Pen Tool Cheat Sheet

Become a Pen Tool Master

THE PEN TOOL CAN BE TRICKY...

But it’s worth taking the time to really get the hang of this tool. As you keep growing in your MoGraph career you’ll

encounter the pen tool, or similar variations of it, again and again in different pieces of software. Don’t worry, with a

little practice you’ll be wielding the pen tool like a pro in no time.

HOTKEYS (While Pen Tool is active) MAC to PC

CMD.......................................................Direct Selection
MAC PC
OPTION..................................................Anchor Point Tool
COMMAND CTRL
OPTION ALT

DRAWING PATHS
Hold Spacebar while drawing to reposition last point.

SHIFT + Click to draw paths at 45 degree angles.

Click + Drag to add a point with handles.

OPTION + Click on an anchor point to add, remove or redraw handles.

OPTION + Click + Drag handle to break relationship between handles.

Click on deselected anchor point to continue drawing from that point.

Click + Drag on deselected anchor point to continue drawing with handles.

Click on path segment to add an anchor point.

Click on an anchor point to remove it.

Drag a handle back to it’s anchor point to remove it.

SMOOTH AS BUTTER
Here are some tips to keep in mind for keeping

your paths looking good.

• Use as few anchor points as possible.

• Use vertical and horizontal handles as much as possible.

• Use 45 degree angled handles for tricky curves.

• Place anchor points at extremes of shapes.