Pen Tool Practice app

I know I will never get anywhere in Illustrator unless I can get a handle on the pen tool. It would be so handy to have a small application or game that uses the the pen tool as a way to navigate/trace around a maze or whatever to build my skills. I would so much rather gain a degree of pen tool mastery than play Words with Friends with my sister-in-law.
Does such an app exist?
Thanks
Joanne

A good learning exercise is to trace type.
Turn off all snaps (Snap to Grid, Snap to Points, SmartGuides).
Set some large type, using a quality normal sans-serif typeface which contains Type 1 outlines, not True Type outlines. (Because Type 1 outlines are drawn using cubic Bezier curves, whereas TrueType outlines are stored as quadratic Beziers. Type 1 outlines have fewer anchors and better represent the way you would efficiently draw paths in a drawing program.)
Give the text a light colored fill. Move it to its own Layer and lock the Layer, Draw on a separate front Layer.
Start with simple straight glyphs (E, A, T, F). Then use characters with bowls (B, P, R) to introduce smoothPoints. Then work on round glyphs (c, e, f, g, o) to involve curves which involve only smoothPoints and/or bothmoothPoints and cornerPoints which must work together. Then work on charcters which require ess curves (a, S).
As you proceed, always try to achieve each shape with the fewest anchorPoints, and by figuring out the fewest moves by using the momentary keyboard shortcuts (alt, shift, altShift).
Occasionally convert the text object you are tracing to outlines and compare how you drew it to how it was drawn in the font.
Work toward drawing the paths with good accuracy at the first go, without having to go back to tediously adjust curve handles. (But be sure to practice the keyboard shortcuts for doing that, too.)
When you've achieved reasonable accuracy then turn on SmartGuides and start learning how to use it to ensure horizontal / vertical alignment between anchorPoint placements as you draw, including alignment between the new anchorPoint and two existing anchors at the same time.
JET

Similar Messages

Is there no pen tool (Bezier curves) in Draw app?

Seems like a natural if app is to work with Illustrator on the desktop.

I wish Adobe would put a bezier pen tool in. There are a few iPad apps that do this well - iDraw and Inkpad are the ones I use the most - and they do a great job. There's a few issues with them both like they create too many points when you use the 'pathfinder' tools and the accuracy of the add points tool can be a bit hit and miss. And of course you are left with a convoluted workflow to get the illustrations into other iPad apps but if you want a bezier pen tool on the go I'd give them a try.

Pen Tool newbie has some questions

I put off learning how to control the Pen Tool far too long, but recently, I dug in & spent about 4 hours getting the hang of it. After about an hour, I had the basics, so I decided to practice on a complex outline. I spent several hours outlining a very intricate object with great precision. The tool was set on Path. What I did not realize is the Path I was creating was not being saved when I saved my work. It completely disappeared when I closed the file, much to my dismay. So obviously, I missed something in the instructions. Here are my questions:
1. How should I have saved my Path?
2. My goal was to complete a complex outline & use it for a mask or selection to remove the background - to extricate a complex object from a complex background. Was Path the best setting for this goal? What if I had used Shape, or Pixel Fill?
I really loved the control the tool gave me, like a digital Exacto knife, but would appreciate some suggestions to help further my exploration of the Pen Tool.

"I dug in & spent about 4 hours getting the hang of it."
That should be enough, for one day that is. Keep with it. Use it often over the next few years. Take on jobs that need paths. You will find the pen tool to be one of Photoshop's most valuable tools.
Best,
Ken

To draw in the pdf using pen tool in acrobat reader x

hi im using the app.execMenuItem("Annots:Tool:InkMenuItem"); in the javascript of textbox in acrobat pro 9. When i click the text box pen tool is activated and im able to sign in that textbox.
But in acrobat reader 10.1.2 when i click the textbox its not working . i.e (app.execMenuItem("Annots:Tool:InkMenuItem"); ) is not executing . Is there any other command to get pen tool in acroabat reader x.

