Pen tool function

hey all!
ive got a question about the pen tool!
ive notice that in illustrator when i use the pen tool if u make a click from one point to another and then add a point in the middle of the path,it doest make a nice curve like in photoshop rather than it makes a v shape,where as in ps if u do the same procedure u get a nice semi circle shape.is this because of the difference between vector and bitmap,or adobe wanted a slightly different function to thier programs?
best regards.

go wade mate!!!!!
that was interesting how simple and easy done with that reshape tool,very handy indeed!!!
thanx!

Similar Messages

LACK OF FULL PEN TOOL FUNCTIONALITY WHEN CREATING A SHAPE LAYER

Hello, I'm going through Chris Meyer's video course on being an AE apprentice and have spent over an hour on the following issue.
Here is what I know.
I know I am trying to create a shape layer, not a mask, to create a frame to surround the video of the green field on the attached screenshot. Therefore, I pressed "F2" to make sure I am doing so.
I want to define the borders of this picture frame by using the pen tool to draw a path on the layer entitled "Windy Peak".
I have highlighted that layer in my timeline.
This video was pasted on to a placeholder shape that I had created using Command Option "/" on my Mac.
I do have limited use of the pen tool, because it displays properly when I hover it above the borders of the video to be framed.
But I lack access to the toolbar controls I want to complete my assignment.
For example, I would like to create a gradient to define the internal coloration of this frame, but I have no use of the eyedropper when I click on the Color Picker.
Also, I am unable to access or manipulate any of the standard fill or stroke options for use of my pen.
This is what I know.
Thanks for your help! Matt
Message was edited by: Matt Dubuque to add the fact that the video had been pasted on to a placeholder shape image by pressing Command Option "/" on my Mac.

Thanks for pitching in Todd and Rick, I appreciate it very much.
As previously stated, I do have use of the pen tool, but it only has limited functionality as demonstrated by the path I created on the green meadow. My Tools Panel remains activated .
My core problem remains that I am unable to adjust the fill or stroke settings for my pen.
I have tried changing and resetting various work spaces and this has not helped.
I'm scratching my head here.
Matt

Ai Beginner, Can I make the pen tool function like it does in Photoshop?

I have been using photoshop to do various things over the last few years, and I am trying to move over to Illustrator. The biggest problem I have already is the function of the pen tool in Ai as opposed to Ps. I have to select an entirely different tool to move points? I can't just hold control and move the point? Is there a way that I can make the hot keys and what not function like the pen tool does in Ps. Why the change in the first place?
(Also, I am using CS4)

A feature request maybe? But then there's no-one from Adobe listening out there anyway, so what's the point?
That's not at all true I have made many feature reques and had quite a few realized. Although one of the bestones was killed.
But if you make a feature request the right way and you give a good argument for it they will look at it and see if they think it is practical for them to implement.
The key is practical and a really good reason for the feature.
And I do know from experience.

Capture with new MBP, plus Pen Tool Question...

Good Day everyone, I've searched the forums but have not been able to find my answer so I thought I'd post.
Question 1...
I've just received my new 17"MBP a few weeks ago. With my old PB, I would connect my camera via FW400 and capture the footage to an external LaCie drive via FW800 out of the computer.
Now with only one FW port on the MBP, it looks as though I need to capture via FW800 (4pin to 9pin) and go out to the LaCie via USB? Is this correct? How are any of you doing this. It bums me out that I can't go out FW800 to the drive. I suppose there is always the option of getting an Express Card 34 with FW800 connections?
Question 2...
Why can I not get my pen tool to work in the timeline? I want to adjust opacity and audio levels but am unable to do this. My old version of FCP (v5) seemed to let me do this. Overlays are 'on'? Any suggestions? I find it easier and faster to be able to do these functions from the timeline, there must be a way?
FYI...
New 17" MBP 2.66 w/4GB RAM
FCP (Studio2)
I'm sure question 2 is just something stupid that I just haven't set up.
Appreciate everyone's help as always!
Rene.

