Use the Pen tool or the Curvature tool to place a smooth point, and drag to create the handles as required.
Last updated on
Sep 11, 2025
Learn how to preview the path before placing the next anchor point when drawing with the Pen tool or the Curvature tool.
By default, the Pen tool and the Curvature tool display a preview of the path that will be drawn from the previous anchor point to the current position of the mouse pointer.
Tip
Hold Command (macOS) or Ctrl (Windows) while dragging the handles of a smooth point to create unequal handles while keeping the pairing intact.
Release the mouse and move the pointer to the position where you want to place the next anchor point. Before you place the anchor point, a path is shown indicating what will be drawn if you place an anchor point there.
Place the anchor point to draw the path as previewed.
Note
When the preview is on, pressing Esc stops showing the preview and ends the path. This is the same action as hitting the keyboard shortcut P while working with the Pen tool when the preview feature is off.
You can turn off the path preview for the Pen tool and the Curvature tool by deselecting Edit > Preferences > Selection & Anchor Display > Enable Rubber Band for (Windows) or Illustrator > Settings > Selection & Anchor Display > Enable Rubber Band for (macOS).
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