Actaully this code is printing a flower using ink tool. can to modify this
code so that instead of printing it should display inktool by using which i
draw my own sign or image etc.
var inch =72, x0 =2* inch, y0=4*inch;
var scaledInch=.5*inch;
var nNodes=60;
var theta=2*Math.PI/nNodes;
var points =new Array();
for(var i=0;i<=nNodes;i++)
Theta =i*theta;
points[i]=[x0+2Math.cos(3Theta)Math.cos(Theta)scaledInch,
y0+2Math.cos(3Theta)Math.sin(Theta)scaledInch];
var annto= this.addAnnot(
thanks,
sachin

After Effects CS6 11.0.2 crashes when using the pen tool (Mac OS X 10.8.2)

I'm using After Effects CS6 11.0.2 on Mac OS X 10.8.2. Whenever I use the pen tool to add a vertex, the application crashes. I've submitted several crash reports to apple (they get sent to apple automatically when the app relaunches).
My specs:
iMac
21.5-inch, Mid 2010
Processor 3.06 GHz Intel Core i3
Memory 12 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
Graphics ATI Radeon HD 4670 256 MB
Software OS X 10.8.2 (12C60)
Anybody else having this problem or have a solution?

So I have discovered it only crashes when adding a vertex when I'm editing the max a few frames in. When I add vertices on the first frame of the comp I don't have any trouble. I've tried unchecking the box that says preserve constant vertex count, and it still happens.

Using the Pen tool to create a shape with equal sides?

I am new to working with the Pen tool and started drawing a rounded button (I know I can easily do this with the rounded rectangle, I'm just practicing to learn the Pen), I draw the top horizontal line and start the curve going down the right side. How do I now continue drawing the lower curve so that it matches the one I already drew and replicate this on the other side? Is there an easy way to do this? Is there also a way for me to just copy this path and reuse it somehow?
Thanks.

I think you'll find this tutorial useful.
http://is.gd/A90Q5t

PEN TOOL DOESN'T WORK ANY MORE after PS 2014.2 update!

I just downloaded the latest Photoshop update. Pretty slick......adjustable fonts in the dropdown menus again.....nice guide improvements. One little problem....THE PEN TOOL DOESN'T WORK ANY MORE. The program is totally useless. What the h%+l is wrong with adobe? At least I can still use Photoshop CC. Anyone got a fix for this?
Jim

The program is totally useless. What the h%+l is wrong with adobe?
Venting is not going to do much good, please read these (especially the section headlined "Supply pertinent information …"):
Best practices: Usage | Adobe Community
http://blogs.adobe.com/crawlspace/2012/07/photoshop-basic-troubleshooting-steps-to-fix-mos t-issues.html
On Max OSX 10.8.5 I can not notice a dysfunctional Pen Tool so far.

Using the pen tool, how best should I build or construct this image?

Hello,
I'm trying to recreate a certain image with the pen tool.
I have already tried using Live Trace using the "Simple Trace" setting. Live Trace did a pretty good job but not with enough accuracy or fidelity to the original image as I would like.
I am pretty rusty with Illustrator now, but I remember from past lessons that the basic idea is that artwork in Illustrator is divided into layers, objects, and elements within objects. But one of the biggest principles with Ilustrator is the order these layers, objects, and elements are stacked. Elements are stacked to create an object. Objects are often stacked, each object on its own layer, to create the entire piece of artwork.
Also, the lower an element, object, or layer is in a stacking order, the further towards the back it appears in the image.
Also, the higher an element, object, or layer is in a stacking order, the closer to the front it appears in the image.
So, in Illustrator, you don't so much draw or paint a piece of artwork, but, instead, creating artwork in Illustrator is more a matter of building it or constructing it.
So, with all that said, below I have an object I would like to create with the pen tool. It is a fleuron. It is at least fairly complex.I am not sure how to build it or construct its parts. What would come first, second, third? What would be on the bottom layer, middle layer, top layer, etc.?
I know there is no one way to reproduce this object with the pen tool. Whatever way you would use or would like to share is fine. I guess, more specifically, I'm not afraid of rigor and working hard, but I'm also not necessarily looking for rigor. Instead, what I am looking to do is work smartly and efficiently. I'm looking for what might commonly be considered "best practice."
So, how would you advise I approach the object below? How should I build or construct it?
Thanks! : )

