .. figure:: /images/grease-pencil_modes_draw_tools_curve-extrude-03.png
          :width: 200px

          The connected curves after confirming.