The Pen tool (B) creates custom bezier paths — arbitrary closed or open shapes defined by user-placed anchor points and their associated control handles.

Anchor Points

Anchor points are the nodes that define the path. The path passes through every anchor point. Between anchor points, the path is shaped by the bezier control handles attached to each anchor.

Creating Anchor Points:

•Click on the canvas to place a corner point (no curve at this anchor)
•Click and drag to place a smooth point (curved path at this anchor — the drag direction sets the initial handle direction)

Anchor Point Types:

Type	Description
Corner	No curve; the path changes direction abruptly at this point
Smooth	The two handles are colinear (opposite each other); the path flows smoothly through the point
Asymmetric	The two handles point in opposite directions but can have independent lengths
Disconnected	Each handle moves independently, creating a cusp (sharp direction change with a curve)

Converting Point Types

Alt+click an anchor point to toggle between Corner and Smooth. Alt+drag a handle to convert to an Asymmetric or Disconnected point.

Bezier Handles

Each smooth anchor point has two control handles: an in-handle (controlling the curve arriving at the point) and an out-handle (controlling the curve leaving the point).

•Handles appear as small circular grips connected to the anchor point by a thin line
•Dragging a handle changes the curve on the corresponding side of the anchor
•For smooth points, moving one handle automatically mirrors the opposite handle's angle (but not length)
•For asymmetric points, moving one handle does not affect the other

Handle Length

Longer handles produce more gradual curves. Shorter handles produce tighter curves that change direction more quickly.

Closing Paths

A path can be open (the first and last anchor points are not connected) or closed (the first and last points connect, forming an enclosed shape).

•Click on the first anchor point while drawing to close the path
•Press Escape to finish the path without closing it (leaving it open)
•Open paths can be given a fill — the fill is applied as if a straight line connected the two open endpoints

Editing Existing Paths

Once a path is created, it can be edited at any time using Path Edit mode, activated by:

•Double-clicking a path with the Selection tool
•Pressing Enter while a path is selected

In Path Edit mode:

•All anchor points become visible and selectable
•Anchor points can be moved by dragging
•New anchor points can be added by clicking on any segment of the path
•Existing anchor points can be deleted by selecting them and pressing Delete
•Handles are visible and adjustable

Press Escape or V to exit Path Edit mode and return to the Selection tool.

The Pen Tool & Custom Paths