As for the simple graphic itself, this is what I would end up with:
One Group containing:
One red-filled, unstroked Compound Path consisting of three subpaths.
One white-filled, unstroked Compound Path consisting of 18 subpaths.
The reason I would compound the red paths and the white paths is simply so I could apply to them different fills with one move, should I want to.
The reason the two Compund Paths would be grouped is simply so the whole graphic can, when finished, be moved, rotated, scaled, flipped, skewed (i.e.; transformed) as if it were a single object. (Which it would be; a Group is a logical object, just as a "set" is a logical object.)
As for how I would actaully draw the graphic:
First I would roughly evaluate it to get an idea of what I want to end up with in terms of clean, tidy, paths (as already describe above.)
Second, I mentally devise a "plan of attack" by which to achieve that; just studying the shapes a little more deeply for anything that can be exploited to minimize the work:
Are there any repetitive elements of the shape that can be accomplished by duplication, moving, scaling?
Is there any symmetry that can be accomplished by duplication and flopping?
Is there any simple geometry that can be accomplished with basic shape prmitives (whole or partial ellipses, rectangles, polygons)?
Third, I always try to also consider whether the process of drawing the current graphic and/or portions of it might be of future use to me, and if so, can I exploit other software features to save me time and effort later. For example, consider a single one of the ess-shaped "coils" of the middle tapered "spiral" grouped together with its white highlight. Such a graphic, colored in black and white and stored as an ArtBrush with its Colorization set to Hues & Tints would let me stretch and scale that basic shape along other-shaped paths. Similarly stored as a PatternBrush, it might do multi-duty for many things suggestive of coils, like rope or jewelry chains.
Then I just start drawing the necessary paths, using my default Graphic Style (.25 black stroke, no fill). As I proceed, I store (as Brushes, Symbols, etc.) any intermediate things that I think I might find useful later. For the graphic at hand, I then optimize the paths I've drawn by combining them (cutting, joining, path operations) into the fewest, cleanest, and simplest paths necessary to define the shapes. I then store the finished graphic as a Symbol, Brush, etc. if I think it might be of use later.
Regarding Layers, Groups, etc., etc:
It sounds like you (like many beginning AI users) are way over-thinking the matter of stacking order. Yes, it's good to use some sensible amount of organization as your illustrations and designs become more elaborate, but you don't have to fret so much over it. The principles are very very simply.
Layer really don't even enter into my mind when creating such a graphic, because the paths of which it consists are all going to be grouped, and all the contents of a Group have to exist on the same Layer anyway. Multiple Layers would only come into play when this whole graphic is used as one element in the overall page layout. For example, suppose several instances of this object will exist on a page layout to serve as dividers between ads or stories arranged in columns in a page layout. I may choose--if it makes organizational sense to me--to put all the copies of this object on a Layer dedicated to them. The Layer on which they reside may or may not include other graphics; it's just a question of what makes organizational sense and editing convenience to me while I'm working the file. For example, having the copies of this graphic on a separate Layer would allow me to lock that Layer to avoid accidently selecting the graphics when I'm editing text objects that I've organized on another Layer.
Don't think of Layers as some oppressive "right or wrong" thing that you have to decide upon at the start of every little thing you draw. It's nothing but an organizational convenience that is driven almost entirely by common sense. The mechanics of it are really very very simple in principle.
Look: Everything you create or import in an Illustrator document is an object. Just like sheets of paper in a tablet, each of those objects (each path, text object, raster image) is going to reside somewhere in the z-order (think front to back) of the document's object stack. You can't do anything to prevent that. It's the way the program works. The file is basically just a list of things that the output device has to draw. Being a list, it has a first object, a second object, and so on. Objects higher in that list are nearer the "front"; objects lower are nearer the "back." Normally, objects in front obscure objects behind them, wherever they "overlap."
Now, considering that what you have is just a list of objects, as that list grows and grows, doesn't it eventually just make sense to be able to "bracket" or "label" contiguous portions (contiguous is key here) of that list for organizational and manipulative purposes? That's all Groups and Layers are; brackets around sections of the list.
Consider that an Illustrator file (like most computer files you create) is really just a text file. So suppose you have written a technical manual in a word processing program. Would you write that manual as one big, honkin' text string, or would you "bunch together" contiguous portions of the story under some labeling scheme of subheads? After that, wouldn't you similarly "bunch together" contiguous subhead sections as chapters?
So you can think of Groups as "subheads," and Layers as "chapters" in your Illustrator document's list of objects.
Sure; if you're working on a page layout document, sometimes it makes sense to go ahead and set up some of this structure at the start (just as when writing a book, it makes sense to start with an outline). So you might go ahead and define a Layer for printer marks, another for the diecut, another for text, another for images, another for background fills.
The very next designer might decide to structure the very same project a little differently. He might, for example, decide there's no reason not to keep the text objects on the same layer with the raster images. There's no hard & fast right & wrong her. You do what makes sense for the project at hand.
Now in this context, back to your simple graphic: I don't need a PrinterMarks Layer, a DieCut Layer, or a TextObjects Layer to draw this graphic. I just need the default Layer 1. For convenience, I may want to add a TraceThisStuff Layer onto which I put the original raster image, just so I can conveniently isolate it (lock it, dim it, etc.) while drawing the paths on Layer 1. On the other hand, I can really just as easily leave the raster image that I want to trace on Layer 1 and reduce its opacity and lock/unlock it at the object level. It's up to me.
But for that matter, revisit my "third level" of evaluation described above. In reality, I would very likely not even start drawing this graphic in the document for which it is intended. I would just as likely open an existing JET_Dingbats.ai or a JET_Ornaments.ai or CustomerName_StyleGraphics.ai file or template, draw the graphic there and when done, just copy it and paste it into the current document file. That's how you, over time, build yourself a reasonably organized "personal library" of re-usable resources that save you countless hours of repetitive work in the future.
JET

