Pen Tool Pen Tool

The Pen Tool is used to precisely draw curves and shapes. The drawn path can be converted to a text frame or text path.

Node Types

Pen Mode, Smart Mode, Polygon Mode, Line Mode

It lets you draw straight lines or curves as a single segment (like a section) or multiple segments. Segments are delimited by 'on-curve' nodes which possess 'off-curve' control handles. These handles can lengthened, shortened and moved to control the shape of the curve.

It has seven modes which are available to select in the context toolbar. Each mode changes how the line is drawn.

Pen Mode Pen Mode

The most powerful and precise mode used to create bézier curves and shapes with smooth or sharp corners and nodes.

Smart Mode Smart Mode

Easily create flowing curves and shapes by clicking and placing nodes.

Polygon Mode Polygon Mode

Used to draw straight lines with sharp nodes and shapes with straight edges.

Line Mode Line Mode

Used to draw single-segment straight lines that self terminate.

Preserve selection Preserve selection when creating new curves

Used in conjunction with any one of the other modes, it keeps the previously drawn curve(s) selected so that their nodes and geometry can be more easily snapped to as you draw.

Add New Curve Add new curve to selected curves object

Used in conjunction with any one of the other modes, it creates additional curves on the same layer as the initial curve.

Rubber Band Mode Rubber Band mode

Used in conjunction with any one of the other modes, it previews the next segment to be drawn before placement of the new node. Your cursor position is followed.

Settings

The following settings can be adjusted from the context toolbar:

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