Note
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The following table lists shortcuts that you can use to modify a path while you are creating it with the Pen tool .png "Ee341404.d514358f-185a-412f-a55d-36633b25dc8a(en-us,Expression.40).png")
. You can also use the Pen tool to add or remove points on an existing path, or to join two existing paths.
| To do this action | Do this | Pointer |
|---|---|---|
Create a point to start a straight line segment |
Click to create the new point |
.png "Ee341404.0bfb1b71-80ac-4ad4-aed8-40e09f8b7ab8(en-us,Expression.40).png")
Pen pointer |
Create a point to start a curved line segment |
Click to create the new point, and then drag to adjust the tangent handles before releasing the mouse button |
Pen pointer |
Adjust the last tangent without the smooth constraint, allowing you to make a sharp corner |
Click to create the new point, and then press ALT before releasing the mouse button |
.png "Ee341404.317e5475-b70c-489f-9477-110a98639ade(en-us,Expression.40).png")
Pen adjust pointer |
Split the last tangent so that the tangent end points operate independently, allowing you to make a sharp corner |
Click to create the new point, and then hold down ALT and drag before releasing the mouse button |
Pen adjust pointer |
Move the tangent end point around the new point in 15-degree increments |
Click to create the new point, and then hold down SHIFT+ALT and drag before releasing the mouse button |
Pen adjust pointer |
Reduce the tangent at an end point to zero length |
Click the end point |
Pen adjust pointer |
Add a new point to an existing path |
Click the path at the location where you want the new point |
.png "Ee341404.b004ad5a-33a4-46ae-81c0-20be0d819332(en-us,Expression.40).png")
Pen insert pointer |
Remove a point from a path |
Hover over an existing point and click |
.png "Ee341404.08a64b78-f3df-4730-8169-c56b5631b071(en-us,Expression.40).png")
Pen delete pointer |
Close a path with a sharp corner |
Click the start point |
.png "Ee341404.a12fd3b4-a553-4762-b01c-c35efa594362(en-us,Expression.40).png")
Pen close pointer |
Close a path with a smooth curve at the corner |
Click the start point and drag to modify the tangent handle before releasing the mouse button |
Pen close pointer |
Create a sharp corner when joining two paths |
Select two paths, click the Pen tool, click an end point of one of the paths, and then click an end point of the other path |
.png "Ee341404.bd12dfa4-112e-4f37-9765-3479e6b69894(en-us,Expression.40).png")
Pen join pointer |
Create a smooth corner when joining two paths |
Select two paths, click the Pen tool, click an end point of one of the paths, and then drag an end point of the other path |
Pen join pointer |
Create a new path |
Hold down CTRL and click outside the previous path to stop adding points to the previous path, and then click or drag where you want the new path to begin |
.png "Ee341404.69758176-5f53-465b-808c-f13fd1a0b3f2(en-us,Expression.40).png")
Pen start pointer |
See also
Concepts
Pen tool modifier keys
Artboard modifier keys
Direct Selection tool modifier keys
Drawing shapes and paths
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