Photoshop CS3, using pen tool to make selection or path without any color

OK, here is my problem. I'm using CS3 photoshop right now. Last time I was using it regularly was in 2001, so it was version 5 or 6. At that time you could use the pen tool to make a selection or a path without ANY color. I'm trying to cut out something that needs precision (therefore the pen tool) but I need to be able to see what I'm doing. Therefore, would prefer no color option. This used to be easy, with paths, it was the default.
Can't figure it out now, HELP is no help. And, the User Guide is no longer available on Adobe.com. Looked for the one for the CS4 suite, not much much luck there either. I can call them tomorrow about that. *Right now, all I'm trying to do is put together a little pasted together thing for my niece. Two stuffed animals with antlers and santa hats on a Xmas background. Everything is done but cutting out around the stuffed animals. They need their little tufts of stuffing, so I need a tool that can create a smooth path without blocking what I'm doing with color.* Any help will me appreciated. I've tried for days to figure this out on my own, since last time I posted, I figured it out before someone responded. And, the response was quick, so I didn't want to waste anyone's time.
The pdf user guide for this is unavailable, I just ordered a book to help me with the stuff I can't figure out by myself. Thanks for everyone's quick help. –Suze

{quote:title=Suze159 wrote:}
I'm trying to cut out something that needs precision (therefore the pen tool) but I need to be able to see what I'm doing. *Right now, all I'm trying to do is put together a little pasted together thing for my niece. Two stuffed animals with antlers and santa hats on a Xmas background. Everything is done but cutting out around the stuffed animals. They need their little tufts of stuffing, so I need a tool that can create a smooth path without blocking what I'm doing with color.*{quote}
Suze,
I too use CS3 and I may be confused about your post. If so, I apologize for wasting any reader's time.
When I need a precision tool for rotoscoping a subject, I usually choose the Polygonal Lasso tool. Of all the Lasso tools, using the polygonal is the most labor intensive, but gives you the highest degree of control. With a little practice you can get quite good at it. If necessary, blow up the image to help you see what you are doing.
-- Duplicate the background layer
-- Rotoscope the subject
-- Click Refine Edge and adjust Radius, Contrast, Contract/Expand, Smooth and Feather to taste
-- Choose New>Layer via Copy or Cut
-- Hide background layer(s) and Save As or Move this layer onto your original graphic.
There may be other ways of doing it but this is what works for me. I hope that helps.
Eddie

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.

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.

Pen Tool, add new point keeps previous point selected?

This has bugged me immensely ever since the new versions of inDesign adopted this habit, is there a work-around?
Say I want to make a customly shaped frame around a photo that's imported in the standard rectangle shape and I don't want it to be a circle, rounded rectangle, or polygon that I can simply "convert shape" to. I could try editing the path with the pencil tool but typically that will create 100+ anchor points of vector disaster.
What I used to do in CS2, CS3, CS4 is grab the handy pen tool, add a point and move it where I want with the direct selection tool by simply holding CMD (ctrl).
But now, (not sure if it started in CS5, CS5.5, or CS6) when I add a new point it keeps the previous points selected. Rubbish, now I can't move the new point where I want it without moving the previous however many I created. And there's no simple 1-click method of only selecting the point I just made (that I know of). Re-clicking with the direct selection tool does nothing and clicking other selected points does not deselect them.
So in order to move the point I just made, by itself, I have to deselect all points then reselect the point I want to move, which is really tricky if it's under other objects.
Does anyone know how to have ONLY the new point selected when I add a point? Or even have no points selected so I can easily CMD+click the ones I want to move?

