Pen Tool (P)

Lets you create a wide variety of open or closed shapes with straight or curved line segments

If you draw a closed shape, it will automatically be filled

Using the PEN Tool
one of the most versatile tools
also one of most difficult to master

Paths, Path Segments, Anchor Points and Tangent handles
A path is a line or shape made up of 3 elements

• path segments
• anchor points
• tangent handles

Path segments- are small portions of an overall path (line) that have an anchor point at each end

Anchor Points-connect various path segments and define where the path changes

Tangent Handles- extend out from an anchor point


Flash will automatically fill a closed path with the current fill displayed on the fill panel

Creating Paths
To Create a straight path with the pen tool

• Select pen
• choose line color, size, and style from stroke panel or on toolbar
• Click the point you want to begin
• Continue clicking on various spots on stage. Each time you click, you’ve created a new anchor point and adding a straight path segment. Pressing the shift key when clicking form one point to the next will constrain the line’s angle to 45 degree increments
• To create a closed path click on starting point
• to create an open path double click the last point you create
• select pen tool again
• control click anywhere on the stage

LAB DRAW A HEART

To create curved paths with the pen tool

• select pen
• set line color, size, style, etc
• click and drag on the stage to create an anchor point with tangent handles
• Release mouse button move the cursor to where you want next anchor point
• click and drag to finish creating a curved segment between the 2 anchor points
• continue

Working with Path segments
reshape a path segment using arrow tool

• select arrow tool
• click and drag the path segment to reshape it

Can use tangent handles too