Illustrator's Pen Tool: The Comprehensive Guide

by Ian Yates

Functions
Pen Tool (P)
Click on artboard to create paths with straight segments, click and drag to create paths with Bezier curves.

Add Anchor Point Tool (+)

Click on a path segment to add anchor points.

Delete Anchor Point Tool (-)

Click on anchor point to remove from path.

Convert Anchor Point (Shift + C)

Click on an anchor point and drag to create bezier handles where there were none,
click on an anchor point with handles to a remove them.

Scissors Tool (C)

Not part of the Pen Tool group, but definitely associated with it. Click on a path segment to divide into two paths.
Keyboard Shortcuts
P Select Pen Tool

+ Select Add Anchor Point Tool

- Select Delete Anchor Point Tool

Shift + C Select Convert Anchor Point Tool

C Select Scissors Tool

The Cursors
The Pen Tool takes on different forms depending on what you're doing when you're using it.
Each one intuitively makes you aware of the action you are about to perform.
Caps Lock to toggle between pointer and cross hair

Prepared to begin path

Whilst midway through creating or editing a path

When mouse is pressed

When hovered over path section; to add an anchor point to path

When hovered over anchor point; to remove anchor point from path

When hovered over begin point of path; to close path

When hovered over endpoint of existing path; to continue path

When hovered over existing anchor point

Secondary Mouse Controls (With Path Selected)

1. Pen Tool hover over anchor point: changes to Delete Anchor Point Tool

2. Pen Tool hover over path segment: changes to Add Anchor Point Tool

3. Pen Tool hover over end anchor point: changes to Convert Anchor Point Tool
Keyboard Controls
Hold Shift to constrain movements to 45°, 90°, 135° or 180° whilst creating or editing anchor points and handles.
Select anchor point with Direct Selection Tool (A) and click Delete. Anchor and adjoining path segments are
deleted leaving two paths.
Pen Tool + Alt: changes to Convert Anchor Point Tool.
Pen Tool hover over bezier handle + Control: allows editing of bezier curve.
Pen Tool + Alt whilst creating bezier curve: splits curve (unhinges handles).
Pen Tool hover over bezier handle + Alt: splits curve (unhinges handles).
Scissors Tool (C) + Alt: changes to Add anchor point tool.
Add Anchor Point Tool + Alt: changes to Delete Anchor Point Tool.
Delete Anchor Point Tool + Alt: changes to Add Anchor Point Tool.

Preferences
You can access the preferences which influence the Pen Tool (P) and other related tools by going to
Illustrator > Preferences > Selection & Anchor Display.

Tolerance
Radius of the selection area around anchor points. Must be between 1 and 8 pixels, 1px if you're deadly accurate
with your mouse or have a lot of anchors in close range of one another, 8px if you prefer less precision. 3px is the
default value.
Object Selection by Path Only
When checked, this option allows selection of objects only by clicking their paths. Clicking on their filled areas is
ineffective, comparable to working in Outline mode (View > Outline).

Snap to Point
Also checkable via View > Snap to Point, though via the Selection & Anchor Display dialogue the tolerance can
also be determined from 1 to 8 pixels. This value again represents the radius around anchor points. When lin-
ing up two objects, anchor points from one will snap to points of the other should they be positioned within the
specified range.

Anchor Point and Handle Display

Determines the way in which your path anchor points and handles are displayed.

Highlight Anchors on Mouseover

When checked, highlights anchor points when hovered over with cursor.

Show Handles When Multiple Anchors are Selected

When checked, this options displays the handles of points when multiple points are selected.
Otherwise, handles of multiple selected points are not displayed.
Other Shortcuts and Tips
Select the Direct Selection Tool (A) before selecting the Pen Tool (P). Hold + Control to give you access to the
last tool selected (in this case the Direct Selection Tool) for editing of paths and handles without deselecting the
path.

With path selected, use the Spacebar to give you access to the Hand Tool (H). Move your screen without dese-
lecting the path or changing tools.

While creating or editing an anchor point, click and Click-Hold + Spacebar to alter the position of the anchor
point you're working on.

With Direct Selection Tool (A) select the end point and starting point of path. Control + J to Join.

With Direct Selection Tool (A) select the end point and starting point of path. Control + Alt + Shift + J to join
and average simultaneously.

To smoothen a path by reducing the number of anchor points open the Simplify dialogue (Object > Path >
Simplify) and adjust according to your needs.
Conversely, should you want more anchor points to improve manipulation go to Object > Path > Add Anchor
Points. A new anchor point will appear after every existing anchor point on the selected path.

To prevent the Pen Tool (P) from changing it's function when interacting with other anchor points or paths,
open the general preferences dialogue (Illustrator > Preferences > General) and check the Disable Auto Add/
Delete option. The Pen Tool will now only draw paths.

Best Practice Suggestions

Drag handles from the first anchor point when beginning a curved path.
Drag your handles around just one third of the curve you're creating for a smooth path.

Position anchor points on a curve where the paths begin to change direction, not in the middle of it's curve.

Be sparing with your use of anchor points, fewer points = neater path.