Pronounced
bez-ee-ay, curved lines (
splines) defined by mathematical formulas. Nearly all
draw programs support Bézier curves.
Named after the French mathematician Pierre Bézier, Bézier curves employ at least three points to define a curve. The two endpoints of the curve are called anchor points. The other points, which define the shape of the curve, are called handles, tangent points, or nodes. Attached to each handle are two control points. By moving the handles themselves, or the control points, you can modify the shape of the curve.