To be honest, nobody but Apple knows what Apple is thinking but usb is not a good alternative. I also don't know of too many professional post houses or broadcast studios that have anything to do with firewire infrastructure at all. You can get firewire 800 to firewire 400 adapter cables for cheap, search the internet. You can then daisy chain your camera/capture device in line with your storage device.
The better alternative is to get a express firewire card for your MacBook pro as you mentioned which would create two firewire buses; one for capturing, one for storage. Again, you can search the internet and here's a place to get you started http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Sonnet%20Technology/FW800E34/
I guess I would have thought maybe some research into a product of the expense of the MacBook Pro would have warranted some research about these things.

11 Nice Features with New Awesome & easy Magnetic Pen Tool (Updated)

1.      Scale effects during the scaling object, in the control bar there is more space (Empty) that will be the helpful to show you the example of the picture that I have made myself, when you transform any object, you will see these options in the control bar.
2.      Save preset of filters in filter gallery:- will be really powerful, it must be exchangeable so that we could send that preset to any one, it must be applicable on percentage(%) of document size, (depends on document resolution).
3.     Filter gallery must be the (live filter gallery), if this works on any raster object without converting to smart object, this will be helpful for creating live PSD.
4.     History panel:- history panel must save the history of document. It will be helpful and powerful, we could apply that history to any document like actions, and history should not be saved with document itself, it must be separate like actions, create 2 arrows in the bottom of panel like layer combs’ panel, to check the history, if any step is wrong we could be able to remove that step,
                              OR
5. Also create/convert history into action, see the pic as example,
If (to Adobe Photoshop Team) history saving is not a good idea! Then before closing the document you must convert history into actions, when any person saves document and has forgotten converting history into actions and wants to close the document, at that time that dialogue must be opened, (Do you want to convert your history into actions, when you open (that) document again you will miss history, and also must create a CHECK BOX for don’t show again.
6.     Layers Group:- In the group (folder) we move the objects with move tool and it moves all grouped objects that’s much better, but when we open the group (Folder), after opening it moves also all grouped object !!!, that’s not perfect, I suggest you how to do it, double click on grouped any object to open the group then move any object, and double click on any grouped object to close the group (folder). ( like Illustrator )
7.      Photoshop Extended can create powerful creative animation with audio and animation panel support completely the smart object and smart object makes animation really smart. But the problem is that it takes too much time to generate animation of few seconds and generated video file size is very large up to 1.GB.
        Here is solution, like new document dialogue box under the Device Central button it shows the document size, as hint, same way in the render video dialogue box it must show the file size and generating time and reducing file size hints.
        I had created (20 months ago) in Photoshop extend CS3 really awesome animation of earth, from where it starts it ends there, and shadows on earth are really awesome, map that moves to the shadow side, it changes from day to night and in the shadows you can see the roads’ and cities’ lights’ just like real night map photo it happens like naturally cause of smart object, I have two photos of the map day and night used for animation, you can see that creative animation on youtube.
(Link)= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sd86xGIkQxM
watch this animation in full screen Mode, b/c Youtube has reduced the Quality of Video.
8.   Welcome Screen:- Why welcome Screen is necessary?
                Adobe’s all products must be linked with Design sequence. (Interface)
Design Standard Suite which itself is a famous printing and publishing suite for design ( creation) layout, must keep same sequence of all products and should not affect the attraction,
                Example for Interface, now if CS6 all programs are created with new interface will you don’t change the Photoshop's interface???
Here are my Design Sequences Examples
These Pictures I have Designed in Illustrator
Photoshop with Welcome Screen Looking like Illustrator & Indesign now it matching with its Family.
Benifits of Welcome Screen for ( New ) user
A.    Many people don't know that Photoshop has free few samples with it these are nice example to understand that what photoshop can do!
B.    Photoshop Exchange : is really Necessary : for to exchange Workspace, color profile, Actions, Key Board Shortcuts, Layer Styles,    Swatches, Filter Gallery Presets & PSDs etc.
C.    This will be helpful for New Users TV.Adobe.com they will watch free teqchniques, as see this welcome screen.
D.     Any older user don't want to see the welcome screen that person can turn on that check box (Don't Show Again).
9. Pen Tool + Magnetic Pen Tool =
In my idea pen tool is the perfect tool for vector drawing it gives us perfect result as we want. but about those people like (Toys-R-Us (One Really Big Pen Tool Shortcoming) or other like him, if they can't understand, although pen tool is very easy to use, & he wants short key without going back for to breatck the handle, (for those people) if you want to create short key then short key should be "c or any easy" press to breat the handle, then press again to get back handle again during the using pen tool, or create a magnetic pen tool it must work like magnetic lasso tool works for selection, it will be the best & easy to use & to understand, during to use this tool if it goes to wrong way simply press back space key to go back to last step same like Magnetic Lasso.
(Awesome Magnetic Pen Tool)
or create pen tool like fireworks its pen tool shows next click's preview (very nice pen tool is in fireworks to understand ( really Awesome )
10. keyboard shortcuts like Illustrator for Blend Modes Next , Previous & Opacity 10 to 90, I had started to learn Illustrator CS3 & since CS3 I use these shortcuts for that, (~)tildi for next blend mode, Shift (~) tildi for previous mode, & opacity 10=1 key 20=2 to 90=9 key
11.PANEL ICONS Should be Attached under or above the tool Bar but not on Right or Left Side only ( like Indeign CS2 ).
Note :-
I shall appreciate your frank comments on the above suggestions.
Message was edited by: Muhammad Amjad Khan Abro
Message was edited by: Muhammad Amjad Khan Abro

