Pen Tool

Use the Pen Tool to draw custom vector paths made of straight lines and bezier curves. Paths can be open or closed, styled, and animated.

Activate the Pen Tool

• •Press P
• •Click the Pen icon in the left sidebar

The Pen Tool stays active until you switch tools.

How paths work

Paths are built from a few core elements:

• •Path anchors (anchor points) – points that define the shape of the path
• •Path segments – straight or curved lines between anchors
• •Bezier handles – controls that shape curves
• •Open path – start and end points are different
• •Closed path – end point connects back to the start

Draw straight lines

1. Select the Pen Tool

2. Click to place the first path anchor

3. Click again to place another anchor

4. A straight segment forms between points

5. Continue clicking to add segments

6. Press Escape to finish

Tips

• •Click the first anchor to close the path

Draw curves

1. Select the Pen Tool

2. Click and drag to place a curved anchor

3. Release to set bezier handles

4. Click and drag the next anchor to form a curve

5. Repeat as needed

6. Press Escape or close the path

Curve control

• •Longer handles create wider curves
• •Shorter handles create tighter curves
• •Handle direction controls curve direction

Control anchor behavior

Curve anchors

• •Created by clicking and dragging
• •Handles are aligned and move together
• •Used for smooth, flowing shapes

Sharp anchors

• •Created by clicking without dragging
• •No handles
• •Used for corners and angles

Disconnected anchors

• •Disconnect the anchors in Path Editing mode on the Right Side Panel
• •Handles move independently
• •Useful for curve to straight transitions

Close or continue paths

Close a path

• •Click the first anchor point
• •Or right click and choose Close Path

Continue an open path

• •Select the Pen Tool
• •Click an end anchor to continue drawing

Closed paths can display fills. Open paths use strokes only.

Appearance and animation

• •Fills and strokes work on paths
• •Fills appear only on closed paths
• •Strokes work on open and closed paths