That damn pen tool

[DinoCow]

The Direct Selection Tool? That's the only white cursor that I see in my tool palette. When I use it, it moves the entire group as well. the group is boxed together. Do I have a setting on that I should disable? Is it another cursor that you're talking about?

Thank you.

[Shmi]

yes, the direct selection tool. i click on one point, then click and drag it to move it around. it bends the lines, but the point moves without moving the others. Not sure what would keep it moving the entire group, though. Make sure that you have the Direct Selection tool selected, and not the Group Selection tool, which looks the same, but has a + sign, just in case.

Not sure what else to try.

[DinoCow]

Oh, cool. For some reason it's working now. So weird. Thanks for your help!

[MrLunchtime]

I've been interested in drawing for a long time, the problem was that I couldn't draw
So, I decided to learn to use the pen tool by tracing and modifying an existing image.
Helpful advice on how to learn more would be awesome (and I already know that the eyelashes look craptacular ).

Original (from Wikipedia)-


My trace/modification (ZOMG no colour!)-


I just realised that my version looks like a hunchback...

[Liquidmark]

Hmm, perhaps ty using less points. for example. the bangs be three points (One foe each sharp edge) curve your lines to make the actual shape. It's been a while since I used illustrator, but that is what i do in Photoshop.

here is what I was able to whip up in a few minutes. Granted, The stroke width is too strong...But you  get the idea hopefully.



I hope this is of help.

[nooblet]

Just wondering but did you do that last image in photoshop? Some of the edges look a little fuzzy, and not as crips as a true vectored image, but that could be caused by saving it for web? I'm just curious

I love illustrator for the vector graphics. I found the way to get the best at it is to practice by tracing just as MrLunchtime (which looks pretty good, try using your direct selection tool to smooth out the lines after you make them if they still look a bit pointed)

[Liquidmark]

I used the pen tool in photoshop. I set it to trace over my paths with a soft brush. I made the lines thick so that they would be easy to see without straining ones eyes.

I've used illustrator many times in the past, but I am not a fan of Vector art, myself. I'm more of a organic artist.

Anyhoo, none of that has to do with my whole point.

Use less anchor points when doing paths with the pen tool. then use the tool to curve the paths.

Also, it's best to just draw things out by hand. Drawing on computer is much more difficult to do and if you lose use of your machine, the artist is out of luck.

[uberdiablo]

Best way to approach the concept of the pen tool. Less is infact more. You don't need a million nodes for everything.

Learn to love  the pen tool… <bows>

[b1lly]

I used the pen tool in photoshop. I set it to trace over my paths with a soft brush. I made the lines thick so that they would be easy to see without straining ones eyes.

just wondering HOW you set the soft brush to trace the pen lines
because im tired of not being able to have any variation in my strokes in Illustrator, and this information would help me greatly on one of my drawings that ive done

please and thank you