Path Editing & Boolean Operations

Vector paths are the backbone of scalable graphics in Piko. Whether you drew a shape with the Rectangle tool or traced a complex outline with the Pen tool, you can edit the individual points and curves that define it. This guide covers path editing mode, point types, path operations, and boolean shape combinations.

Entering path edit mode

There are three ways to enter path edit mode and start working with individual anchor points:

Double-click

Double-click any path with the Selection tool (V) to enter path edit mode. This works on paths created with the Pen tool, as well as shapes drawn with the Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, or Star tools — these are edited as virtual paths.

Pen tool

Activate the Pen tool (P) and click on an endpoint of an existing open path. This enters path edit mode and lets you continue drawing from that endpoint.

Note

When you double-click a basic shape like a rectangle or ellipse, Piko lets you edit it as if it were a vector path. The shape’s control points become editable anchor points. This is a non-destructive operation — the shape retains its type until you make changes that break its symmetry.

Point types

Every anchor point on a path has a type that determines how it handles curves. You can change the point type at any time by selecting one or more points and pressing the corresponding key.

Type	Key	Behavior
Corner	1	No control handles. Creates a sharp corner with straight segments on either side.
Symmetric	2	Two handles that mirror each other in both direction and length. Produces perfectly smooth curves.
Smooth	3	Two handles that maintain the same direction but can differ in length. Creates smooth curves with independent tension on each side.
Free	4	Each handle moves independently. Lets you create sharp transitions between two curves.

Tip

Start with Symmetric points for smooth, flowing curves. Switch to Smooth when you need to control the curve tightness on one side without affecting the other. Use Free when you need an abrupt direction change between two curved segments.

Path edit actions

Once inside path edit mode, you can manipulate points, handles, and segments with the following actions:

Selecting points

Action	How
Select a point	Click on an anchor point
Add/remove from selection	Shift + click on an anchor point
Select all points	Ctrl + A
Marquee select	Click and drag on empty space to draw a selection rectangle around points

Editing points and curves

Action	How
Move selected points	Drag any selected anchor point (all selected points move together). Snapping is active.
Adjust a curve	Drag a control handle to reshape the Bezier curve on that side of the point.
Toggle smooth/free mode	Alt + drag a handle to toggle between smooth and free handle behavior.
Add a point to a segment	Ctrl + click on a path segment to insert a new anchor point at that position.
Delete selected points	Delete or Backspace

Path structure

Action	Shortcut
Break path at selected point	Shift + B
Join two selected endpoints	J (open paths only)
Exit path editing	Escape or Enter

Caution

Deleting an anchor point removes it and its connected segments. If the point is in the middle of a path, the adjacent points are reconnected with a new segment. If you need to remove a curve without removing the point, convert it to a Corner point instead.

Closed vs. open paths

Paths in Piko can be either closed or open. The distinction affects how the shape is filled and how you can extend it.

Closed paths

A closed path has its last point connected back to its first point, forming a complete loop. Shapes created with the Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, and Star tools are closed paths by default.

• Closed paths can be filled — the interior area is painted with the shape’s fill.
• To open a closed path, select a point and press Shift + B to break the path, or toggle the Closed checkbox in the Properties panel.

Open paths

An open path has two distinct endpoints that are not connected to each other. Lines and unclosed Pen tool paths are open by default.

• Open paths display a stroke but typically have no visible fill (the fill area is ambiguous).
• To close an open path, select both endpoints and press J to join them, or toggle the Closed checkbox in the Properties panel.
• You can also right-click the path and choose Close Path or Open Path from the context menu.

Tip

To extend an open path, activate the Pen tool (P) and click on one of its endpoints. You can then continue placing new points from that end.

Boolean operations

Boolean operations combine two or more shapes into a single compound shape. They are essential for creating complex silhouettes, cutouts, and icons from simple primitives.

Requirements

• You must have two or more shapes selected.
• All selected shapes must share the same parent (be on the same level in the layer hierarchy).

Available operations

Operation	Shortcut	Result
Union	Ctrl + Alt + U	Combines the area of all shapes into one (A + B).
Subtract	Ctrl + Alt + S	Removes the area of the upper shapes from the bottom shape (A - B).
Intersect	Ctrl + Alt + I	Keeps only the area where all shapes overlap (A AND B).
Exclude	Ctrl + Alt + X	Keeps all area except where shapes overlap (A XOR B).

Performing a boolean operation

1. Select two or more shapes on the canvas.
2. Open the Object menu or use the keyboard shortcut for the desired operation.
3. A Boolean Group is created in the Layers panel, containing the original shapes as children.
4. The result inherits the fills and strokes from the first (bottom) child.

Working with boolean groups

Boolean groups are non-destructive — the operand shapes are preserved as children inside the group.

• Change the operation — select the Boolean Group and change the operation type in the Properties panel dropdown.
• Edit child shapes — double-click the Boolean Group to enter it, then select and modify individual operand shapes. The boolean result updates in real time.
• Reorder operands — drag child shapes within the Boolean Group in the Layers panel to change which shape is subtracted from which.
• Flatten — go to Object > Flatten Boolean to convert the Boolean Group into a single, editable path. This is a one-way operation.

Note

Boolean operations are the fastest way to build complex icons. For example, create a padlock icon by drawing a rectangle for the body, an ellipse for the shackle, and using Union to combine them. Then Subtract a small circle for the keyhole.

Quick reference

Action	Shortcut
Enter path edit mode	Double-click a shape
Corner point	1
Symmetric point	2
Smooth point	3
Free point	4
Add point to segment	Ctrl + click on segment
Delete points	Delete / Backspace
Break path	Shift + B
Join endpoints	J
Select all points	Ctrl + A
Exit path editing	Escape / Enter
Union	Ctrl + Alt + U
Subtract	Ctrl + Alt + S
Intersect	Ctrl + Alt + I
Exclude	Ctrl + Alt + X
Swap foreground/background	X

For the complete shortcut list, see the Keyboard Shortcuts reference.