Use Pencil Tool in Adobe Illustrator CS6

Edited by Freya, VisiHow, Eng

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Video: Use Pencil Tool in Adobe Illustrator CS6
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You're watching VisiHow. This tutorial will show you how to use "Pencil Tool" in Adobe Illustrator CS6 in Windows 7.

Use The Pencil Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas284 859879.jpg

Steps

  1. 1
    You should open Adobe Illustrator and a document
    .
    Use The Pencil Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas5 741304.jpg
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  2. 2
    Click the pencil symbol in the vertical menu
    .
    It's at the left side of the screen. The pencil is different to the pen tool where you can draw more organically. In another video, we show you how to use the pen tool and why the pen tool is better for drawing lines and geometric shapes.
    Use The Pencil Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas21 419324.jpg
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  3. 3
    Let's draw a curve
    .
    "Pencil Tool" is more of a freehand tool, and Illustrator will follow your drawing as closely as possible.
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  4. 4
    Double-click the pencil icon in the vertical menu
    .
    This will bring up a settings window. You will be able to edit pencil settings. You can see that "Fidelity" and "Smoothness" are set quite low. This means that it is easier for Illustrator to follow your shape more accurately.
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  5. 5
    You can increase "Fidelity" and "Smoothness" by clicking and dragging the sliders
    .
    Alternatively, type values into the text boxes on the right. If these options are increased, it may be harder for Illustrator to follow your drawing.
    Use The Pencil Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas72 096682.jpg
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  6. 6
    Click "OK"
    .
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  7. 7
    Create a line on the canvas
    .
    You will see that it is more difficult for Illustrator to follow your shape when "Fidelity" is increased. If you want to make sure your drawing looks more organic, make sure "Fidelity" and "Smoothness" are low before you click "OK" in the "Pencil Tool Options".
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  8. 8
    At the top of the screen, you can see and alter different settings in the horizontal menu
    .
    The settings include stroke and fill colors, line thickness, line style, and line opacity. These options are worth experimenting with as you can get quite interesting calligraphic effects, for example. Adjust the options according to your preferences by clicking the drop-down menus.
    Use The Pencil Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas142 001522.jpg
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  9. 9
    Double-click the pencil icon in the vertical toolbar
    .
    This will bring up "Pencil Tool Options". Let's see the other available options. One of these options is "Keep selected". There is also "Edit selected paths".
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  10. 10
    Uncheck "Keep selected" and click "OK"
    .
    "Keep Selected" allows you to keep the new line that you draw selected. When "Keep selected" is unchecked, the line will not be selected after you draw it.
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  11. 11
    You can uncheck or check "Edit Selected Paths"
    .
    When checked, it basically means that when you are drawing a line, the option will manipulate other lines within the radius of the number of pixels that you specify in "Within".. The default setting is 12 pixels; however, this can be changed by clicking and dragging the scroller to the right or left.
    Use The Pencil Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas268 820225.jpg
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  12. 12
    You can click "Reset" to clear your changes
    .
    Everything will return to the default settings.
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  13. 13
    If you are satisfied with your changes, click "OK" to apply them to your document
    .
    Use The Pencil Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas277 711663.jpg
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This tutorial has shown you how to use "Pencil Tool" in Adobe Illustrator CS6 in Windows 7. If you have any questions or comments regarding this video, write them into the section below; and we will respond to you soon. Thank you for choosing VisiHow!

Video: Use Pencil Tool in Adobe Illustrator CS6

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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Categories : Software

Recent edits by: VisiHow, Freya

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