Techniques are disclosed for generating a reference point on a path of a vector image using a preview reference point. In some examples, a method includes receiving selection of a path included in one or more paths of a vector image presented on a display, thereby identifying an active path; causing display, via the display, of a preview reference point on the active path; receiving a moving off-path input gesture and causing the preview reference point to move along the active path correspondingly with the moving off-path input gesture; and in response to the moving off-path input gesture terminating, set a current position of the preview reference point on the active path to a final reference point on the path, the current position of the preview reference point on the active path corresponding to a last position of the off-path input gesture. The display may be a touch-sensitive display.