
Delete Anchor Point Tool-Option ( Alt): changes to Add Anchor Point Tool.Add Anchor Point Tool-Option ( Alt): changes to Delete Anchor Point Tool.Scissors Tool (C)– Option ( Alt): changes to Add Anchor Point Tool.Pen Tool hover over bezier handle + Option ( Alt): splits the curve (unhinges handles).Pen Tool-Option ( Alt) whilst creating a bezier curve: splits the curve (unhinges handles).Pen Tool hover over bezier handle + Command ( Control): allows editing of a bezier curve.Pen Tool-Option ( Alt): changes to Convert Anchor Point Tool.The anchor and adjoining path segments will be deleted, leaving two paths. Select an anchor point with the Direct Selection Tool (A) and click Delete.Hold Shift to constrain movements to 45°, 90°, 135° or 180° whilst creating or editing anchor points and Adobe Illustrator handles.Pen Tool hovers over end anchor point: changes to Continue Anchor Point Tool.Pen Tool hovers over path segment: changes to Add Anchor Point Tool.Pen Tool hovers over anchor point: changes to Delete Anchor Point Tool.(Caps Lock to toggle between pointer and cross hair) Prepared to begin path Whilst midway through creating or editing a path (with grid coordinates) When mouse button is pressed When ready to add an anchor point to path When ready to remove an 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 ready to convert path or anchor point When ready to or in the action of manipulating a curved path When ready to join new path to existing path 4. What Are the Secondary Mouse Controls (With Path Selected)? Each cursor intuitively makes you aware of the action you are about to perform. The Pen Tool takes on different forms depending on what you’re doing when you’re using it. Join two anchor points (Command/Control-J).Select Convert Anchor Point Tool (Shift-C).This will allow you to select an anchor point and move it to adjust your path to the way you want it. Move Anchor Point Illustrator Tool (Direct Selection Tool)Īnother useful tool to use is the Direct Selection Tool (A). Click on a path segment to divide it into two paths. Not part of the Pen Tool group, but definitely associated with it. Click on an anchor point with handles to remove them.Īlternatively, click and drag midway along a path to manipulate it as a curve. Convert Anchor Point (Shift-C)Ĭlick on an anchor point and drag to create bezier handles where there were none. Delete Anchor Point Tool (-)Ĭlick on an anchor point to remove it from the path. Note the tooltip which gives you precise pixel coordinates wherever your cursor pointsĬlick on a path segment to add anchor points. Click and drag to create paths with Bezier curves. What the best practices and suggestions are for using the Pen Toolįollow along with us over on our Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel: 1. How to Use the Pen Tool Functions Pen Tool (P)Ĭlick on the artboard to create paths with straight segments.
#Pen tool illustrator how to#
How to adjust the preference settings to your liking.How to use different shortcut keys to improve and speed up your workflow.How to move anchor points in Illustrator to create a path.What You Will Learn in This Adobe Illustrator Tutorial In this Illustrator Pen Tool tutorial, you’ll become comfortable using all of its features, from learning how to add anchor points in Illustrator to using bezier curves. This comprehensive Pen Tool Illustrator guide aims to introduce or remind you of features, shortcuts, and methods for working with what is arguably Adobe’s most essential tool. This way, you can digitalize your drawings using Pen Tool.If you use Adobe Illustrator, then it’s almost certain that you use the Pen Tool when creating your paths. Make it proper using a direction selection tool. After designing, unlock your original picture and move it. You have to finish drawing where you’ve started creating. Now using the pen tool and stroke color, start keeping points as shown in the video. Now to lock your photo, go to the object and click selection from the lock tab. Adjust the size of the image using anchor points. Click on embed so that your picture will save there. Pen tool’s other options: add an anchor point, delete anchor point and convert anchor point tool. To convert drawings into digital drawings, use the pen tool. From all of these, the pen tool is most important. There are different tools like pen tools, pencil tools, designing tools, and other symbols in drawing tools. In this video, we will see how to use drawing tools available in Illustrator.
