OS X Software: Xtream Path

Imagine for a moment a straight piece of string. If you wanted to pull it upward to form a semi-circle, where would you grab it? Answer: in the center. But in most illustration software, your natural instinct would be wrong. Because of the decades-old design of Bézier curves -- the bedrock of many illustration software packages -- the correct answer would be grabbing either end of the straight line and awkwardly twisting and turning them to force the center into bending the way you want. Not exactly the most obvious, user-intuitive method to accomplish such a seemingly simple goal.

Truth be told, I've never liked the out-of-the-box functionality of Bézier curves and Illustrator's Pen tool; paths with multiple anchor points can quickly become overly complex, difficult to modify, and require a higher than expected learning curve. I've repeatedly found myself in situations where I could visualize what I wanted to do with a line, but the software forced me into manipulating anchor points (the "joints" of the skeleton) to create the simplest of shapes, when all I really wanted to do was grab the line itself -- not the joints -- and push, pull, and bend it around to suit my needs. In the real world, the anchor point system is analogous to bending someone's arm by taking hold of their elbow. It simply doesn't feel right.

Thankfully, I'm not alone. CValley has just released XTream Path -- a brilliant collection of path editing tools all based on the simple, natural principle of grabbing lines instead of anchor points. After just a few hours of working with the Xtream Path toolset, I may honestly never touch anchor points with the Pen tool again.

Xtream Path features 36 filters and tools, each designed to manipulate paths in a unique way. There are literally so many tools and options associated with each that it's impossible to write about each and every one without writing a manual. But from creating perfectly symmetrical arcs to punching concave notches in corners to straightening lines, the tool set can handle just about anything (all, I should add, without touching anchor points).

Another handy feature of the Xtream Path tool set -- and one that Adobe could learn from -- is the inclusion of help documentation inside each tool's option box. This comes in very handy if you want to edit options numerically, but can't remember what the proper route would be. By including the help documentation inside a small, scrolling text area at the bottom of the option window, you can quickly find an answer without digging through a PDF document.

Also included in Xtream Path are a couple of "Smart Rounding" filters / effects that are like Illustrator's default Round Corners filter, but expand the options available by allowing independent control over both the convex and concave corners of anchor points. In other words, instead of applying the same arc to both the inside and outside angles of a five-pointed star, Smart Rounding gives you the ability to apply one radius to the points, and another to the inside angles to create truly unique shapes.

CValley is also prominently promoting the ability to use Smart Rounding to alter typography -- as in, morphing Helvetica into Cooper Black. It's an interesting idea, but real-world mileage (at least to those with an appreciation for typgraphy) is likely to be slim to none. But for working with traditional anchor points and paths, Smart Rounding is a great replacement.

Xtream Path is a fantastic value for the money (especially considering what each tool would cost if offered as a standalone add-on) and is essential for any Illustrator user - novice or pro - frustrated by the Pen tool and manipulating anchor points.

Xtream Path is priced at $139 and available for Macintosh and Windows. A free downloadable demo is also available.