Everything you need to know about the Pen Tool
Illustrator defines lines and shapes with anchor points (those little squares along a path). A line is describe by two points and is an open object (does not enclose an area). A line is the simplest of objects and is created with the pen tool by click/releasing at the desired start point and click/releasing again at the end point. Hold the shift key down if you want a perfectly horizontal/vertical or 45 degree line.
Make a few lines. Beware! Because you are creating an open path the pen tool is expecting you to continue drawing. In order to stop drawing you must deselect the pen tool select a selection arrow and reselect the pen to. Do this by mousing back to the selection tool and then go back to the pen tool or use a very handy short cut letter v (selection tool) letter p (pen tool). You do not have to do this if you close and object.
Try making a rectangle and notice a small open circle as you approach your starting point. Finally clicking with the pen tool on the start point closes the shape.
Bezier Curves and the Pen tool. This is how we will learn to draw smooth curves with the pen tool.
Pen tool (Bezier) curves are based on non-printing anchor points which anchor the path and non-printing direction points with handles which define the angle and depth of a curve.
Some people will find it very easy to draw pen tool curves, others will think it’s a demonic trick.
Some guidelines that might be helpful:
- Length and angle of handles "anticipate" the curves which follow
- The length of handles are equal to approximately 1/3 of the curve if it were straightened out into a line
-Place anchor points on either side of an arch..not in between
- The fewer the anchor points the smoother the curve
- Adjust a curve’s height and angle by dragging the direction points or grab the curve itself (direct selection tool) to adjust its height.
Watch your cursor! Symbology associated with it indicates what tool you have selected and what function you’re about to perform.
Pen tool symbols:
1. Before you start drawing it displays an x indicating that you’re starting a new object.
2. Once you start it becomes a regular pen indicating that you are about to add to an existing object.
3. If the pen tool gets close to and existing anchor point it will change to a pen with a ^ indicating that your about to edit the last anchor point. If you do so you will redraw the existing curve.
4. If your cursor gets close to and end anchor point "o" will show and if you click you will create a closed path or object.
Pen tool options: click/hold on pen tool icon (tool box)
Bezier editing tools:
Scissor tool: cuts a path where you click by adding two disconnected anchor points
Knife tool: slices through all unlocked visible objects. Drag across the object then select the object to move or delete.
Add anchor point tool: adds an anchor point to a path where you click.
Delete anchor point tool: Delete point when you click directly on it.
Convert direction point tool: Lets you convert an already drawn path form a smooth curve to a corner, from a corner to a curve or from a curve to a hinged curve two curves hinged at a point Short cut: option or alt key.