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Curved Line Tool — In Depth

The Curved Line tool draws smooth, flowing light strands — perfect for arches, rounded rooflines, decorative swoops, and tree wrapping where straight segments would look unnatural.

What you'll learn

  • Plot mode for controlled curves
  • Freeform mode for hand-drawn curves
  • The Smoothness slider

Plot mode (default)

Plot mode lets you click control points, and Lumineer draws a smooth curve that flows through them.

Activate: Press C (or click "Curve" in the toolbar). Make sure Plot is selected in the options bar.

Drawing flow

  1. Click to place the first control point — a blue circle appears.
  2. Click to add more control points — a smooth pink/magenta curve interpolates through all your points. The curve updates live as you add points.
  3. Finish the curve:
    • Click near your last point (within ~15 pixels).
    • Press Enter.
  4. The blue guide disappears and Christmas lights appear along the smooth curve.

Undo and cancel

  • Ctrl+Z / Cmd+Z — Removes the last control point.
  • Escape — Cancels the entire curve.

Tip: You don't need many points for a smooth curve. For a simple arch over a doorway, 3-5 control points is usually enough. The curve algorithm handles the smoothing.

Freeform mode

Freeform mode lets you draw a curve by hand — click and drag, and the curve follows your mouse/finger.

Activate: Press C, then switch to Freeform in the options bar.

Drawing flow

  1. Click and hold where the curve starts.
  2. Drag along the path you want — Lumineer samples points every ~15 pixels as you move, creating a smooth flowing curve in real-time.
  3. Release — the curve is finalized and lights appear along it.

Freeform is faster but less precise than Plot mode. It's great for organic shapes like tree wrapping or decorative swags.

Smoothness slider

The Smoothness slider (0%–100%) appears in the options bar when the Curve tool is active. It controls how much the curve rounds between control points.

| Value | Effect | |-------|--------| | 0% | Nearly straight segments between points (like straight line tool) | | 50% | Moderate smoothing — good default for most curves | | 100% | Maximum smoothing — very round, flowing curves |

Adjusting smoothness affects how the next curve you draw will look. To change an existing curve's smoothness, select it and adjust the slider.

When to use curves vs. straight lines

| Scenario | Best tool | |----------|----------| | Arched doorway or window | Curve — Plot with 3-5 points | | Rounded roofline or turret | Curve — Plot following the contour | | Tree wrapping | Curve — Freeform, drag around the tree | | Decorative swag/swoop | Curve — Freeform for organic shape | | Standard gable roofline | Straight Line — sharper corners look correct | | Window frame or garage outline | Straight Line — architectural features have straight edges |

Related:

PreviousStraight Line Tool — In DepthNext Shrub Tool — In Depth