Direct select + alt copies image

Hello!

If you're still needing help, the main reason that the cursor will change and duplicate your path is if you're clicking on the wrong part of it. You need to make sure that you're clicking on the handle, if you click and drag on the anchor point itself or any other part of the path it will end up making a copy.

Also, if you only have one handle on an anchor point, it usually means the connecting lines are curved one side of the point and straight on the other - if you have a straight line between anchor points, by default they won't have handles.

There are two options here to get your lost handle back, but just bare in mind that it will also change your shape by adding a curve to it, so you'll just have to have a play around with both the handles to get the shape back to looking how you'd like it.

First Option: click and hold on the 'pen tool' in the toolbar to get the sub-menu, and select the 'Convert Anchor Point Tool', then click on your anchor point and drag.

Second Option: using the 'Direct Selection' Tool, click on your anchor point and in the toolbar at the top of the screen, there should be an option that says 'Convert:' with two toggle image next to it. Select the smooth curve option, and you're done!

hope this helps! let me know if anything's not working for you.

Thanks! I was missing my handles and I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong! Problem solved!