Pen tool modifier keys

The following table lists shortcuts that you can use to modify a path while you are creating it with the Pen tool . You can also use the Pen tool to add or remove points on an existing path, or to join two existing paths.

To do this action	Do this	Pointer
Create a point to start a straight line segment	Click to create the new point	Pen pointer
Create a point to start a curved line segment	Click to create the new point, and then drag to adjust the tangent handles before releasing the mouse button	Pen pointer
Adjust the last tangent without the smooth constraint, allowing you to make a sharp corner	Click to create the new point, and then press ALT before releasing the mouse button	Pen adjust pointer
Split the last tangent so that the tangent end points operate independently, allowing you to make a sharp corner	Click to create the new point, and then hold down ALT and drag before releasing the mouse button	Pen adjust pointer
Move the tangent end point around the new point in 15-degree increments	Click to create the new point, and then hold down SHIFT+ALT and drag before releasing the mouse button	Pen adjust pointer
Reduce the tangent at an end point to zero length	Click the end point	Pen adjust pointer
Add a new point to an existing path	Click the path at the location where you want the new point	Pen insert pointer
Remove a point from a path	Hover over an existing point and click	Pen delete pointer
Close a path with a sharp corner	Click the start point	Pen close pointer
Close a path with a smooth curve at the corner	Click the start point and drag to modify the tangent handle before releasing the mouse button	Pen close pointer
Create a sharp corner when joining two paths	Select two paths, click the Pen tool, click an end point of one of the paths, and then click an end point of the other path	Pen join pointer
Create a smooth corner when joining two paths	Select two paths, click the Pen tool, click an end point of one of the paths, and then drag an end point of the other path	Pen join pointer
Create a new path	Hold down CTRL and click outside the previous path to stop adding points to the previous path, and then click or drag where you want the new path to begin	Pen start pointer

See also

Concepts

Pen tool modifier keys
Artboard modifier keys
Direct Selection tool modifier keys
Drawing shapes and paths

Send feedback about this topic to Microsoft. © 2011 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.