photoshop creative
Apr
2

Photoshop Tip: Pen tool tricks

Posted in:
Tips & Tutorials, by Mark White
April 2, 2012

Here are a few tips that’ll make creating a selection in Photoshop with the Pen tool much easier

When you’re using the Pen tool, use the Ctrl/Cmd key to activate the Direct Selection tool. This means points along the path can be moved as you go.

Also, if you’re making curved lines with the Pen tool, you’ll notice that each proceeding line created will bend in the opposite direction as the previous one.

Press the Alt/Opt key and click on the last point to reset the Pen tool back to creating straight lines, instead of curved ones.

Pen tool tips

  • Excellent tip. I’ve used the pen tool to hand select a model’s wardrobe in order to change the color, but not to select the foreground for the purposes of erasing the background. I’ll definitely try this to see how I like it. I’m already hand erasing the background via the eraser tool so why not trace the foreground instead if it’s more efficient. Nice concise pitch that gets to the point by way of your written instructions.

  • Sharon

    When using the pen tool to create a path I sometimes get hundreds of points instead of the few I need. Where are the extra points coming from? I usually go in and delete all the excessive points. What a pain.

  • trev cape

    Another nice one, keep em easy:)

  • Sharon H

    I see that someone else is having the same problem as I have. When using the pen tool to create a path I sometimes get hundreds of points instead of the few I need. Where are the extra points coming from? I usually go in and delete all the excessive points. What a pain.
    What’s the answer?