OK Here goes my wannahaves...
1) create new table or sheet from a file instead of having to open the file and copy/paste into current document. ie "Insert Sheet from file", "Insert Table from File"
2) show linked data from a data source other than the address book - eg an ODBC data source or Filemaker database
3) Ability to paste a filtered table into a new table with just the found rows.
4) Ability to freeze rows and columns to allow for very wide or deep tables
5) When typing data into a cell, automatically adjust its width as you type. Depending on your enter key config, hitting enter puts a new line in the cell and adjusts the row height to fit.
6) Printer page formats default to regional standard: eg in Australia, UK - A4
7) Popup list or menu contents based on a data range: eg a list of categories
8) Media to be selected from anywhere on the system, not just in iTunes/iPhoto (eg most of my video is on an external hard drive)
9) "Autofilter" based on contents of the column.
10) Vlookup and other reference functions: need to be able to select a table (by name) as your range, a column/row (by name) to look up from and a column/row (by name) to retrieve. All functions should work this way, not just the basic ones.
11) When inserting a table you should be asked how many rows and columns.
12 "Format painter" - copy styles and other formatting from cell to cell and table to table.
13) Outlining based upon repeated cell values

What happened to the 'Shape Mode' shortcut keys on the Pen Tool?

For the longest time I've used both the Shape and Pen Tools for drawing vectors in Photoshop, but with CS6 I noticed a lot of weird behaviours. The one that is really getting to me is the lack of 'Shape Mode' shortcut keys when using the Pen Tool. When on the 'Shape Tool', fo example Cirle or Rectange, you can press the Shift to change the Shape Mode to 'Add', Alt to change it to 'Subtract' or both together to get 'Intersect'. This functionality used to exist on the Pen Tool too, but in CS6 I can't seem to get it working.
A collegue suggested to move over to Illustrator for all my Vector needs, and I know that this a good advice. However the lack of quick/integrated changing between 'Shape Modes' in either product (now) makes drawing things alot slower (for me).
Am I missing something, or is this feature now ommited in Photoshop CS6. If it is does anyone know if its possible to script something to allow this kind of behviour in Photoshop or Illustrator?
cheers,
Jon

