How to Use the Pen Tool in Photoshop Part One

This introduction covers the how to begin a path, drag handles, remove a forward handle, and close a path.

The Pen Tool is one of the most powerful tools in Photoshop. It allows you to make paths which remain editable and reuseable for many different purposes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Adobe Photoshop

1. 
    
   The Pen Tool

   Open Photoshop and a file in which to create your work. Select the Pen Tool, which is represented by a fountain pen nib in the left hand tool bar in Photoshop's default workspace. I've used a black background so you can see the points easily.

2. 
    
   The Pen Tool Parameters

   Make sure that the current tool information below your menu bar reflects that you are using the Pen Tool without fill. There's a drop down menu on the far left in which you should see the fountain pen icon.
   To the right, there are three buttons. The second button should be selected, which gives you the ability to create a path without stroke or fill.
   
   Further to the right, there is a series of eight buttons. Make sure the one furthest to the left with the fountain pen is selected.
   
   Furthest to the right are four buttons with two squares in each of them. Select the one on the far left.
   
   We'll get to the other buttons in another lesson.

3. 
    
   The First Point

   Once these buttons are selected, we're ready to begin. The Pen Tool uses "points" which you connect to "paths", and manipulate by adding, moving or deleting handles. So, the first step is placing your first point. Do this by moving your mouse to where you want your path to start, and click the left mouse button once.

4. 
    
   The Second Point

   Place your second point. This will create a straight path. If you hold and drag your mouse or stylus without releasing the left button, you will create handles which makes your path curve.

5. 
    
   Removing a handle

   These handles control the curve behind and in front of the point. The curve of the next point is "interpolated" or predicted by the handles. To retain the curve behind the point and create a straight path in front, click the point whiled pressing the Option key on a Mac or the Alt on a PC. This removes the forward handle and creates a corner.

6. 
    
   Closing the Path

   To close your path, click the first point. You'll see a small ° symbol to the lower right of the Pen Tool cursor indicating "Close Path".
   
   In the next tutorial, we'll look at how to move points and handles.

Tips & Warnings

• The Pen Tool creates paths, which can be used to make selections, masks, shapes, and vector graphics. Paths use "Bezier curves", which create curves that are scalable and smoother than curves made with raster tools like the Brush.
• The Pen tool can be very frustrating to learn, but it really is worth it. If there's anything in this series you'd like clarification on, please let me know and I either update the tutorial or respond directly.