Select the Quick Pen tool (beta).
A toolbar appears with Quick Pen tool actions that you can switch as you draw.
Last updated on
Oct 18, 2023
Get started with drawing tools and learn how to create designs and artwork using editable paths.
Illustrator on the web (beta) is now available for testing and feedback.
Explore new features and share your thoughts.
Note:
The app is available as part of your Illustrator subscription.
Paths and shapes are the building blocks of any artwork or design. You are familiar with shape tools like Rectangle, Polygon, and Ellipse, which allow you to create predefined shapes. With drawing tools like the Quick Pen tool (beta), Pen and Pencil, you can draw freeform paths, smooth curves, and straight lines and create customized shapes. So, let's explore drawing tools and add a hand-drawn quality to your illustrations with ease and precision.
Use new beta features
The Quick Pen tool is available for testing and feedback. Try it now in Illustrator on the web (Beta).
Play this video to learn how to make shapes with lines and arcs using the Quick Pen tool (beta).
Refer to the keyboard shortcuts that Sarah mentioned in the video as you perform the following steps:
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Click anywhere on the canvas to set the start point, and then select the actions in the toolbar based on the path you want to draw:
Toolbar action
How to draw with it
Click or drag anywhere on the canvas to draw lines.
Click or drag anywhere on the canvas to draw smooth curves or arcs.
Click or drag anywhere on the canvas to draw arcs.
Other action
What it does
Flips the side of the sharp-cornered arc that you draw.
Provides access to actions like Show or Hide toolbar, Reset toolbar, Give feedback, and more.
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Drag the icon from the start or end point of the path to increase or decrease the line or arc length.
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Drag the anchor points or the path to edit the object.
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To move the Quick Pen toolbar, hover over it until the pointer changes to , and then drag it.
You can continue drawing from the start or end point of a path. Press Esc, select the start or end point of the path with the Quick Pen tool (beta), and resume your path creation.
When you select the icon in the Quick Pen toolbar, the following options appear that help you manage and learn more about the tool:
- Hide toolbar: Hides the Quick Pen toolbar from the workspace. To view the toolbar, right-click the canvas using the Quick Pen tool (beta), and then select Show toolbar.
- Reset toolbar: Resets the position of the toolbar to its original location on the workspace.
- Learn more: provides information on how to get started with the Quick Pen tool (beta).
- Give feedback: Lets you provide feedback on the Quick Pen tool (beta).
To delete a path, select the anchor points, and then right-click the canvas using the Quick Pen tool (beta) and select Delete. Also, you can view all the Quick Pen tool (beta) options when you right-click.
|
Action |
Windows |
macOS |
|
Select the Quick Pen tool (beta) |
Alt + P |
Option + P |
|
Switch between each tool action on the Quick Pen toolbar |
Alt |
Option |
|
Flip the arc |
C |
C |
|
Increase or decrease the arc size |
[ or ] |
[ or ] |
|
Increase or decrease the arc size while using the Trackpad |
Ctrl + scroll |
Ctrl + scroll |
Questions? We have the answers
How is the Quick Pen tool (beta)
different from the Pen tool?
The Quick Pen tool (beta)
allows you to draw and edit lines and arcs effortlessly. You can intuitively draw smooth curves and lines to build any shape.
Can I continue using the Pen tool?
Yes, select and hold the Quick Pen tool (beta) and then select the Pen tool. You can continue to draw and modify paths and curves using anchor points and handles.
Can I use Quick Pen tool (beta) on a path drawn with Pen tool?
You can continue to draw and edit the same path drawn using the Pen or shape tools with the Quick Pen tool (beta). Select the tool and resume editing easily.
Draw with the Pen tool
The Pen tool (P) lets you manually draw freehand lines, shapes, and straight or curved edges. You can modify these paths and shapes with anchor points and handles.
Draw a straight line
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Click anywhere on the artboard to set the anchor point using the Pen tool.
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Move the pointer and click again to draw a line. Press Shift as you click to draw a straight line.
Draw a curve
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Drag the Pen tool on the artboard and release it to create direction handles of the anchor point.
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Drag again to set the slope of the curve segment, and then release.
You can add or delete anchor points on the path and adjust the handles of a smooth point using the Pen tool:
- Add anchor point: Select anywhere on the path when the pointer shows this icon.
- Delete anchor point: Select the anchor point when the pointer shows this icon.
Draw with the Pencil tool
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Select the Pencil tool (N) and drag it on the artboard to draw a freeform path. Press Shift as you drag to draw a straight line.
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To set the smoothing of the Pencil tool as you draw, select the icon and use the slider to choose a value that works the best.
Pro tips and tricks
- Hover over a tool to view a short clip and tip on how it works.
- Position the tool over the first anchor point, and then click to close the path.
- Perform actions directly on the canvas using the Contextual Task Bar displayed when you select the path using the Direct Selection tool.
Finalize your artwork
You can also take your artwork to Illustrator on the desktop and refine it by selecting the Open in desktop app button. Once your artwork is complete, select Share > Publish and export to save it in other formats (PNG, JPEG, AiT, Ai, PDF, and SVG) and share it with anyone, anywhere.
Have a question or an idea?
If you have a question to ask or an idea to share, come and participate in Adobe Illustrator on the web (beta) Community. We would love to hear from you and see your creations.
