Hold Shift to constrain movements to 45°, 90°, 135° or 180° whilst creating or editing anchor points and 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. 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).Click on a path segment to divide into two paths. Not part of the Pen Tool group, but definitely associated with it. Convert Anchor Point (Shift-C)Ĭlick on an anchor point and drag to create bezier handles where there were none, click on an anchor point with handles to remove them.Īlternatively, click and drag midway along a path to manipulate it as a curve. Delete Anchor Point Tool (-)Ĭlick on anchor point to remove from path. Note the tooltip which gives you precise pixel coordinates wherever your cursor points Add Anchor Point Tool (+)Ĭlick on a path segment to add anchor points.

1. Functions Pen Tool (P)Ĭlick on artboard to create paths with straight segments, click and drag to create paths with Bezier curves. This comprehensive guide aims to introduce or remind you of features, shortcuts, and methods for working with what is arguably Adobe’s most essential tool. If you use Adobe Illustrator, then it’s almost certain that you use the Pen Tool when creating your paths.

Curve tool illustrator