illustrator · HeyBraza shows you
how to use the pen tool in illustrator
HeyBraza shows you the click-vs-drag difference and where the anchor and handle controls hide as you draw.
the pen tool is the hardest thing to learn in illustrator because clicking makes corners and dragging makes curves - and nobody tells you that. here's the small set of moves that turns it from frustrating to predictable.
short answer
set fill to none and a visible stroke first, then click to drop corner points and click-drag to make curves - the handles that appear control how the curve bends. alt/option-dragging a handle breaks the curve so you can change direction, and clicking your first anchor closes the path.
or do it yourself
- 1select the pen tool (p), then set fill to none and a visible stroke so you can see the line as you draw.
- 2click once to drop a corner anchor point, then click again somewhere else to draw a straight segment between them.
- 3to make a curve, click and drag - the direction handles that appear control how the curve bends.
- 4hold alt/option and drag a handle to break the curve and start a new direction (a corner-to-curve transition).
- 5close the path by clicking back on your very first anchor point, or press enter to leave it open.
steps last checked
let HeyBraza do this with you
HeyBraza teaches you software while you're using it. hold a key and ask out loud - an ai tutor that sees your screen walks you through every step in real time, pointing and highlighting on your real work, talking you through it as it goes - not someone else's tutorial.
downloadcommon questions
how do i move an anchor point after placing it?
hold ctrl/cmd to temporarily switch to the direct selection tool, then drag the point or its handles.
why does my pen tool keep making sharp angles instead of curves?
you're clicking instead of click-dragging - dragging is what pulls out the curve handles.
how do i use the pen tool in illustrator for curves?
click to place a corner point, but click *and drag* to place a curved one - the handles that appear as you drag set how the curve bends. alt/option-dragging a handle breaks it so the next segment can head in a new direction.
