Shortcut to deselect path

[Zevoxa]

When I'm working with the pen tool, and create just a stroke (not a full shape), I have to go all the way over to the direct selection tool and click in the margin to deselect that one path. I see people on you to make strokes and deselect the current stroke and make another one with out even flinching towards the direct selection tool. So how do I do this?

[CarlosCanto]

grab the Selection Tool (V) or the Direct Selection Tool (A), then grab the Pen Tool (P) and start drawing, to deselect and start drawing a new path, press Ctrl (this temporarily switches to your last selection tool), click anywhere, then release Ctrl and you're ready to draw your next path.

[Zevoxa]

Well, I knew the short cut keys, but never thought of doing it like that...

[_scott_ · Accepted solution]

Command/Ctrl-Shift-A will "deselect all"

I'd go mad without that shortcut.

[vinhn26273737]

You just changed my life soo much right now. You have no clue!!! #scottforpresident

[aghostdream]

Oddly enough that shortcut isn't working for me. 

[juang31280445]

Same for me. Does nothing. I'm using Illustrator 2021 25.2.1 

Any other methods?

[andrander]

DOESN'T WORK! Animate 2022

[Monika Gause]

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@andrander  schrieb:

DOESN'T WORK! Animate 2022

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This is the Illustrator forum. Tips posted here might or might not work in Animate. Most of the tools mentioned here do not even exist in Animate.

[andrander]

I would go crazy without that answer. Why doesn't in pop up in google search by "deselect pen" query? "Deselect all" does not work!!!

[Monika Gause]

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@andrander  schrieb:

I would go crazy without that answer. Why doesn't in pop up in google search by "deselect pen" query? "Deselect all" does not work!!!

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Carlos' answer is ten years old. In the meantime Illustrator has improved a lot. Grabbing the selection tools before drawing with the pen tool is no longer necessary.