Pen Tool TUT Part 2 | Manage handle & curves

// January 26th, 2011 // DW WORLD, tutorials

Ok here is the Second Detail Tutorial for PEN TOOL.

We will be covering the following points below:
1. Straight Lines
2. Curves
4. Type of Cruves
5. Managing Curves
6. Create a heart shape.

1. Open a new file of any size as per your requirement

2. First i am going to show you how you can use pen tool to draw straight lines point to point and curves. First select your pen tool from the tool bar as in 2B. Now Click on the page to place a point then click any where from that point to place a second point and you have drawn a straight line as in 2C. Now try to create a star as i have done by just clicking on several areas to form the shape. Check point 2D and Point no. 2E to get the complete understanding of this part, also read the important note!

3. Now you guys have learned to create a straight line let us move on to Curved lined which more FUN to do.
First just observe the image above that how a curve react to the handle. If you guys are not familiar with the Handles or curve or pen tool Basic Check out my previous TUT for PEN TOOL.
So now click on the page to create your point but this time you are going to hold you click once your point is created and as you are holding you left click drag you mouse upward to bring the HANDLE OUT. Now see all the shapes i have created to understand the link between Handle and curve.

4. Types of curve

1. Smooth Curves:
Smooth curves are used when you want to draw simple shapes. They can be created by simple click and drag (drag mean you are taking out the handles remember) point to point. The beauty of these curves are that they are very accurate and automatically managed with direction of your handle’s.

2. Sharp Curves;
When you want to create a detailed Shape/drawing you need Sharp Curves type which can be achieved by using your ALT KEY on the keyboard.

For more explanation check the drawing above in sequence

5. Now we are going to use all we have learned above by drawing a heart shape. simple follow the steps in sequence and you will get the success. to create the heart shape i have place 2 point and dragged out 4 handles.