How to Avoid Using Illustrator’s Pen Tool

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I put off learning Illustrator way back when, simply because I thought I had to first master the Pen tool. Then I heard someone say eight magic little words, “You don’t have to use the Pen tool!” Wait, what? Once I let go of the concept of knowing how to create perfect paths, it was like I had been set free! In hopes of unshackling my fellow creatives, here are a few ways to avoid using Illustrator’s Pen tool.
ToolsDiagram
Pencil and Smooth Tools

The Pencil tool will get you to the same destination as the Pen tool, namely path segments with anchor points.

  • Double-click the Pencil tool to adjust the Accuracy/Smoothness slider.
  • Check “Keep Selected” and “Edit Selected Paths” to continually refine strokes as you draw and re-draw along the same path.
  • Use the Smooth tool to further refine rough edges. Run the tool over a selected path to reduce the number of anchor points for a smoother look.
  • The Pencil tool creates a more organic look, but remember all points and segments can be manipulated with the Direct Selection tool, just as if they were created with the Pen tool.
The line on the left has the fidelity set to be more accurate. The line on the right is set to create smoother curves.

The line on the left has the fidelity set to be more accurate. The line on the right is set to create smoother curves.

Blob Brush
Probably one of my favorite tools, even if its name isn’t the most flattering. Using the Blob Brush is like finger painting…but it’s for work! I often use it as color fill under “pen” sketches.

  • Double-click the tool to adjust settings, including setting accuracy vs. smoothness.
  • Choose “Keep Selected” to continually add to the brush shape. To make sure you ONLY add new strokes to the current shape, check “Merge Only with Selection.”
  • Select your brush angle, size, and pressure-sensitivity (if using a tablet/stylus).
  • Painting with the same color makes it easy to continuously add to a shape (even if you don’t choose “Merge Only with Selection.”)
  • If you’ve created a path—regardless of tool used—you can convert that path to an outline (Object > Path > Outline Stroke), then add to it with the Blob Brush.
  • Use the Eraser tool in the same fashion to further refine your drawings.
  • Remember you are creating fills—as opposed to strokes—which means you can edit and refine the individual points and segments that make up your shapes.
Painting the color fill with the Blob Brush.

Painting the color fill with the Blob Brush.

Running the Eraser tool across vector shapes. The red fill was created with the Blob Brush.

Running the Eraser tool across vector shapes. The red fill was created with the Blob Brush.

Width Tool
Another way to manipulate lines—whether they are created with the Line, Pen, Pencil, or Brush tools—is to use the Width tool. This tool lets you vary the width anywhere along the stroke. Perfect for swooshes, curves, and creating perspective.

  • Choose the Width tool, then hover over a stroke.
  • Drag in and out anywhere along the stroke to widen or narrow the stroke at that point.
  • Save the style to the Stroke Profiles in the Control panel for future use.
A straight line after adjusting it with the Width tool.

A straight line after adjusting it with the Width tool.

A simple path after adjusting it with the Width tool.

A simple path after adjusting it with the Width tool.

Shape Builder Tool
If I can’t draw a shape—and I often can’t—I can almost always visualize the shape as a combination of multiple shapes. Enter the Shape Builder tool!

  • Create and overlap shapes to resemble your final shape.
  • Select all shapes you want to affect, and select the Shape Builder tool.
  • Drag across all of the segments you wish to keep for your final shape.
  • Option/Alt drag (or click) on portions you want to delete from the final shape.
Selecting both shapes on the right (highlighted) will merge them. Option/Alt-clicking them will remove them from the shape.

Selecting both shapes on the right (highlighted) will merge them. Option/Alt-clicking them will remove them from the shape.

Distortion Tools
If you’re in the mood for some randomness in your design, you have to treat yourself to the distortion tools (located under the Width tool).

  • After creating strokes and manipulating them, choose a distortion tool to tweak the strokes even further.
  • Choose from Warp, Twirl, Pucker, Bloat, Scallop, Crystallize, and Wrinkle.
  • Select a path, double-click the desired tool to adjust the global brush dimensions and other settings, then run the brush over the segment(s) you want to change.
A simple shape, after adjusting it with several of the distortion tools.

A simple shape, after adjusting it with several of the distortion tools.

While you probably can’t avoid using the Pen tool forever, it’s nice to know that you don’t have to rely on it. If you’re not creating architectural drawings, you’ll probably be happier with the more organic looks you’ll achieve using the tools discussed above.

Erica Gamet has been involved in the graphics industry for over 35 years. She is a speaker, writer, trainer, and content creator focusing on Adobe InDesign, Apple Keynote, and varied production topics. She is a regular presenter at CreativePro Week, regular contributor to CreativePro Magazine, and has spoken at Canada’s ebookcraft, Adobe MAX, and Making Design in Oslo, Norway. Find Erica online at the CreativePro YouTube channel, CreativeLive.com and through her own YouTube channel. When she isn’t at her computer she’s probably daydreaming about travel or living in a Nordic noir landscape.

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  • Leena Cruz says:

    Oh my! I have been looking to use AI instead of PS for resizing purposes, but it just doesnt feel naturally, I always thought of using the pen tool and pathfinder for everything, but your article brings some light to my path, thank you for sharing!

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