The modifier keys "Alt|Opt", "Ctrl|Cmd" and "Shift" work differently depending on the tool being used but the individual keys seem to provide somewhat related functions.
For example the "Shift" key tends to be a constraining key Rectangle tools are constrained to square ellipse tools to Circles. However if there is an Active selection when you hold down the skey when you drag out a new selection it does not reset the current selection instead the new selection is not constrained and is added to the current selection. Shift constrains Transform tool to current aspect ratio, Shift constrains Line tools to vertical, horizontal or 45 degree angles. Pen tool like line tool shift constrains the angle.
The "Alt|Opt" key changes the way tools operate. Transforms are from the center not from the side or corner being dragged. Selection tools like the rectangle and ellipse will cause the intal drag out be from the center however it there is a Active selection dragging out a new selection will be subtracted from the current selection. This key changes the Pen tool from draw mode to anchor point adjusting.
The "Shift" and "Alt|Opt" modifier keys can be used together to have an operation be both constrain and from the center.
The "Ctrl|Cmd" key seems to change the way a tool works on a control anchor point. The Pen Tool changes from Pen Draw mode to Direct Selection tool to facilitate moving the point. Transform can be distorted a single corner point can be moved and distort the rectangle bounding box.
These keys may have other functions I don't know about. Photoshop has many features so many I don't know if any one person know and uses all of them. For the rest of us they seem to be Photoshop hidden secrets.

Pen tool and masking in cs6.

In previous versions I could create a custom (vector) mask using the pen tool in 2 easy steps.
Draw a shape then drag that shape to the image i wanted the mask on. Done.
This "feature" has been removed from CS6 and its extremely annoying. Or has it just become a lot more complicated to achieve this?
I know i can create a clipping mask using the shape layer but that requires another visible layer in the layers panel. Having "roto'd" 50 elements in previous versions in the same workspace gave me 50 layers (cleaning up the solid black shapelayers after). In CS6 it gives me 100 layers.
I know i can select the shape as a selection and then apply a mask but that would make the mask a solid. I want to be able to move my tangents around etc. 100% non-destructively.
I work 100% non destructive and yes, my psd's become very large but thats no biggie, my computer can handle it. I don't want to rasterize.
If you have CS5.5 or earlier versions, create a shape and drag that shape to the layer you want to mask, remove the fill layer and you'll see what i mean. Thats what i want to be able to do in CS6.
Is this 100% gone from CS6?

Kenneth Mcitalo wrote:
"If you have CS5.5 or earlier versions, create a shape and drag that shape to the layer you want to mask, remove the fill layer and you'll see what i mean. Thats what i want to be able to do in CS6.
Is this 100% gone from CS6?"
You are being affected by an almighty f**kup by the Photoshop CS6 User Interface designers.
With CS6, Adobe try to pretend that Shape Layers are a wonderful new type of layer. The reality is that they are the old type Fill Layer with Vector Mask and the addition of a stroke attribute. There are numerous workflow disruptions caused by the "new Shape Layer" pretense.
Here's how to get the functionality to which you are accustomed...
The VM of a Shape Layer is only displayed in the Layers panel when the VM is disabled. To disable it, shift-click its "Shape Path" thumbnail in Properties panel. (You can record an Action of shift-clicking that thumbnail to create your own Disable Vector Mask command which can be run when the Properties panel is closed.) The revealed VM can now be dragged to another layer in the Layers panel.
By the way, you can draw a path and directly create a Vector Mask for a regular pixel layer without making a Shape first. Draw the path with the Pen Tool or with a shape tool set to "Path" mode in its options bar, then Cmd/Ctrl-click the Add Mask button at bottom of Layers Panel when the pixel layer is targeted.

Smart guides and using the pen tool

This is concerning CS5 15.0.1, on 10.6.4.
If I am drawing a shape with the pen tool (bézier) and I turn on/off smart guides while at it, the pen tool looses the connection to the last point.
Who the heck @Adobe thought that would be helpful? Every time I have to reconnect to the last dot.
Anyone else here noticed that glitch?

