“Pen Tool” does wonders in Adobe Illustrator. It’s the most amazing tool in Adobe Illustrator. Make custom shapes, drawings, logos, art, and any type of design that you want. Draw Straight lines, or curve lines, or create corner points for the designs you have created.
The “Pen tool” is also used to cut part of any image by selecting the part that you need and Making Clipping Mask. There are multiple uses of Pen Tool. Some of them will be discussed here. If you are a new learner of Adobe Illustrator and have no idea about using “Pen Tool” then this tutorial is for you. We will give you a step-by-step guide for using the “Pen Tool”.
So let’s start.
What is Pen Tool?
A pen Tool is used to create a straight or curved line by using Anchor points. It can also be used to create different shapes.
Pen Tool Filling in Illustrator
If you draw something and the “Pen Tool” automatically fills the shape, set “Fill Tool” to none. In this case the shape will not be filled with any color. Later you can use any color to fill in the shape.
How to Use Pen Tool in Adobe Illustrator
Pen Tool can be used for multiple purposes in Adobe Illustrator like tracing, creating shapes, and much more. Pen Tool works amazing if you want to create curved lines and trace the strokes. You can create straight lines using the pen tool that can help you to draw any object or design for billboards or flyers. Because lots of time while drawing an illustration, you need straight lines. You can close the path without any worry. All you just need is to combine the ending with the starting point.
Where is the Pen tool in Illustrator
Select the “Pen Tool” from the left toolbar in the Adobe Illustrator workspace.
Pen tool Illustrator shortcuts
The short key to select “Pen Tool” from the keyboard is “P”.
Cut out part of an image using Pen Tool
“Pen Tool” can also be used to cut out part of any image.
Step 1: Make anchor points around the object that you want to cut out from the image.
Step 2: Select the image and the selected part of the image that you need to cut out.
Step 3: Make a Clipping Mask from “Properties Panel” > “Quick actions” “ Make Clipping Mask”, or right-click and select “Make Clipping Mask” from the list of options.
Step 4: The part will be cut out of the image.
Create Straight lines in Adobe Illustrator
Step 1: Click on any area on the artboard to make an “Anchor” point.
Step 2: Press and hold the “Shift” key from the keyboard to create a straight line using the “Pen Tool”.
Step 3: Click on the other area to create a second “Anchor” point.
Step 4: Press “Esc” or “Enter” from the keyboard to end the line.
Create Curve lines in Adobe Illustrator
If you want to create “Curve lines” in Adobe Illustrator then the following are the steps you should follow:
Draw a line on the artboard using “Pen Tool” don’t leave right after clicking, drag after clicking to make a curved line.
Drag to any position to make your desired curved line.
Create a Shape using Pen Tool
You can also create a rectangle, a polygon, a square, or any shape using a pen tool. All you need to do is create “Anchor” points of any shape that you want to create.
How to make shapes with Pen tool in Illustrator
Any shape of your choice can be drawn, curve any side of the shape if you want to by clicking and then dragging to create a curve. When the starting and ending “Anchor” connects, the path automatically closes.
Create Anchor point
If you want to create more “Anchor” points of any shape.
Click on the path of any shape to create a new “Anchor” point.
Delete Anchor Point
“Pen Tool” is also used to delete any “Anchor” point of the shape. Let’s see how this happens:
Step 1: Create a “Rectangle” from the “Rectangle Tool” from the toolbar on the artboard.
Step 2: Now, select “Pen Tool” from the left toolbar.
Step 3: Click on any “Anchor” point of the shape to delete it.
Step 4: Here is the shape after deleting an “Anchor” point.
“Pen Tool” allows you to do multiple tasks. It’s the most amazing tool for creating straight or curved lines, creating shapes, cutting any part of the image through a clipping mask, and much more. With our tutorial, you have learned new techniques of “Pen Tool”. Surely you will learn more when you will start working with it.
You have learned to use the Pen tool in Illustrator.
In this tutorial, you have learned to use the Pen Tool in Adobe Illustrator. There are multiple purposes for using Pen Tool. Whether you want to trace images or want to create shapes, all can be done.
Have More Questions?
If you have any questions related to using Pen Tool, you can ask in the comments below.
How to use the pen tool in illustrator to trace
Pen Tool can also be used to Trace images in Adobe Illustrator. Select the Pen Tool and click on the areas that you want to trace by adding anchor points. At the end attach the starting and ending anchor points. The image will be traced using the Pen Tool.
All Done. Enjoy!
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