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Handles
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 Related Terms
• Path
• Control Handles
• Vector
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Definition: Handles in graphics software are special points placed around an active object that are used to manipulate the object when clicked and dragged with the mouse or other pointing device. They usually appear in the corners and each of the four sides surrounding an object for a total of eight handles. Handles are most often used to resize, stretch and transform an object. Sometines center handles are also provided for moving or rotating an object.

Handles in CorelDRAW
Handles in CorelDRAW.

Handles in Jasc Paint Shop Pro
Handles in Jasc Paint Shop Pro. The thin rectangle surrounding the object is called a bounding box.

Handles in Ulead PhotoImpact
Handles in Ulead PhotoImpact.

Handles in Adobe Photoshop
Handles in Adobe Photoshop.

Related Resources:

The Language of Curves
Whether working with curves and paths and vector-based shapes in painting or drawing software, it is helpful to understand some of the terminology used for this type of computer drawing.


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From Sue Chastain,
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