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.

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How to Extrude a path created with Pen Tool

Hi All
I have created a path with the pen tool (the brown part), and now I want to extrude it, but it extrudes the whole containing block (See image below)
Now I have tried everything, from grouping to compound paths etc, but nothing works.
How do I extrude my path?
Thank you

...and Texturized it AFTER the extrusion....
Applied a Grain Texture after the extrusion.
For clarity:
Always pay attention to the Appearance palette. The order of the items in the Appearance stack reflects the order in which they are applied.
A so-called "live effect" (of which both 3D Effect and Grain Texturizer are examples) is an operation which is automatically re-applied after you make an edit to the object to which it is applied. The effects are applied in the order in which they appear in the Appearance stack, from top to bottom.
1. Ellipse Tool: Draw an ellipse. Leave it selected.
2. Apply 3D Effect.
3. Apply Texturize Effect.
Look at the Appearance palette. 3D Effect is listed above Texturizer, and the whole 3D rendering is texturized.
4. Appearance palette: Drag 3D Effect to below Texurizer. The unwanted extrusion of the entire texture image appears.
JET

Creating action for pen tool "add to selection" problem.

I am trying to quicken my workflow and want to create an action for this instead of right click>make selection>add to selection. I do this a lot for my job and it gets tedious. I got an action to work except on little quirky issue. When I did this without using an action, when I clicked "OK" on the dialog box for the "add to selection" area, then I got the resulting marching ants with my intended selection and that pen path would automatically disappear. And on to the next pen path to start it over...All is good so far(except the tediousness Im trying to stop).
So the action for this results in the same thing except that instead of getting just the marching ants(as I want), I get the marching ants with the last pen path still showing under that area of marching ants I just had "added to." I know I can just then hit "delete" to get rid of that pen path and get just my selection, but that defeats my intent on streamlining the process.
Any ideas on why this happens or a completely different way to do this with as quick of a result as the hotkey I set for this action?
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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.

Brush definition/color swatches have disappeared for pen tool

I'm using illustrator CC on a late 2012 Mac, OSX 10.9.5
I just opened up my pen tool to draw some lines. Among my color options for both the stroke and the fill are.... nothing. That's ok, because I can still hold shift and click to being up the alternative color user interface. But I wonder if this is connected to my more serious problem: When I click on the brush definition dropdown, my choice is... Basic. And nothing else. I can open the brush libarary, and select a bunch of artisitic and bristle brushes, BUT I JUST WANT 3 pt. ROUND! And I can't find it, the dropdown menu has gone blank, where befiore it contained basic, 1 pt, 3pt, 10pt round, etc.
Where did they all go? I'm pretty sure I haven't changed any settings. I just want to be able to draw a line with the pen tool that has rounded ends. This is entirely mysterious to me.
(PS, while I'm complaining, Adobe, seriously, why can't I just pick a variable width profile and a brush definition for a pen stroke rather than having to make the stroke and go back and edit it? Endlessly frustrating. As powerful as this program is, this seems like a really simple thing you guys should include)
Please help!

Bottom left of the Swatches panel or from the panel flyout (small triangle, upper right) Open Swatch Library gives a whole list. You can use System or even better just copy the image and use File>New and choose an appropriate New Document Profile for the new file and then paste in the image.

Illustrator plugin for pen tool

Hi all,
Is there any plugin to make the pen tool from illustrator behave/work like the pen tool from Photoshop. Both pen tool behave differently , and i am not used to the way of the pen tool behave in illustrator.
Thanks in advance

They are pretty close though and may be you need just a little bit more practice to get used to it. I'm curious what difference is the most problematic for you?
Except for the Rubber Band option in Photoshop that is missing in Illustrator, I think with everything else, the pen tool in Illustrator is more capable.
This is an old thread with some input about this, with my post #21 there I tried to summarize and describe some of the differences.

"Enable Rubber Band" for Pen Tool Cannot be Turned Off

I don't like the rubber band preview when drawing using the pen tool, but I can't turn it off in the preferences. Anyone know of this problem? The check mark is there, but it cannot be turned off.

I am having the same problem where it appears that the checkbox to disable this feature is mis-aligned. I have tried using the [tab] key but after the text field for the LIVE CORNER ANGLE it tabs to nothing, then to the options on the left...
I have tried to change the resolution on the computer in hopes that maybe this would make that stupid check box "selectable"... any other help would be GREATLY appreciated.

When I have selected multiple paths using the pen tool, I can't make a selection out of them all, but only of the last one I created.

I want to make a selection with both paths in the selection. But it's only allowing me to select one, if I try both the paths just dissapear.

