be it in PS or illustrator, to reduce point by point manipulation, I use a click and drag method for all my points when drawing / constructing an item. the handle acts like the angle of a cannon, the curve acts like the trajectory (sp) (the convert point tool makes other things possible) 1, you click to make a new a point and drag it , you get a smooth -two handled- point on the curve that is ballanced, ( how long you drag the handle on a point effects the elasticity of the curve between the previous point and the next point you want ) 2. repeat step 1 around the edge of said shape / object 3. click drag on your starting point when done. objects with holes in them is another area we'll get into later ---- hide paths is simmilar to how you show / hide the grid or you can open up the path pallette , and click below the path icon. (or try vector shape, it is a layer ) good luck, tell us how you go.