Pen Tool Practice

To get to the Pen Tool Practice files, use the links in Google Classroom instead of the instructions shown here! General instructions for using the pen tool below are correct.

• Go to the Shared Drive > Graphics 1 > Pen Tool Practice

• On the Folder, Right Click (or Control Click) to "Copy Pen Tool Practice"

• Click on your Desktop and "Paste item"

• Open 2.Zen and use the Pen Tool (P) to trace around the letters

  • Set your Fill for NO fill and Stroke to black, 1 pt

  • Use your Shift key to keep the line straight and perpendicular

  • Close shapes by connecting the end point to the beginning point or press  Enter or Escape to release the Pen Tool

• Open 5.zen and follow the curved line creating 'handles' for each curve

  • To make curves, click and drag in the FORWARD direction of the line

  • Don't edit the handles until after you have finished the making the complete line

  • Press Enter or Escape to release the Pen Tool

  • To reconnect to an open path, hover over and click on the end anchor point.

  • Edit anchor points and 'handles' using the Direct Selection tool (A). Deselect the object before selecting the handle you want to alter.

• Open 6.zen. Make the shape of the cloud using the Pen Tool

  • Make points and switch directions while drawing: click and drag from the point forward but match the angle of the back handle with the curve you want behind the point. Before letting go of the forward handle, hold down the Option key  and adjust the forward handle in the direction of the next curve. Let go of the mouse, then let go of the option key.

  • To finish, click on the beginning anchor point to make a closed shape.

• Open 7.zen. Follow the path of maze using the techniques you have learned. Go all the way through before going back to edit the anchor points. When editing:

  • Use the Add Anchor Point (+) and Delete Anchor Point (-) add or subtract anchor points

  • Use Anchor Point Tool to add or take away Bezier 'handles' to anchor points