Similarly to what @JJMack said, if you use the direct selection tool (shortcut: A), you can either select all of the paths, or select a blank area of the canvas (which will deselect all paths) and then selecting the 'convert path to selection' button should convert them all simultaneously.
This is one of several bothersome changes to the path selection functionality in CC.

I can't close a path with my pen tool.

I've been using Illustrator for a while and haven't had this problem before. After making a triangular path, the third point will connect to the first point but it will not close the path. Has this happened to anyone else?

It's actually the 4th anchor that closes the path which happens to be the 1st anchor point. You should see a plus sign when you hover over the first anchor point ( unless you're using CC, then all bets are off ).

Pen Tool Multiple Path Selection

Just upgraded to CC 2014. I frequently remove photo backgrounds by creating paths with the pen tool. I have always been able to create multiple paths for areas that I want to delete using the pen tool, then upon completion, right click, choose "Make Selection" and then delete all the areas at once. Since upgrading, only the last path region is selected using this method and the other areas disappear. Any help would be greatly appreciated, have been going crazy trying to figure this out.

That particular aspect should work the same as previous versions. When you make the first path, click outside that path in the Paths panel, and then click back on it. You only need to do this if you have left the previous path open (not closed it by joining the two ends.
Continue using the pen tool and the new path segments will be there in the same path.
You need to be aware of the Pen tool options, like Combine, Subtract, Intersect.
If you use that path for making a selection for instance, and then use the Pen tool again, you will lose the first path. A quick and easy way to save paths is to drag them to the New Path icon at the bottom of the Paths panel.
This graphic might be of help.

Please improve pen tool path closing behaviour

I am annoyed by losing the first point’s backwards bezier handle when closing a path with the Pen Tool.
This seems disrespectful to users who may have years of experience with vector graphics programs and therefore quite possibly set the first point’s bezier handles just as they want them to be.
Also the subject of this thread:
http://forums.adobe.com/message/3619783#3619783
The same seems to apply when picking up an open path – just because one has interrupted creation of a path does not mean the end points’ bezier handle should be disregarded on resuming adding points to that path.
Luckily the Photoshop team has not picked those … behaviours for their Path creation tools.

Another Illustrator upgrade, another disappointment …

The feature that i need most...do not activate paths with pen tool

If you have to add one thing in illustrator...
Make optional NOT to add new paths to an unselected anchor point with the pen tool.
I never want to activate paths with the pen tool
Arrow tool=select
Pen tool= add new points
If i want to add new segments to a path, i'd select it first a selection tool.
To my knowledge, Illustrator is the only vector application that doesn't follow this convention
In theory,activating the paths with the pen tool should speed the drawing: However when working with illustrations that combine open and closed paths, or if we want to start a new line from an anchor point, we have to lock, unlock or put in layers in order to avoid to activate unselected paths:
That's very slow and frustrating, specially when in other apps, you can create complex illustrations in just one layer and with no lock/unlock due a more precise control over the paths.
I have mentioned this feature before, but every time i face a project with a mix of open and closed paths, is a major problem
Please change this behaviour or at least, make it optional.

Yes, it has to be removed in two places and someone who has the authority might take action upon my mentioning it again.
Here is a link on syncing - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1386nHave a read. Someone who uses the Books tab often might give you a step by step guide. Meanwhile, you can email yourself a PDF to keep you going. If it is a one page PDF it will be shown as opened in the email on your iPad. Press on the centre of it to save it to ibooks.If it is more than one page it will be shown as an icon; press on it for the prompt where to open it and choose iBooks, or whatever. I use Goodreader as it has a superior file management system. It costs very little.
Here is the link fo the iPad User Guide should you not already have it. You can download it to iBooks - http://support.apple.com/manuals/#ipad
Finaly, get more help by clicking on iPad Support at the top of the index page on this forum.

Pen tool, paths behavior fix

1. if the line has no stroke applied to it, everytime you make a new line the previous segments disapears while you're holding down the mouse to create the next segment. What is the purpose of this feature?? I use 100% illustrator all 8 hours of my work day, and this gets on my nerves every time i use it. I like to draw with a 1px line for accuracy especially when creating clipping mask.
Some people suggest I work in outline mode, how about...no. Why should I go between viewing modes which is even more distracting.
2. holding down alt while with the pen tool should always switch to the direct selection tool. and not the regular selection tool. I realize this depends on what tool was used last. there has never been a circumstance where I wanted to alternate between solid selection tool and pen tool.
3. bleed and trim preview, similar to indesign.

