Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
ating custom shapes and masks. In this lesson, you will cover some exercises to help you improve your
Pen tool skills.
Reading the Pen tool cursor
Before starting, note that the Pen tool has a versatile feature that allows you to create new anchor points,
add anchor points to existing paths, and remove anchor points from existing paths. The tool's appearance
changes based on the item that the cursor is hovering over on the art board. Pay attention to the appearance
of the tool cursor, since it will assist you in using all the Pen tool's functions.
PEN TOOL
VARIATION
DESCRIPTION
Indicates that the Pen tool will create a new line.
Only appears when you are in the process of creating a line; it signals that the next
anchor point created will continue that line.
Indicates that the Pen tool can be used to convert the anchor point it is currently
hovering over. This icon only appears when the Pen tool is hovering over the last
anchor point that was created in a selected path.
Indicates that the Pen tool will pick up a path and continue from the end point you
are hovering over. This icon only appears next to the Pen tool when it is hovering
over the endpoint of a path that you are not currently creating.
Indicates that the Pen tool will connect the path that is currently being created to
the end point of a different path.
Indicates that the Pen tool will close the path that you are currently creating.
Indicates that the Pen tool will remove the anchor point that it is currently hovering
over. This icon only appears when the Pen tool is hovering over an anchor point on
a selected path.
Indicates that the Pen tool will add an anchor point to the line segment that it is
currently hovering over. This icon only appears when the Pen tool is hovering over
a line segment on a selected path.
Uses of the Pen tool in Photoshop
Before using the Pen tool, you should understand the reason this is an important tool to know.
Even though there is a shape component to the Pen tool, it is predominantly used for very precise and
clean selections. These selections can allow your image to be silhouetted or masked to take advantage of
any number of image editing features. In the examples below, you see how the Pen tool was used to sil-
houette a building and then to change the zigzag stroke on the building.
