Draw curves with the Pen tool

To create a curve, add an anchor point where a curve changes direction, and drag the direction lines that shape the curve. The length and slope of the direction lines determine the shape of the curve.

Curves are easier to edit and your system can display and print them faster if you draw them using as few anchor points as possible. Using too many points can also introduce unwanted bumps in a curve. Instead, draw widely spaced anchor points, and practice shaping curves by adjusting the length and angles of the direction lines.

  1. Select the Pen tool .
  2. Position the Pen tool where the curve is to begin, and hold down the mouse button.

    The first anchor point appears, and the Pen tool pointer changes to an arrowhead. (In Photoshop, the pointer changes only after you’ve started dragging.)

  3. Drag to set the slope of the curve segment you’re creating, and then release the mouse button.

    In general, extend the direction line about one third of the distance to the next anchor point you plan to draw. (You can adjust one or both sides of the direction line later.)

    Hold down the Shift key to constrain the tool to multiples of 45°.

    Drawing the first point in a curve

    A.
    Positioning Pen tool
    B.
    Starting to drag (mouse button pressed)
    C.
    Dragging to extend direction lines
  4. Position the Pen tool where the curve segment is to end, and do one of the following:

    • To create a C-shaped curve, drag in a direction opposite to the previous direction line and release the mouse button.

      Drawing the second point in a curve

      A.
      Starting to drag second smooth point
      B.
      Dragging away from previous direction line, creating a C curve
      C.
      Result after releasing mouse button

    • To create an S-shaped curve, drag in the same direction as the previous direction line and release the mouse button.

      Drawing an S curve

      A.
      Starting to drag new smooth point
      B.
      Dragging in the same direction as previous direction line, creating an S curve
      C.
      Result after releasing mouse button
  5. To create a series of smooth curves, continue dragging the Pen tool from different locations. Place anchor points at the beginning and end of each curve, not at the tip of the curve.
    To break out the direction lines of an anchor point, Alt-drag (Windows) or Option-drag (Macintosh) direction lines.
  6. To complete the path, do one of the following:

    • To close the path, position the Pen tool over the first (hollow) anchor point. A small circle appears next to the Pen tool pointer  when it is positioned correctly. Click or drag to close the path.

    • To leave the path open, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (Macintosh) anywhere away from all objects, select a different tool, or choose Edit > Deselect All.

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