Construct compound curves

Compound curve builds exact paths containing straight lines, arcs and cubic Bezier segments. It is the preferred tool when you want precise curved geometry with editable nodes and tangents.

1. Choose Compound curve from the toolbox or Shapes menu and click the first point.
2. Use the Curve dropdown in the bottom bar to choose Line, Arc or Bezier for the next segment. You can change this choice during construction.
3. For Line, click the next endpoint. For Arc, click a point on the bend and then its endpoint. For Bezier, click the first tangent control point, the second tangent control point, then the endpoint.
4. Continue with more segments. Use Closed curve in the Curve menu if you want a closed path, then press Enter to finish. Esc cancels the unfinished construction.
5. Select the finished curve and edit its appearance. A closed curve can have a fill. Choose Nodes for direct editing or Shapes > Edit curve segments for numerical segment properties.

Combine or join existing curves

Shapes > Combine curves gathers selected vector curves or shapes into one compound curve and retains separate subpaths. It does not perform a boolean union of overlapping outlines.

Shapes > Join connected curves connects open curves whose endpoints already meet. The endpoint tolerance is 0.001 drawing units. Use object snaps when preparing endpoints, then select the curves and run Join connected curves. If joining fails, check that the curves are open and that the intended endpoints coincide.

Note: A compound curve may contain several open or closed subpaths. The segment editor's Subpath list lets you address each one. Exact creative curves use the two-dimensional drawing plane; elevated CAD objects cannot be converted directly to this curve form.