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FreeHand could do that some 10 Years ago!
FreeHand could do that 25 years ago—in fact, even before FreeHand existed. Unlike Illustrator, FreeHand provides three basic point types: Corner, Curve, and Connector. Connector Points ensure tangency between a curved and a straight segment. It's a feature of Fontographer, which was FreeHand's progenitor.
But that is far from the only basic superiority of FreeHand over Illustrator's hideous Bezier interface.
JET

How to reset Pen tool or changing it back to normal? (Adobe AI)

Hello everybody. I'm having a problem with the Pen tool in Adobe Illustrator and I don't know exactly how to reset it or make it function like the Pen tool in Adobe Photoshop.
As you can see below, when I'm trying to draw the shadows of face, hair and shoulders, it somehow fills unexpectedly and unwanted.. I just want to draw the anchor points first and then fill it with black color.. Just like in Adobe Photoshop CS6, see second image.
Any suggestions? I used Photoshop for over 4 years, and I'm not really that expert on Adobe Illustrator.
Thank you in advance!
Adobe Illustrator CC
The problem below.
Adobe Photoshop CS6
This is how exactly I want to make it work below.

Just apply the fill color "None" to the path.
See manual on how to apply fills and strokes.

Photoshop CS4 Pen Tool Visibility Problem

I recently upgraded to CS4 and started using Photoshop to do some work. Working on some clipping path with the pen tool I've come to notice how incredibly light the pen tool outline is. I cant see where or what im tracing cause I can't tell where the line is unlike the other earlier creative suites where the line was visible.
Anyone have any ideas on making this outline more visible so I can actually see what I am doing. Input would be much appreciated.

I am having the exact same problem with Photoshop CS 4 on my MacBook OSX 10.5.7 4 GB RAM Intel GMA X3100: graphics card
When I enable Open GL in PS CS4 preferences, the pen tool line is too light, too thin to use and the anchor points aren't accurate , I have to disable Open GL to get the normal pen function back. Adobe should get us a fix to make Open GL compatable with all graphics cards. All functions in Open GL work fine except the Pen Tool.

FCP - Quits when using pen tool to enter nodes in the motion tab

Hi all.
I'm encountering a persistent problem with FCP unexpectedly quitting on both version 4.5HD and version 5. The problem occurs when I open a clip from the timeline in the viewer and access the motion tab to adjust the scale of a clip or the position of a clip with the pen tool. I can enter four nodes successfully with no problems, but if I then go back to the clip or open a new one, I can enter maybe three nodes maximum before they cease to register, then the beachball appears for half a second and FCP quits with the "unexpected" message.
This problem occurs across all machines whether I'm running FCP by itself or with other applications running in the background. I am using 10.4.6 on my laptop (iBook G4 with 1GB of RAM and FCP 4.5HD), 10.3.9 and FCP 4.5HD on an eMac, 10.4.6 and FCP Studio 5.0.4 on a G4 Tower ...
Has anyone experienced a similar problem, and does anyone have any thoughts on causes/fixes for it?
Thanks for reading.
L.
Either: iBook G4, eMac, G4 Tower, Mac-Mini, 20" Intel iMac Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Hi John,
Thanks. I figured it out so there’s no need.
Aloha,
Rick Doyle
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What happened to my pen tool?

Everytime I've ever used FC I've had access to changing the audio levels right in the timeline with the pen tool. . why can't I do that now?
I've looked this up in my book and can't find a clear answer.
Also, helpers I've asked "in person" are telling me to just double click on the audio so it shows up in the viewer. . .that is fine temporarily, but I really would like it to work the way it did before.
Have I turned something off without knowing?
Thanks, Jess
soon to acquire MacBook Pro & a comparable Mac desktop Mac OS X (10.4.5) on the brink of really "getting" (understanding) FinalCut & related programs

option+w turns on the overlays and the little pink rubber band levels in the timeline. With that on select the pen tool. Or open the audio mixer and use the 'record audio keyframes' function for realtime playback control.

