How to Select, Add, and Remove Nodes – Level Pilot

Fine-tuning the shape of your embroidery designs often requires manipulating the individual nodes that make up the object’s outline. This guide explains how to use the Edit Nodes tool to select, insert, and delete nodes to achieve the perfect shape.

1. Enabling the Tool and Selecting Nodes

To begin editing a specific shape, you must first access the node level of the object.

1. Select the Edit nodes tool from the toolbar.
2. Click on the object you wish to edit. The nodes (points) outlining the shape will become visible.
3. To select a single node: Click directly on it.
   • Visual Indicator: The node’s sign will become larger to indicate it is currently active.
4. To reshape: Click and drag the selected node to a new position. This will immediately alter the shape of the object.

Tip: When you select a Smooth Node, control arrows (Bezier handles) will appear extending from the node. You can drag these arrows to adjust the curvature of the line segment without moving the node itself.

2. How to Add New Nodes

In many cases, you may need extra nodes to reshape an intricate part of a design more easily. There are three ways to insert a new node into an existing outline:

• Method A (Right-Click): Right-click on the exact point of the outline where you want the new node. From the menu that appears, select the Add Node option.
• Method B (Double-Click): Simply Double-click on the outline at the position where you want the new node.
• Method C (Keyboard Shortcut): Hover your mouse over the desired point on the outline and press the [ + ] (Plus) key on your keyboard.

Understanding Node Types When you add a new node, it may appear as a Smooth, Auto-smooth, or Cusp node. The software automatically determines this based on the type of nodes that precede and follow the new insertion.

Changing Node Types: If the new node isn’t the type you need (e.g., you need a sharp corner instead of a curve):

1. Right-click on the node you wish to change.
2. Select the desired type (e.g., Cusp, Smooth, etc.) from the context menu.

3. How to Remove Nodes

You can delete nodes to simplify the shape of an object or remove accidental points.

1. Select the node you wish to remove (click it so it becomes larger).
2. Press the Delete key on your keyboard.
   • Alternative: You can also right-click the node and select Delete from the menu.

⚠️ Important Tip: Pay close attention when deleting nodes. Because nodes anchor the geometry of your design, removing a node may substantially change the shape of the object. It is best to delete nodes one at a time to ensure the design integrity is maintained.