Use the Pen Tool in Illustrator CS6

Edited by Freya, VisiHow, Eng, Visihow Admin

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

Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas342 702606.jpg

Steps

  1. 1
    You should open Adobe Illustrator and a document
    .
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas11 471078.jpg
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  2. 2
    Click the "Pen Tool" icon in the vertical menu on the left side of the window
    .
    The "Pen Tool" icon is a fountain pen.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas19 321121.jpg
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  3. 3
    You can draw straight lines by clicking once and then clicking another location on the canvas
    .
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas32 981121.jpg
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  4. 4
    Hover the cursor over the canvas
    .
    Illustrator will suggest where to click to connect your lines and create a geometric shape. In this case, Illustrator shows us how to draw a right-angle triangle.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas41 761121.jpg
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  5. 5
    Click the "Fill" color box in the toolbar to the left
    .
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas54 861314.jpg
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  6. 6
    Click a color
    .
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas57 662314.jpg
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  7. 7
    Click "OK"
    .
    The shape will be automatically filled.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas58 540313.jpg
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  8. 8
    Press "Ctrl" + "Z" to step back
    .
    You will come back to the blank canvas. You can also use "Pen Tool" to create curves.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas70 611481.jpg
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  9. 9
    To create a curve, click and drag somewhere on the canvas
    .
    This will create handles on either side of the anchor point.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas75 821559.jpg
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  10. 10
    Let go of the button
    .
    The handle will be created.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas81 611481.jpg
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  11. 11
    Click and drag somewhere to create another handle
    .
    You will form a curve between the two anchor points.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas86 581559.jpg
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  12. 12
    You can keep creating anchor points for a longer curve
    .
    You can easily draw a wavy line. You have to experiment and get used to the tool, which can be quite tricky. You can also create a wavy line with all of the curves facing the same way.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas91 621559.jpg
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  13. 13
    Click the "Selection Tool" black arrow
    .
    For more information, refer to our tutorial on using the "Selection Tool" and "Direct Selection Tool".
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas121 781769.jpg
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  14. 14
    Press "Delete"
    .
    This will remove the object.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas124 200944.jpg
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  15. 15
    Click "Pen Tool"
    .
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas133 881891.jpg
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  16. 16
    Click and drag somewhere to create an anchor point with a handle
    .
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas140 802891.jpg
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  17. 17
    Click and drag a point on canvas again to create a convex curve
    .
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas145 552093.jpg
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  18. 18
    Hover over an anchor point at the end of a handle
    .
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas153 692093.jpg
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  19. 19
    Then, before creating your next anchor point, press "Alt" on the keyboard
    .
    This "breaks" the handle.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas157 032093.jpg
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  20. 20
    You can manipulate the direction and move the line upwards for the next curve
    .
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas162 192093.jpg
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  21. 21
    You can then click somewhere to continue to create your next curve as before
    .
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas167 952093.jpg
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  22. 22
    You can keep creating a wavy line
    .
    This will create a cloud shape or something else with rounded corners.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas178 792093.jpg
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  23. 23
    Double-click the "Fill" box in the toolbar
    .
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas189 089093.jpg
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  24. 24
    Click a color
    .
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas194 032093.jpg
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  25. 25
    Click "OK"
    .
    When you click a color in the dialogue box, the area between the curves will be automatically filled. Keep in mind that this action does not close the path.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas194 893093.jpg
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  26. 26
    Press "Ctrl" + "Z" several times to step back
    .
    You can adjust "Pen Tool" settings at the top of the window by clicking the drop-down menus.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas216 533093.jpg
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  27. 27
    Click the "Fill" drop-down menu in the upper-left corner
    .
    You will be able to select a color.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas236 153093.jpg
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  28. 28
    You can also click the "Stroke" drop-down menu to change the stroke color
    .
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas245 833093.jpg
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  29. 29
    You can change your stroke thickness
    .
    You can do that by clicking the up and down buttons next to "Stroke".
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas252 014093.jpg
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  30. 30
    You can click the fourth drop-down menu at the top
    .
    By that, you can also change the line thickness and shape.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas260 771093.jpg
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  31. 31
    Let's click "Width Profile 2"
    .
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas266 814074.jpg
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  32. 32
    Click several times on the canvas to draw lines
    .
    Some parts of the line will be thinner or thicker.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas269 315074.jpg
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  33. 33
    Let's increase thickness by clicking the up arrow in the "Stroke" option
    .
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas283 911072.jpg
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  34. 34
    Draw a curve
    .
    It will be thicker.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas292 669049.jpg
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  35. 35
    Click the fourth drop-down menu to change the thickness and shape of the line
    .
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas298 230046.jpg
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  36. 36
    Click "Width Profile 4"
    .
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas299 271044.jpg
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  37. 37
    Draw a line on the canvas
    .
    You will see how it changes according to the width profile. In this case, there will be a retro effect.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas302 852044.jpg
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  38. 38
    Click "Pen Tool"
    .
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas311 232043.jpg
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  39. 39
    Click somewhere on the canvas
    .
    The options at the top will be brought up. They will be changed back to the default settings.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas314 993043.jpg
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  40. 40
    Click the fifth drop-down menu
    .
    This option gives more options with different brushes.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas322 293043.jpg
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  41. 41
    Click the "Opacity" drop-down menu
    .
    100 % is the default setting, which creates completely opaque lines.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas328 253043.jpg
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  42. 42
    Click another percentage to create a transparent line
    .
    Alternatively, you can type the value in the input box. Let's type "53".
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas336 673043.jpg
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  43. 43
    If you draw lines now, you will note that their opacity will be changed
    .
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas347 193043.jpg
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  44. 44
    Click the "Style" drop-down menu
    .
    You can choose the style for the line. Continue to experiment with the shapes, styles, and curves.
    Use The Pen Tool On Adobe Illustrator CS6.mp4-canvas355 97358.jpg
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This tutorial has shown you how to use "Pen 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 the Pen Tool in 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: Eng, VisiHow, Freya

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