Also called Bézier Control Point (BCP) or off-curve point.

Handles are control toggles placed by the designer to define the curvature of a segment. Their length and relative position must follow certain rules to ensure the contour remains functional and compatible, especially when exported to formats like TrueType that use quadratic curves.

GOING FURTHER

Cubic and quadratic Bézier curves differ in structure: cubic curves allow more control with fewer points, while quadratic curves often require additional points to approximate the same shape. During export to TrueType, extra points may be added to preserve the original curvature from a PostScript-based source.

When working with cubic curves in an editable source file, keep in mind:
• both handles should stay on the same side of the curve to maintain a strictly concave or convex shape. If the curvature direction changes, converting to quadratic may lead to poor approximations or unnecessary extra points;
• handles should be balanced (roughly equal in length) to avoid irregularities and bumpy curves;
• avoid intersecting handles on the same segment, as this can also cause distorsions.