Pen tool automatically adding points

I recently got a new computer and reloaded all of the Adobe software (CC).
Here is the issue: When I am using the pen tool, I will try to put a point in place and pull out the curve handles. <click and drag, then release mouse button> But if I hold the mouse button down for more than just a second, it will act as if I've let the mouse button go and have depressed the button again. I want to put down one point and drag the curve to where I want it but it has placed that point, dragged it part way, placed another point and I'm now dragging THAT point's curve handle. It really messes up the shape.
Also, when I am trying to create the lines, the guide line is seemingly trying to snap to some kind of grid.
I want to be able to place my points and drag the curves where I want them and also, I am really not a fan of ANY snap to functions. I would like them all gone. Can anyone help me solve these?

CHeck your mouse. Check if a different moseu works better.
For all the snap functions, take a look at
- the View menu
- the Preferences for Pen and Anchor point
- the preferences for smart guides
- smart guides themselves
Also you might want to check "Align to pixel grid"
All of these functions and options are documented well in the manual and in these forums. Just use your favorite search engine.

Smooth path tool (for pen tool).

Hello, all.
I believe I remember using this tool or function in the past but can't seem to find it now.
In the past I have traced the outline of an image using the pen tool by placing as many points along the countour or outline as possible. Once I closed the path the appearance was not perfectly smooth. I remember using a tool after that to smooth the path that would eliminate any uneven or jagged edges and make the curves really smooth.
Does anyone know how to do this in CS6?
Thank you in advance.

Hi, DrStrik9.
Perhaps I didn't explain it well enough.
I have tried using bezier curvers and the method you describe but found the process a little tedious and time-consuming.
The method I used before required the placement of as many points along the outline as practically possible with a path smoothing tool to smooth the closed path (it may work with open paths too). My memory tells me I used this technique with the pen tool but it may have been a different drawing too.
Are you aware of a path smoothing method like the one I described?
Thanks in advance.

Any way to temporarily ignore smart guides while using the pen tool?

I'm having a hate and love relationship with Smart Guides. When I want them they're bad; when I don't they're good.
While trying to do some things with the pen tool, I am frequently faced with the smart guides snapping my tool around without my wanting it snapped. I'm not really that good with the pen tool yet, so it's making an uphill climb even harder when they interfere.
Now I know that I can disable smart guides by doing Ctrl-U, but this has the side effect of releasing my pen from the current curve I'm working on. When I click the end of that curve to start where I left off it changes the anchor to a corner instead of curve and messes up what I was going on. This wouldn't be such a problem except that I sometimes want the guides while I'm still on the same curve so I don't want to fully disable them as I'm working and then have to re-enable to fix a spot, know what I mean?
So, is there a key I can hold down to temporarily turn disable smart guides or ignore them in some way? I've hit quite a few keys trying this out so I'm guessing no. This probably indicates I just need to improve my skill to learn how to work with this best.

At least up to Illustrator 13, there is a trick or rather a lousy hack that involves the Snap to Grid command and its talent to temporarily disable any Smart Guides functionality. The following has to be prepared in case you're going to execute the hack as an action:
1. In the Actions Palette, create a new Action set. Call it 'Disable Smart Guides'.
2. Within the Action set, create a new action. Call it 'Disable Smart Guides', assign an F-key to the action, let's say F3, and hit Enter.
3. In the Actions Palette menu, select the Insert Menu Item command and go to View > Snap to Grid
4. Stop recording the action
5. Go to Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid
6. In the Gridline Every text box, enter 0,01 mm. It's the minimum value you can set here.
7. In the Subdivisions text box, enter 1000, the max. value accepted here.
Now, take any document, turn on Smart Guides, make sure Snap to Grid is turned off, and start drawing a path. Hit F3 and continue drawing the path. Hit F3 again as soon as you need your Smart Guides again.
As you can see, after hitting F3 to enable Snap to Grid, the path will not be interrupted when placing the next point. And as you've got a kind of microscopic Grid settings, Snap to Grid has almost no influence on where the points are placed. In fact, it still snaps, but due to the absurd Grid settings it's rather negligible.
This palpable workaround was originally invented by a young lady located around Edmonton in Canada.

Pen tool function

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