---
title: Points
order: 5
---

Every [path shape](index.md) is a list of points. This page covers the point rows of the panel, the point handles in the viewport and the keys of their drags. Selecting points, `G`, `S` and `X` are on [Edit Mode](../../interface/edit-mode.md).

## The Points panel

Under the shape's own settings in *Object Properties ▸ SDF*:

| Setting | Default | Range | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Points** list | | | One row per point: its index, its **Kind** (icon menu), then its **Radius** (Tube, Rail) or its coordinates (Outline: X, Y; Lathe: X, Z). Click a row to make that point active |
| `+` / `−` | | | Add a point after the active one; remove the active one |
| **Position** | | | The active point's place in the shape's local space: X, Y and Z, or the two its plane allows |
| **Radius** *(Tube, Rail)* | `1` | ≥ 0 (soft 4) | Multiplies the shape's radius at this point |
| **Kind** | *Smooth* | *Smooth* · *Corner* · *Free* | How the path runs through the point, see [Point kinds](#point-kinds). Greyed, with a line saying why, where the kind cannot change |
| **Handle In**, **Handle Out** *(Free)* | | | The point's two handles, measured from the point. They replace the three rows below |
| **Rounding** | `0` | ≥ 0 (soft 10) | The corner's fillet radius. Greyed unless the point is a Corner. A fillet never takes more than half of either leg |
| **Corner Profile** | *Round* | *Round* · *Sharp* · *Soft* · *Tight* · *Chamfer* | The corner's profile, see [Profiles](../../rounding-and-blending/profiles.md). Greyed unless the point is a Corner |
| **Corner Smooth** *(Chamfer)* | `0` | ≥ 0 (soft 0.5) | Rounds the seams where the chamfer meets its legs |

## Point kinds

| Kind | The path at this point |
|---|---|
| **Smooth** | Curves through the point, as gently as its neighbours allow. Three points in a line stay a straight line |
| **Corner** | Turns sharply at the point; its **Rounding** fillets the turn |
| **Free** | Follows the point's own two handles, like a point of a Blender curve |

At the ends of an open path the kind makes no difference. The ends of a solid [Lathe](lathe.md) are always plain corners. Switching a point to Free keeps the path as it is: its handles take the path's current shape. `C` during a point drag switches Smooth and Corner; the right-click menu's *Point Kind* sets every selected point.

![C during a press on a point (it becomes a Corner), then its rounding handle dragged with 5](../../assets/path-point-kinds.webp)

## The handles in the viewport

They show only in the Chisel tool's [Edit mode](../../interface/edit-mode.md). A point's dot is black, blue when selected; a point's own ring and handles respond only while it is selected.

| Handle | Shape | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Dot on every point | all | Click selects; drag moves every selected point |
| Orange rounding handle by a Corner | all | Drag away from the corner: sets the **Rounding** of every selected corner |
| Two small blue dots on a line, by a Smooth or Free point | all | Drag: bends the path. A Smooth point becomes Free |
| Green add dot on each span, and past each open end | all | Click: adds a point there. Next to a Free point the new one is Free; between two Corners a Corner; past an end it takes that end's kind; else Smooth |
| Ring round a point | Tube, Rail | Sets the point's **Radius**, see [Tube](tube.md#radius-ring) |
| White twist dot outside the first or last ring | Rail | Twists the Rail, see [Rail](rail.md#twist-dot) |
| Blue dot above the top face | Outline | Sets **Depth**, see [Outline](outline.md#depth-dot) |
| White ring on a circle | Lathe | Sets **Revolve Angle**, see [Lathe](lathe.md#angle-ring) |
| Grey round button | Lathe | Switches **Body**, see [Lathe](lathe.md#body-button) |

![a handle dragged, then V to free it from the other](../../assets/path-free-handles.webp)

The gizmo drop-down in the tool header, under *Tube, Lathe, Outline, Rail*, turns off *Points* (with *Rounding Handles* and *Add Dots*), *Radius Rings* and *Shape Handles*.

## Drag keys

Every drag shows its value by the mouse. Release, `Enter` or `Space` confirms; `RMB` or `Esc` cancels.

| Drag | Keys |
|---|---|
| **Point** | `X` / `Y` / `Z` lock the shape's local axis (an Outline offers X and Y, a Lathe X and Z; the same key again unlocks). `Ctrl` snaps the coordinates to `0.1` (`Ctrl + Shift`: `0.01`). `Alt` slides the point along one of its legs. `C` switches Smooth and Corner. `Shift` is precision |
| **End of a solid Lathe** | Slides along the axis only. `Ctrl` snaps, `Shift` is precision |
| **Ring** | `Ctrl` snaps, `C` switches Smooth and Corner, `Shift` is precision |
| **Rounding handle** | `1`–`5`: Round, Sharp, Soft, Tight, Chamfer. `S` switches to **Corner Smooth** and back. `C` switches Smooth and Corner. `Ctrl` snaps, `Shift` is precision |
| **Handle dot** | `V` frees the dragged handle from the other (`V` again lines them up). `X` / `Y` / `Z` lock an axis, `Shift` is precision |
| **Twist dot**, **Angle ring** | `Ctrl` snaps to 15° (`Ctrl + Shift`: 1°), `Shift` is precision |
| **Depth dot** | `Ctrl` snaps to `0.1` (`Ctrl + Shift`: `0.01`), `Shift` is precision |

> [!note]
> With *Emulate 3 Button Mouse* on, Blender reads `Alt + LMB` as a middle click: press `Alt` after the drag has started.

## Adding and removing points

Besides the green dots and `+`: `−` in the panel, or `X` / `Delete` with the mouse over a dot, removes that one point; `X` / `Delete` in Edit mode removes every selected point. A shape keeps its fewest points: two for a Tube or Rail, three for an Outline or Lathe (*"A Tube needs at least 2 points"*). A full path refuses another point (*"No room for another point"*).

## See also

- [Edit Mode](../../interface/edit-mode.md)
- [Path Shapes](index.md)