Trying to understand paths.

[gunzelguy]

I used to be a heavy Iluustrator user but haven't touched the program for about 20 years. I'm trying to draw over a map with the pen tool. When I last did this I created a new layer for each segment but now it looks like it wants me to create a new path. I'm sure this is a much more efficient way of doing things but I'm a bit lost, can anyone point this Illustrtor oldie/newbie to to turorial on this? Basically I want to draw lots of paths and be able to independently style them.

[CarlosCanto]

one of In-app tutorials

https://www.adobe.com/learn/illustrator/web/pen-tool-exercises?learnIn=1&locale=en

here's a "game" to practice

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/games/pen-tool-game/

here's another practice game

https://bezier.method.ac/

and here's a more traditional excercise template style practice

https://www.behance.net/gallery/29099185/Pen-Tool-Exercises

[gunzelguy]

I'm actually fine at using the pen tool, it's just that last time I used it I put each segement on its own layer, now when I create a path it creates a new path sub layer on a layer. If I add to that path it is still on the same path, I want it seperate so I can style if differently. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to whether it stays on the same path or creates a new path.

[CarlosCanto]

If I remember correctly, the Pen Tool behaves "exactly" the same as it did 20 years ago. 

but it doesn't matter, follow the tutorials and re learn it as if you never used it before. You should pick up the new behaviour pretty quickly.

[gunzelguy]

I'm fine with the pen tool. When I last used Ill I don't recall paths being created inside a layer and I'm having trouble understanding how I can determine when I want a new path or how to keep a new pen movement on an existing path.

[Doug A Roberts]

Every object is inside a layer by nature.

If you want to continue an existing path, click with the pen tool on one of its endpoints.

If you want to start a new path, deselect it and click anywhere.

[Kurt Gold]

It doesn't explain the connecting/disconnecting issue, but I believe you are probably referring to Illustrator 8 (late nineties) or even older versions.

Illustrator 8 was the last version that had only main layers in the Layers palette (sublayers were introduced in Illustrator 9). Also, as far as I remember, in Illustrator 8 no detailed object listing was displayed in the Layers palette.

So, this may at least explain your confusion about how layers are structured nowadays.

You can, by the way, turn on the "Show Layers Only" option in the panel options of the Layers panel.

[Jacob Bugge]

gunzelguy,

As I (mis)understand this, I believe you use the word Layer (as PS speak) for Object, and you wish to have a number of objects in the form of independent paths, maybe abutted end to end.

If that is the case, with the Pen Tool you can start out by:

• Suffering the creation of one or more continuous multisegment paths, and then cut them into individual shorter paths by using the Scissors Tool on the relevant Anchor Points, or
• Create the first desired path with one or more segments, then press P to start a new path and either just Click/ClickDrag at the desired different starting point, or with a coincident starting point Click a bit off and then press the Spacebar and move it to snap to the previous end point (with Smart Guides telling you when you are within snapping distance) and ClickDrag from there (to start a curve) or go straight to the next Anchor Point (to start straight).

I wonder whether you have done something like that in the past.

Or what Carlos said.

Edit: Hi Carlos, mild mid September here.

Edit: Hi Jacob 🙂