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Posted on 03/02/07 9:24:12 PM |
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Riki63
* Posts: 12 Reply |
Pen tool
I am really trying to learn the pen tool. But I am almost certain I am doing something wrong. I was watching one of the videos that came with the book and it looks like Steve gets to adjust his line as he goes. I have to plod away knowing that it's wrong, finish, go back, delete the points and then reinsert new points to adjust. Is there some way I can work with the handles as I go and then return to drawing my shape? Right now it is quicker to zoom to 300% and use a single pixel paint brush in Quick Mask, but I'm not doing that - ooohhhh noooo, I am committed to learning the pen tool so I just spend the three weeks to outline something. Lucky I don't have to work for a living. Any help? |
Posted on 03/02/07 11:01:24 PM |
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David Asch
Tech Support Posts: 1913 Reply  |
Re: Pen tool
Yes. Hold Cmd/Ctrl and click a point. Keep holding it and use the handles to adjust the curve. _________________ Leap and the net will appear |
Posted on 04/02/07 00:12:30 AM |
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Riki63
* Posts: 12 Reply |
Re: Pen tool
Thank you, I thought I had tried that, but lost the end and couldn't pick it back up, but now I try and it just happens for me. I appreciate your help. |
Posted on 05/02/07 6:38:24 PM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7052 Reply  |
Re: Pen tool
The pen tool is tricky. All I can say is bear with it, and it will click eventually. If it's any consolation, I first experimented with a Pen tool when I got Illustrator 88 in, er, 1988, and it took me three months to get the hang of it! |
Posted on 05/02/07 8:29:55 PM |
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juliehollie
* Posts: 31 Reply  |
Re: Pen tool
"Lucky I don't have to work for a living" LOL, you sound like me. I don't quit until I get it. |
Posted on 05/02/07 11:04:03 PM |
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rufus
Destructive Demon Posts: 243 Reply  |
Re: Pen tool
I also had problems learning how to use the Pen Tool. Here's my advice on how to master it. There are two kinds of point. A corner point, made by clicking. This has no handles and the line is not curved by the point. A curve point, made by clicking and dragging. This has two handles whose direction and length influence the way that the line curves as it enters and leaves the point. As it is difficult to accurately judge the direction and length of a curve point as you draw, it is essential to know how to modify them as you go. This is achieved firstly by the Direct Selection Tool (white arrow). It can be selected from the tool menu (but it is much better to access it by pressing the Ctrl key). This allows you to select and reposition a point as required. Secondly by the Convert Point Tool. It can be selected from the Pen Tool fly-out (but it is much better to access it by pressing the Alt key when over a control handle). When a ^ appears click and move the handle to adjust the curve as required. Use these two tools regularly as you add your points and use them again when your path is complete. Other useful Pen Tool features are: Add Anchor Point. Position the Pen Tool on the line where you want to add a point and click when a + appears. Delete Anchor Point Tool. Position the Pen Tool on the point that you want to delete and click when a - appears. Keep the number of points to a minimum; it's surprising how few you need. Practice, practice, practice by adding, deleting, moving and modifying points around a simple shape. Undo any mistakes with Ctrl-Alt-Z. After a while you’ll wonder what all the fuss was about. Best of luck rufus |
Posted on 06/02/07 12:38:49 PM |
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paul_2006
Guest Reply |
Re: Pen tool
I have trouble with the pen tool too. Here is a yellow freehand shape I am trying to follow with the pen. I had to reposition a few points along the way but I think I have got it fairly close now. Do you think I have used too many points?  |
Posted on 06/02/07 1:49:52 PM |
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dave.cox
Marquee Master Posts: 518 Reply  |
Re: Pen tool
Hi Paul, I tried to select your shape, and found I could get a much smoother selection using about half the points. Try going for roughly 1 to 12 to 10, etc. When you place your points, click and drag to get the handles. You can also go back and move a point by using control click on a point already placed, or move the handles by using alt click on the handle of a point already placed. Also be sure that you have rubber band mode enabled so you can see the lines as you adjust them. 
You can find this on the tool bar for the pen, next to the customer shape tool. Look for the down arrow, click it to open. See image below. |
Posted on 06/02/07 1:51:22 PM |
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dave.cox
Marquee Master Posts: 518 Reply |
Re: Pen tool
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Posted on 06/02/07 7:13:19 PM |
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rufus
Destructive Demon Posts: 243 Reply |
Re: Pen tool
You can easily reduce the number of points by positioning them only where there is a change of direction. I used five in the example below 
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Posted on 06/02/07 9:28:36 PM |
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rufus
Destructive Demon Posts: 243 Reply |
Re: Pen tool
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Posted on 09/02/07 10:34:23 AM |
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paul_2006
Guest Reply |
Re: Pen tool
Thank you both. I was putting a new point where I saw the curve change. I didn't think it was possible to get a double bend between two points. I think I shall spend the weekend doing nothing but pen practice. |
Posted on 14/02/07 2:38:51 PM |
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Riki63
* Posts: 12 Reply |
Re: Pen tool
At some point, something just "clicked", now I can (somewhat) feel how to use this tool. Here's my method . . . click somewhere, then click at the end of the curve I want to make. I pull it to the shape as best I can, then press the alt key (pc user) and adjust those handles to my heart's content. Release the alt key and make my next point. Also, I love CtrlZ so much I would marry it if it could shovel snow, financially support me and deliver a decent kiss . . . anybody heard of any improvements such as those for future releases? |