Adobe Pen Tool: Mastery

Course details

Become more proficient with the Adobe Pen tool by learning advanced techniques, including the proper way to create Bezier curves. In this course, Deke McClelland takes a deep dive into the intricacies of this Adobe standby, and helps bolster your expertise by explaining its mechanics and features. Deke starts off by discussing Bezier curves in anatomical detail—all the way down to their anchor points, control handles, and segments. In addition, he explains the difference between constrained and unconstrained path dragging, and shows how to create smooth and cusp points. Next, he explains how curves really work, providing their mathematical underpinnings. He then gives you an advanced look at how pen functionality works across the three main graphic design programs in the Creative Cloud suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Learning objectives
Creating and editing Bezier curves
Drawing in Illustrator
Working with a vector-based shape layer
Tracing a complex image with the Pen tool
Using a vector mask in a composition
Drawing a custom symbol in InDesign
Creating inline graphics
Wrapping text around an offset path
Customizing text converted to outlines

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Welcome

1. Creating and Editing B zier Curves

02 - B zier curve fundamentals
03 - Working with B zier curves
04 - Dragging an unconstrained path
05 - Dragging a constrained path
06 - Creating a smooth point
07 - Drawing a curved segment
08 - Adding segments to a B zier curve
09 - Closing a path with a curved segment
10 - Extending and connecting curves
11 - Creating a cusp point
12 - Alternate ways to create cusp points
13 - Hidden Pen tool tricks
14 - How B zier curves really, truly work

2. Rules to Draw By

15 - The zero-or-two rule
16 - The two-thirds rule
17 - The oval-and-arc rule
18 - The tangent rule
19 - The straight-to-curve rule

3. Drawing in Illustrator

20 - Introducing a tracing template
21 - Drawing a flexible compound shape
22 - Signposts and stacking order
23 - Advanced transformations
24 - Dynamic round corners
25 - Variable-width strokes
26 - Advanced Width tool tricks
27 - When to use the Pencil tool
28 - Combining drawing tools
29 - Using variable-width profiles
30 - Converting strokes to closed paths
31 - Shape building and angled objects
32 - Gradients and clipping paths
33 - Working with the Gradient tool
34 - Experimenting with dynamic effects
35 - The finishing touches

4. Vector Masking in Photoshop

36 - Vector-based paths in a pixel-based world
37 - Working with a vector-based shape layer
38 - The Pen tool and the Paths panel
39 - Filling and stroking a path outline
40 - Turning a path into a vector-based mask
41 - Why and when to use vector masks
42 - Tracing a complex image with the Pen tool
43 - Converting a selection to a path outline
44 - Using a vector mask in a composition
45 - Repurposing a mask as a path outline
46 - Drawing a shape layer with the Pen tool
47 - Using a shape layer as a clipping mask
48 - Stroking a path with the Brush tool

5. Layout and Design in InDesign

49 - Custom symbols and page ornaments
50 - Drawing a custom symbol in InDesign
51 - Drawing in Illustrator and pasting into InDesign
52 - Creating inline graphics
53 - Converting shapes and anchor points
54 - Creating type along a path outline
55 - Creating text around a circle
56 - Creating text inside any path outline
57 - Wrapping text around an offset path
58 - Customizing text converted to outlines

Conclusion

59 - Next steps