Vector Editing
Sketch is a vector-based design tool, which means you can create, and edit existing shapes by modifying their points and paths. Shape Editing covered an introduction to vectors, but this chapter takes an in-depth look to Sketch’s vector editing capabilities.
To enter Sketch’s vector editing mode, select either a shape layer, and double-click it (or press the Enter key), or choose Insert › Vector from the pop-up menu in the toolbar to start drawing a new shape layer.
For an in-depth article about how vector editing works in Sketch, as well as some best practices, check Peter Nowell’s excellent Mastering the Bézier Curve in Sketch. It is both technical, and accessible.
Join
With two or more open paths selected, choosing Layer › Path › Join will combine them into a single continuous path. The bottom-most path in the selection will stay in position, whilst path layers above it may move slightly to fit together.
Convert to Outlines
Whilst you can convert a text layer to outlines to edit its points, you can also convert a layer’s border to outlines too, exactly the same way. Choose Layer › Convert to Outlines from the menu (or press Shift-Command-O) and the border on your selected layer will become a path with its very own fill.
Reverse Order
A path’s direction is determined by the order in which its points are placed, meaning that there is a start point, and an end point if a path is open. Choosing Layer › Path › Reverse Order can swap the start and end points of a path which allows you to place your next point from the opposite end, or to switch the place of an arrow that can appear as part of a border.
