- Introduction
- Changing Drawing Settings
- Drawing with the Line Tool
- Drawing with the Pencil Tool
- Drawing Shapes with the Rectangle and Oval Tools
- Using the Polystar Tool
- Selecting Strokes with the Arrow Tool
- Selecting Strokes and Fills with the Arrow Tool
- Making Selections with the Lasso Tool
- Zooming In and Out with the Magnifying Glass
- Moving Around with the Hand Tool
- Displaying Rulers
- Using Grids and Guides
- Modifying Grid and Guide Settings
- Using Snap Align
- Changing Stroke and Fill Colors
- Creating Custom Colors
- Editing Strokes with the Ink Bottle
- Editing Fills with the Paint Bucket
- Editing Strokes and Fills with the Eyedropper
- Creating Gradients
- Using the Fill Lock
- Using Paint Brush Modes
- Drawing with the Pen Tool
- Drawing Curves with the Pen Tool
- Modifying Shapes with the Arrow Tool
- Modifying Shapes with the Sub-Selection Tool
- Using the Free Transform Tool
- Using Transform Options for Shapes
- Cutting and Pasting Graphics Between Layers
- Working with Graphics on Different Layers
- Distributing Graphics to Layers
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Drawing Curves with the Pen Tool
The Pen tool can be used to draw precise and complex curves by simply clicking and dragging it on the Stage. These curves can be modified with precision by adjusting the Bézier handles that extend from the anchor points, or you can move the anchor points themselves. In this way, you can create any number of shape variations. For best results, make the grid visible so aligning anchor points isn't such a mystery.
Create Curved Line Segments
Click the Pen tool in the Toolbar.
The pointer becomes a pen.
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Figure
3.57Click on the Stage without releasing the mouse, drag up, and then release the mouse.
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Figure
3.58Position the pointer to the right of the original point, drag in the opposite direction of the curve, and then release the mouse when the curve is where you want it.
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Figure
3.59Continue adding points as needed. To end the path, double-click or return to the last anchor point drawn and click on it.
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Figure
3.60Did You Know?
You can select to Show Precise Cursors instead of the Tool icons in the General tab of the Preferences dialog box. When this option is selected, drawing tools, such as the Pen tool, appear as crosshairs for better precision and alignment to grids and guides.
Create S-Curves
Click the Pen tool in the Toolbar.
The pointer becomes a pen.
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Figure
3.61Click on the Stage without releasing the mouse, drag down, and then release the mouse.
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Figure
3.62Position the pointer to the right of the original point, drag in the same direction as the first drag, and then release the mouse when the curve is where you want it.
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Figure
3.63Continue adding points as needed. To end the path, double-click or return to the last anchor point drawn and click on it.
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Figure
3.64