Precision With the Pen Tool Chapter 9

Chapter Objectives • Master the use of the Pen Tool to create straight lines and Bézier curves. • Combine paths created with the Pen Tool with other drawing tools to create complex shapes. • Connect separate paths with the Lasso Tool, then align and join end points with Average and Join commands. • Create special shape combos with the Pathfinder panel. • Learn to create and adjust type on paths. • Save Illustrator files in native and EPS formats for commercial printing. • Advanced Users: Creating professional business cards with a logo. Use the Transform command to scale, copy, and position objects. Create Printer’s marks in the new Print dialog box.

Using Pen Tools (1 of 2) • The Pen Tool can create perfect straight lines between anchor points by clicking from one point to the next and create complex shapes from special Bézier curves of path segments. • Special purpose Pen tools can be used to add and delete anchor points and to change smooth curves into sharp corners. • Pen tools have symbols under the pen cursor to provide feedback as to what function you are about to perform. • Pen Tool functions can also be found in the Control panel.

Using Pen Tools (2 of 2)

Creating Straight Paths

Creating Bézier Curves (1 of 2) • Bézier curves are created by setting anchor points with the Pen Tool and dragging the mouse to define the shape of the curve. Instead of dragging the Pen Tool to draw the curve, you drag it to set the starting point or anchor point and the direction of the curve. • Path shapes are then created when the anchor point is dragged in a specific direction, creating direction lines. • Dragging two anchor points in the same direction creates an “S” curve, while dragging two anchor points in the opposite direction creates a “C” curve. • These anchor points and direction lines do not print with the artwork. To provide even more precision for individual path segments, use the Direct Selection Tool.

Creating Bézier Curves (2 of 2)

Converting Curves to Corners Curves can be made into corners and vice versa with the Convert Anchor Point Tool, or by clicking a second time over the selected anchor point using the Pen Tool to display the convert symbol underneath the cursor.

Direct Selection and Direct Select Lasso Tools (1 of 2)

• The Direct Selection Tool works in conjunction with the Pen Tool to adjust with precision the shape of a path the Pen Tool creates by adjusting its anchor points and direction lines. • The Lasso Tool is great for quickly making a freehand selection in a small area between end points of paths to be joined.

Direct Selection and Direct Select Lasso Tools (2 of 2)

Path Type Tools • Path Type tools allow the designer to place type on any path created. • One tool allows the type to be placed horizontally and the other vertically along the path. • These tools provide plenty of flexibility to apply type along any path, shape, or object created.

Creating a Logo • •

The drawing has been scanned and a template created for recreating the image in Illustrator. The Pen Tool will provide the straight and curved lines, with most adjustments made with the Direct Selection Tool.

Creating Straight Lines • To make a straight path outline, start with the Pen Tool; click first, then click again to create the straight line. • Click the same point to end the path.

Creating Bezier Curves • • • • •

To create curves with the Pen Tool, click and drag the direction lines. Click the anchor point again to generate corner point. Adjust direction lines with the Direction Selection Tool. Bezier “C” curves are made by dragging one direction line one way and then the other direction line the opposite way. Bezier “S” curves are made by dragging opposite points in the same direction.

Corners and Curves (1 of 2) • Making long, smooth corners is done best with the Pen Tool, but making sharp corners can also be done with the Pen Tool if, after drawing a direction line, you click the last anchor point again; a convert anchor point symbol is displayed under the Pen Tool cursor. • You can also use the Convert Anchor Point Tool to turn smooth lines into sharp corners and vice versa.

Corners and Curves (2 of 2)

Averaging and Joining End Points • To connect all end points of paths to make a large closed path, the Object menu contains commands to get the job done. • To freely select just the end points of the two paths to be joined, draw a freehand selection with the Lasso Tool. • To connect path end points that need to be “drawn in” to make one flowing, smooth path, use the Average command (Object > Path > Average) in the Object menu. • The Join command (Object > Path > Join) makes sure that end points are joined as one.

Object Menu and Average and Join Commands

Layering for Specific Effects Creating path sub layers among grouped layers allows you to move closed paths to a desired effect.

Path Type Tools • With Path Type tools in Illustrator, you can place type along any path or shape created by drawing tools. • The Path Type tools let you click on a path and set the text to flow along the perimeter of the path. When type is placed on the path, the path itself loses its Stroke and Fill colors and is nonprinting. It simply becomes a guide for the type to follow. • To reposition the beginning of the text, use the Direct Selection Tool to drag the path type I-beam, which looks like a vertical line. • Formatting type can be done either by using the Type menu, the Type Control panel, or by selecting the Character panel from the Window menu.

Type on Paths Using Type on Path Tool and formatting selected type using the Character panel or Control panel.

Cropping and Creating Shapes with the Pathfinder Panel The Pathfinder panel allows the designer to combine, exclude, or crop various overlapping shapes to create another composite shape.

Saving in EPS Format (1 of 2) • Saving an illustration in EPS format allows the designer to use the graphic universally in most graphic applications. • This format works well with scalable vector graphics that are going to press. • It can provide thumbnail previews and permanently paste the fonts; so the viewer does not need the actual fonts, along with other options. • In Illustrator, a designer can save to a previous version, although some editing features may not be backwards compatible. Warnings will display if saved to an earlier version, especially when type is involved.

Saving in EPS Format (2 of 2)

Advanced: Creating a Sheet of Professional Business Cards Using a Logo (1 of 2) •

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As long as the completed artwork is saved in either Illustrator’s default format (AI) or the universal Illustrator EPS format (EPS), it can be scaled to any size needed by the client. To create a logo for a business card, you only need to scale down the image using the Scale command in the Object menu (Object > Transform > Scale). Other sizes can be used for other promotional materials. To properly align these cards with text lines and the logo, drag horizontal and vertical guidelines. Using guidelines promotes consistency in the layout of the design. Remember, they are nonprinting. Once you position the lines of type and the graphic, you can modify them to balance out the card. The Transform command can also be used for moving, or positioning copies of artwork.

Advanced: Creating a Sheet of Professional Business Cards Using a Logo (2 of 2)

Scaling Using the Transform Command The Transform command in the Object menu helps to scale objects to size proportionally.

Using Guides for Alignment • To properly align these cards with text lines and the logo, drag horizontal and vertical guidelines. Using guidelines promotes consistency in the layout of the design. Remember, they are nonprinting. • Once you position the lines of type and the graphic, you can modify them to balance out the card.

Using Transform Command for Positioning The Transform Command is also used to accurately position object copies vertically and horizontally. The illustration below shows positioning multiple business cards.

Always Experiment

Creating a Proof Sheet for Press (1 of 2) • A proof sheet is larger than the document created, to show the necessary printer’s marks and provide a pressman with such things as the following: – The position of the registration marks, which will allow for precise placement of individual color plates – Trim marks to show where the document will be trimmed – Color bars to show accuracy of colors to be used – Other page information to help with the printing process – Bleeds, which extend solid color boxes of graphics beyond the trim edge of a document to avoid any paper color lines

Creating a Proof Sheet for Press (2 of 2)

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