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LinkedIn Learning

Adobe Pen Tool: Mastery

via LinkedIn Learning

Overview

Explore the intricacies of the Pen tool. Learn advanced techniques and how you can use the tool across Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Syllabus

Introduction
  • Welcome
1. Creating and Editing Bézier Curves
  • Bézier curve fundamentals
  • Working with Bézier curves
  • Dragging an unconstrained path
  • Dragging a constrained path
  • Creating a smooth point
  • Drawing a curved segment
  • Adding segments to a Bézier curve
  • Closing a path with a curved segment
  • Extending and connecting curves
  • Creating a cusp point
  • Alternate ways to create cusp points
  • Hidden Pen tool tricks
  • How Bézier curves really, truly work
2. Rules to Draw By
  • The zero-or-two rule
  • The two-thirds rule
  • The oval-and-arc rule
  • The tangent rule
  • The straight-to-curve rule
3. Drawing in Illustrator
  • Introducing a tracing template
  • Drawing a flexible compound shape
  • Signposts and stacking order
  • Advanced transformations
  • Dynamic round corners
  • Variable-width strokes
  • Advanced Width tool tricks
  • When to use the Pencil tool
  • Combining drawing tools
  • Using variable-width profiles
  • Converting strokes to closed paths
  • Shape building and angled objects
  • Gradients and clipping paths
  • Working with the Gradient tool
  • Experimenting with dynamic effects
  • The finishing touches
4. Vector Masking in Photoshop
  • Vector-based paths in a pixel-based world
  • Working with a vector-based shape layer
  • The Pen tool and the Paths panel
  • Filling and stroking a path outline
  • Turning a path into a vector-based mask
  • Why and when to use vector masks
  • Tracing a complex image with the Pen tool
  • Converting a selection to a path outline
  • Using a vector mask in a composition
  • Repurposing a mask as a path outline
  • Drawing a shape layer with the Pen tool
  • Using a shape layer as a clipping mask
  • Stroking a path with the Brush tool
5. Layout and Design in InDesign
  • Custom symbols and page ornaments
  • Drawing a custom symbol in InDesign
  • Drawing in Illustrator and pasting into InDesign
  • Creating inline graphics
  • Converting shapes and anchor points
  • Creating type along a path outline
  • Creating text around a circle
  • Creating text inside any path outline
  • Wrapping text around an offset path
  • Customizing text converted to outlines
Conclusion
  • Next steps

Taught by

Deke McClelland

Reviews

4.7 rating at LinkedIn Learning based on 35 ratings

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