Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
In this first section, you'll begin to explore the Pen tool and, later in the lesson, you will
create artwork using the Pen tool and other tools and commands. Next, you'll get ready to
begin drawing.
Note
If you don't see “Reset Essentials” in the menu, choose Window > Work-
space > Essentials before choosing Window > Workspace > Reset Essen-
tials.
1.
Choose 1 from the Artboard Navigation menu in the lower-left corner of the Docu-
ment window. Choose View > Fit Artboard In Window.
2.
Choose Window > Workspace > Reset Essentials.
3.
Choose View > Smart Guides to turn off the Smart Guides. Smart Guides can be
useful when you draw, but you won't need them now.
4.
In the Control panel, click Fill color and choose None (
). Then, click the Stroke
color and make sure that the Black swatch is selected.
5.
Make sure the Stroke weight is 1 pt in the Control panel.
When you begin drawing with the Pen tool, it's usually best to have no fill on the path you
create because the fill can cover the path you are trying to create. You can add a fill later,
if necessary. Next, you'll draw a path in the work area of the artboard that looks like the
zigzag path at the top of the artboard.
6.
Select the Pen tool ( ) in the Tools panel. Position the pointer in the artboard area,
and notice the asterisk next to the Pen icon (
), indicating that you are starting
a path.
Note
If you see a crosshair ( ) instead of the Pen icon ( ), the Caps Lock
key is active. Caps Lock turns tool icons into crosshairs for increased pre-
cision.
7.
In the area labeled Work Area, click where the blue “start” square is, to set the first
anchor point. Move the pointer to the right of the original point and you will see a
line connecting the first point and the pointer, no matter where you move the point-