Peter,Peter,Peter....
iNobody reads post #1.
That's not true. I read your post, and responded. But....thanks for your last post, because that's what it took for the light bulb to go on.
You see I never use "edit transform", I always just use the keyboard shortcut, cmd T, so when I read in your 1st post to use "edit transform" and select the path and use "edit transform" again, I didn't know you meant, (or) that there was a command "edit transform again".
Now I see what you where saying :-)
That works perfectly, but unfortunately only on one path, so my post #4 still stands. We need a way to transform and reposition all / or selected paths and link them to the object.
So again, Peter, thank you for your 1st. post!
Ann,
i Can you group the airbrushing paths by copying a bunch of them onto the same Path tile?
I've never done that so I'm not sure how to do it. Can you elaborate?
i And can you then turn the groups of airbrushing paths into an Alpha Channel or several Alpha Channels?
Do the alpha channels resize / position / transform when you do an "edit-transform"?
I could select a path, convert it into a selection, then save the selection as a alpha channel.
Because you can only select one path tile at a time, it it possible to add multiply paths / selections into one alpha channel?

Lost bezier handle on closing path with pen tool

Can any of you please instruct me how to avoid losing the first point’s backwards bezier handle when closing a path with the Pen Tool?
This is a longtime annoyance for me, but I cannot rule out that I simply have failed to find the proper way of turning off this behaviour.

I just did!
See my last post with the picture. I rotated not just the anchor point but the straight line that it was coupled to.
Steve.
Steve, you can rotate anchorPoints and adjacent straight segments all day long, and you will still not be replicating the behavior and intent of FreeHand's Connector Points.
We're not talking about rotating straight segments here. (I would hope that everyone knows you can do that.)
Forget rotating things. Draw a path with a curved segment and an adjacent diagonal straight segment. The straight segment has no extended handles; only the curved segment does. Now adjust the length of the handle of the anchorPoint that joins to the straight segment in such a way that you cannot break tangency of the curve with the straight segment. In other words, the handle is always constrained to the angle of the adjacent straight segment.
Don't bother coming back with the workaround of scaling the handle. That still does not ensure tangency.
Example: This is Fontographer (FreeHand's progenitor). The highlighted point at the bottom of the motorycycle's skid plate is a Corner Point. The segment to the left of it needs to be curved, while maintaining perfect tangency with the straight segment to the right of it. In the inset, the Corner Point has been converted to a Tangent Point, and its handle is being dragged out (all with one selection tool, I might add.) The handle cannot be dragged out at any angle other than that which is tangent to the right segment.
That's just an example of converting a pre-existing Corner Point to a Connector Point. But now consider ensuring tangency fluidly as you draw with the Pen. In Illustrator, click to place a CornerPoint. Click or clickDrag to place a second anchorPoint oriented at any angle from the first point such that you are guaranteed that the first segment is straight, and that the next segment will be curved and tangent to the first segment. Can you do that in Illustrator?
While we're at it, note that in FOG, as in FH, you always know what kind of point you are dealing with. Corner Points are displayed as squares, Curve Points as circles, and Connector Points (Tangent Points in FOG) as triangles (regardless of whether their handles are extended or retracted).
JET

Path with Pen tool- Color

Is there a way to enhance (change color) of the path generated with the Pen tool. I don't mean "stroking" the path after the path is completed. I mean the original outline of the path with the Pen tool. I have a rather completed photo which I am having trouble seeing the path as I am generating the path.
Thanks.

Hi
I think I see what you mean... it is a fine line and unlike in other applications, I'm pretty certain I'm correct that you cannot specify a colour for it.
I can only suggest, and I don't know if this will help, but you could make the layer your complicated photo is on temporarily less opaque so: lighter in effect. Not actually lighter and not a permanent change you understand. I don't know how well you know PhotoShop so if you need me to explain exactly what to do, just say, no probs. I'll explain, it's easy.
I'm not sure it will help, but it's all I can think to suggest I'm afraid. I'm sure if anyone has a better idea, they'll be along soon to tell you about it :-)
Edit... ah... just beaten to it by Marlo with a better idea, lol.

How can I get the Fireworks pen tool to disengage from an open path shape (and stay disengaged)!

I am so frustrated! I can't get the fireworks pen tool to disengage when I am finished creating an open path shape (double clicking the end-point isn't working). The only way I can disengage the pen tool is to click on a different tool, BUT ...if I do that (i.e., click on a different tool), and then go back to the pen tool (with the intent to create another open path shape), the pen tool automatically engages the last point of my prior open path shape ... and ... no matter what I do, I can't get the pen tool in Fireworks to stop doing this with my open path shapes.
If anyone has any helpful advice, it would be much appreciated!
Thank you!
(note: I prefer not to have to go back and forth creating open path shapes in Illustrator then bring them into Fireworks, but if all else fails, I suppose I'll have to as a work-around.)

Have you tried holding the Command key and clicking away from the last point? The Command (⌘) key will bring up the Subselection tool; clicking on the canvas with it will allow you to disengage from the path. Once you release the key, the Pen tool will return and you can begin another path.

Smooth path tool (for pen tool).

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