How to Use The Pen Tool in Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a graphic design software program that features a wide range of functions that help mimic hand drawn artistic tools. The pen tool is a foundational tool in Illustrator that often causes frustration for new users.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e50rYxAHc1w This tool allows users to create lines and curves to create or enhance objects in free form fashion. It is considered one of the top five tools in Adobe Illustrator.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e50rYxAHc1w You can learn how to use the pen tool in Adobe Illustrator by trial and error, or you can review this graphic design tutorial to quickly ramp up to speed.

Open Adobe Illustrator on your computer. Locate the tools palate on the left side of your screen. The third icon in the left column is the pen tool. You can press the button with your mouse to activate it, or your can press the letter "P" on your keyboard. If you want to bring out the full pen menu onto your screen, click on the black triangle in the corner of the pen icon on the tool palate and hold it while you move over to the white vertical bar on the pop-out window. You simply click on the bar and a separate pen window will appear that you can move anywhere on the screen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e50rYxAHc1w

Create lines with the pen using anchor points. Place your pen where you want your line to start and click your mouse. Move the pen to the end of where you want the line to finish and click again. A line will automatically appear connecting the two anchor points. You can create a shape by using muliple anchor points and connecting the final point with the original point. Simply click on the first point to close the shape. If you want to delete an anchor point, click on the "delete anchor point" icon in the pen menu and click on the point you want to delete. You can add an anchor point to an existing shape by pressing the "add anchor point" button on the pen menu and then click where you want to add an additional point.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e50rYxAHc1w

Create one anchor point, then click where you want the end of your curve and hold. Move out from the point while still holding the mouse button down. Direction handles will appear. The farther you stretch the handle, the greater the curve angle. You can also move the direction handles to adjust the shape and direction of your curve. Once you have the curve how you want it, release the mouse. You can then create another curve that mirrors your first curve by creating a new anchor point.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e50rYxAHc1w

Check out the how tos below to learn other tips for Adobe Illustrator:

1. How to Use Brushes in Adobe Illustrator
2. How to Use the Auto Trace in Adobe Illustrator
3. How to Create Your Own Brush in Adobe Illustrator
4. How to Use the Gradient Tool in Adobe Illustrator
5. How to Use the Layers Panel in Adobe Illustrator
6. How to Use the Pen Tool in Adobe Illustrator
7. How to Use the Selection Tool in Adobe Illustrator