Pen Tool Techniques

[scot1458721]

To create a shape like the one in the image below, which option would you use and why?

As you can see option "A" only uses anchor points at the peaks and then uses broken handles to achieve the curve in between points. Option "B" also uses anchor points at each peak but with no handles, so an extra anchor point with handles is needed in the middle to achieve the curve.

Personally I have found that option B is the faster technique even though it requires more anchor points. Option A requires a lot of finessing of the handles to get the curves just right. But which option would you use?

[Jacob Bugge]

Scot,

Fundamentally, the fewest possible number of Anchor Points. If you compare, placing on top of each other and have a closer look (you may change the colour of one and then the other to something different, such as red to get a contrast for the comparison), you may be able to see why see why (unless you have managed to get the Handles made corresponding to what you would get by adding Anchor Points).

[Jeff Witchel, ACI]

Like Jacob, I prefer A, because there are less anchor points.

My friend Batman agrees.

[Daniel E Lane]

Version A for sure. Less anchor points on all of those curves tends to make for cleaner curves.

[mjbelt]

Version A the best, but Version B okay also.

Hi Jeff!

[Eugenio.NYC]

Yes I agree, A is better... but at the end whatever’s more comfortable for you, B maybe will be easier