Vector Pen Tool Technique 2017
Illustrator CC 2017 • InDesign CC 2017 • Photoshop CC 2017
This is the Pen tool with an beside it, ready to draw. In To adjust a direction point, press the Cmd/Ctrl key
Illustrator versions older than 2017, you should first click on and the Pen tool changes to the Direct Selection tool.
the Direct Selection tool and then the Pen tool. This allows Drag the handle to adjust the symmetrical curve.
the Cmd/Ctrl key to show the Direct Selection tool. Notice the arrowhead icon as you drag.
Click to create anchor points. Each next click To convert a sharp corner to a curve, hold the Opt/Alt
creates a straight line segment or sub-path. While key to get the (Convert|Direction|Anchor) Point tool;
drawing, the pen shows a delta shape. then drag, pulling direction points out of the anchor.
Hover the Pen tool over the first anchor point and it To convert a curve to a sharp corner, hold down the
shows the close path symbol. Click or drag to close. Opt/Alt key and click the curve anchor point. The
An example of a closed path is a rectangle, ellipse, direction points retract; and the formerly curved
polygon, triangle, or other shape. anchor point becomes a sharp corner.
Hover the Pen tool over an selected sub-path or line To join onto an open path, hover the Pen tool over
segment, and the Pen tool will change to the Add an end anchor point. The tool shows a forward slash.
Anchor Point tool. See the plus + sign. Click to add Click (for straight) or drag (for curves) to rejoin the path
a new anchor point. + and continue the pen drawing.
Hover the Pen tool over an existing anchor point and To join two separate open paths, hover over the end
it changes to the Delete Anchor Point tool. See the anchor point of the first path and click; then hover
minus sign. Click to delete an anchor from a path. – over the other path’s end anchor point; see the
join path icon; and click to join the paths.
To move an anchor point, press the Cmd/Ctrl
key, and the Pen changes temporarily to the white New since Illustrator CC 2014 is the path segment
Direct Selection tool. In older Illustrator, click the reshape function, giving you the ability to drag a curved
Direct Selection tool before using the Pen tool. path segment using the Anchor Point tool, the Direct
Selection tool, or holding Opt/Alt in the Pen tool.
Drag the mouse to create anchor points with
Bézier direction points that control curves. This New since Illustrator CC 2014 is the rubber band preview
sets the anchor where you begin the drag and which displays a preview of the path that will be drawn from
the direction point where you release the drag. the previous anchor point to the current pointer position.
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