Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
THE NEW PENCIL SETTINGS (FOR OTHER TOOLS TOO)
The Pencil tool has undergone what appears to be a very small change, but in
fact will change the way you work with it. Gone is the Smoothness slider, and
instead you have one Fidelity slider. By default, the Pencil tool now smooths
a hand-drawn path, which can result in fewer anchor points. However, you
can double-click the Pencil tool to open Pencil Options where you can adjust
the Fidelity slider from (the most) Accurate to (the most) Smooth. You'll see
the same Fidelity settings for the Smooth tool, Paintbrush, and Blob Brush
tools.
Various objects Kevin Stohlmeyer drew using the new Pencil tool, freeform, and
with Option/Alt and click-dragging to create straight
lines
If you need to draw precisely with the Pencil, Paint-brush, or Blob Brush
tools, you must move the Fidelity slider all the way to the far left (most
Accurate). Choose Smoother options if you want fewer points and more
graceful curves, If you are a seasoned Pencil user, you should be aware that
there has been another change in the default behavior of the tool. Now by
default, pressing the Option/Alt key with the Pencil tool selected will switch
to drawing straight lines or, if within tolerances for editing the path,
straighten the curve between segments. If you want to restore the ability to
access the Smooth tool with the Option/Alt key for easy path smoothing
while drawing, choose that option in the Pencil Tool Options dialog. The CC
Pencil tool now automatically closes a path when your end point is close to
the start point. To keep the path from closing, zoom in so the distance
between start and end appears farther apart. Your Fidelity setting determines
if the path joins with a smooth or corner point.
