Vector Graphics Creation and Editing
Paths, anchors, and handles
Vector art is defined by paths: anchor points joined by segments, shaped by direction handles. Understand corner versus smooth points, open versus closed paths, and how handle length and angle control curvature. Editing tools to know: direct selection of anchors and handles, join and average, add/remove anchor, and pathfinder-style combine operations (unite, subtract, intersect, exclude).
Objects and structure
Know the difference between fill and stroke, stacking order, grouping versus compound paths, and live shapes versus expanded artwork. Appearance attributes (stroke width, caps, joins, dashes, arrowheads) belong to the object or group, not the path geometry - a common trap when a question asks why a stroke scaled unexpectedly.
Drawing and tracing
Pen tool behavior is a frequent topic: click for corners, click-drag for curves, and the relationship between the outgoing handle of one anchor and the incoming handle of the next. Understand when to use shape tools with modifier keys, when to use pathfinder versus shape-builder style tools, and when to expand or outline strokes before boolean operations.
Worked example
Two overlapping circles must become a single crescent. Rule: select both, use a subtract-style pathfinder operation with the front shape as the cutter, then check that both were converted to paths first. If the result is unexpected, suspect live shapes or grouped objects.
Traps
Questions that confuse raster selection tools with vector anchor editing, or that assume grouping equals merging.