The Good Anchor Point and Path
In order to demonstrate the good, the bad, and the ugly as those qualities apply to anchor points and paths, I've selected an ornament design that contains only one straight line and depends mainly on the use of Bézier curves to form its shape.
First, however, you must understand the difference between corner anchor points and smooth anchor points. Corner anchor points are placed anywhere your art has an apex that comes to a point. These types of anchor points can be used with or without Bézier curve handles pulled out from one or both sides when the transition between two paths doesn't need to be smooth.
A smooth anchor point is placed anywhere your art needs a curve that transitions from one path into the next. This sort of anchor point always uses Bézier curve handles pulled out from both sides to control the shape of the Bézier curve.
The following images (Figures 4.1–4.3) show the anchor points and path build shape on the left and the resulting final shape on the right.
The handles are parallel with one another and are not pulled out too far, ensuring a smooth continuity throughout the art. The other anchor point handles that form the remaining Bézier curves are also not overextended, pulled out only as far as needed to form each of the various shapes in the path.
The end result of good anchor points and paths is a graceful and elegant shape.