It looks like what is needed is some way to deselect all the points on a selected object, while keeping the object itself selected.
Using the built-in InDesign tools, the way to do that would seem to be: switch to the direct selection white arrow tool (by pressing CMD) as you have been doing. Click anywhere on the path of the object. This clears all selected points while keeping the object selected. Now release CMD to get back to the Pen tool, and add your point.
If this is too fiddly (it can be tricky to click on the path itself, although the white arrow changes subtely to show you that you're over the path), you can alternatively use the following one line script:
try {app.selection[0].select()}catch(_){};
This does the same thing: It deselects all selected points on the current page item.
To use, copy this line to a text editor. Save with the extension .jsx and place in your InDesign scripts folder. You can then assign a keyboard shortcut to the script, so that it should be very easy to deselect all the points.

Pen tool Drawing & Bucket Filling Problem

Hello, i am a newbie and novoice/new learner to flash CS4
I come across a problem when i follow the book "classroom in a book series" the Flash CS4 one (Red cover book) Chapter 2
Q.1
I try to draw straight lines or curves but i found i still cannot manage how to use PEN TOOL
How can i draw straight line? Also how can i draw absolute vertical or horizontal line with some special combination key like CTRL or SHIFT
i tried guessing SHIFT or CTRL while using PEN TOOL but no help
How can i draw curve?
i know it depends somehow on whether i hold my click for a new anchor point???
Any tutorial which is clear and easy for new comer for fully understanding for PEN TOOL.(Currently i try reading pdf reference from ADOBE Web site and google search but did not make myself understand.)
Q.2
I cannot use bucket filling a shape draw by PEN TOOL(i already search google sites but cannot find one with satisfied causes for this FILLING Problems)
like the image shown below(Please click to enlarge this PRINTSCREEN)
Tools i used are PEN TOOL drawing a shape first then a BUCKET for filling color.
Many thanks to any of your help!!!!!

Reply to 2nd floor post
Thank You for your answer and your appreciation.
but.....i am so sorry to have a further question NOW!
i follow your link and learn some technique which is supposed to work well:
http://www.recipester.org/Recipe:Fill_a_flash_shape_with_gap_33956508
However,i go there and did a experiment MYSELF.
first i draw an oval with black color stroke and no color for its fill.
then i use an eraser tool to make that little gap!
Q.3 (A NEW QUESTION)
however i cannot fill the oval with even very SMALL GAP like this jpeg shown below:(PLEASE click below to ENLARGE it)
I then find i cannot use bucket fill AGAIN...
For the first question, i try to use the pen tool for 6 hours practicing....and reading the official manual i find there are multiple modes of pen tool
so COMPLEX!! which is not mentioned in my red cover book from Adobe Press.(the book i mentioned in 1st post maybe have some more explaination later?)
I generally can click or drag to make some straight or curve now like 3rd floor reply.(Subselection tool is helpful when adjusting the curve or line)
AGAIN Thank You so much!!!!!

Pen Tool: Anchor Below Nib

I've been practicing with the pen tool using three different source texts (K.Eismann, CS3 Classroom, Web) and I've altered the pen setup that now the anchor points are setting at the base of the nib instead of at the point of the nib. The pen and options are correct and I've checked CS4 cursor preferences. Futzing doesn't work either; never does, only wastes time.
Please help to correct the Pen (My) behavior.
Your aid has always been direct and true; thanks for past rewards.
Chrlz_B

Futzing
—Verb phrase
3.
futz with or around with, to handle or deal with, esp. idly, reluctantly, or as a time-consuming task: I spent all day futzing with those file folders.
After two days, this problem has been solved and after 22 hours of pen practice I find I need more practice. Believe it or not, Restarting Photoshop cured the Anchor problem.
Chrlz_B

Illustrator: Using pen tool or brush tool?

Hello,
I'd like to trace my pencil sketch in Illustrator, or inking. Some tuts advice to use a pen tool but some tuts recommend to use a brush tool - which one I should use and why? I think using the pen tool is very slow way to trace (It's taking hours!) but I need advice to set the brush tool settings working like I would use a pen on paper. A line of brush tool leaves too thin ending or too rounded etc.
If someone could help me and tell, I'd be very happy for that. Thank you.

Tsuya,
I think using the pen tool is very slow way to trace (It's taking hours!)
I think it's very slow way to do that
Three things that may speed up tracing are practice, knowing where to place the Anchor Points and how long to drag out Handles (both of which may be built up through try and fail, sorry practising), and a special cheat.
The special cheat consists of pressing the Spacebar to lock the Handles and move the current Anchor Point about. You can switch back and forth quickly and make the crucial mutual adjustment of position and shape while tracing.
It is worth really working on where to place the Anchor Points; you may be surprised so trying beyond what would seem likely is important.

Pen Tool Practice app

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