Pencil tool options
Last updated on
Sep 11, 2025
Learn about the options that let you control the Pencil tool.
Double-click the Pencil tool in the toolbar to access the tool options:
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Function |
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Fidelity |
Controls the distance the mouse or stylus must move before adding a new anchor point to the path. The Fidelity slider provides five levels, from Accurate for precise paths to Smooth for smoother paths. |
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Fill new pencil strokes |
Applies Fill to new pencil strokes without affecting existing ones. |
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Keep selected |
Keeps the drawn path selected after you finish drawing it. |
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Option/Alt key toggles to Smooth Tool |
Switches to the Smooth tool when pressing Option (macOS) or Alt (Windows) while using the Pencil or Brush tool. |
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Close paths when ends are within |
Closes a path automatically when the mouse is released, if its endpoints are within a specified pixel distance. |
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Edit selected paths |
Allows to modify or merge a selected path when the Pencil tool comes within a specified distance. |
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Within |
Specifies the distance from a path within which the Pencil tool allows editing. |
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Live preview |
Renders the stroke styles and effects live as you draw. For Live preview and Live curve fitting to work, deselect New Art Has Basic Appearance from the Appearance panel menu, and select Real-Time Drawing and Editing from Illustrator preferences. |
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Live curve fitting |
Fits the path's curve live as you draw. If unselected, curve fitting happens only after you release the mouse or lift the stylus. This option is available only when Live preview is selected. |
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