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Pen tool

Shortcut: B. The Pen tool builds vector paths point by point — corners with clicks, curves with click-drags.

  • Click to place a corner (cusp) anchor.
  • Click and drag to place a smooth anchor with symmetric handles — this curves the path through that point.
  • A rubber-band preview line follows the cursor between clicks.
  • Click the first anchor again to close the path and finish it.
  • Enter finalizes the current open path; Esc discards it.
OptionRangeWhat it does
Fillcolor / noneFill color for the new path (with a no-fill toggle)
StrokecolorStroke (outline) color
Stroke width0.5–100Outline thickness
Rubber bandon / offShow the preview line while drawing
Reset—Restore the default options
  • Mix clicks (corners) and click-drags (curves) to draw any outline.
  • Refine the result afterwards with the Direct Select tool.

See the tools overview and keyboard shortcuts.