Hi Dan,

> why not just use the "Through Points" curve and then adjust the control points
> as needed afterwards to make sure it is smooth?

That can work too, but often times the "Through Points" method can introduce wiggles in the shape more easily. There tends to be more constraint and force applied to the result with that method while using control points tends to make a more relaxed shape as the result.

But it is possible to use "Through points" as well - wiggles can be reduced if you use a fairly regular point spacing pretty much just like in my screencap above, just place the points directly on the outline rather than to the outside of it.

With "Through points" try to avoid irregular point spacing like having several points tightly clustered together and then a few more points a much longer distance apart from those, that really tends to make unwanted hooking and wiggles when that type of stuff is being done.

- Michael