How to Use the Pen Tool in Affinity Photo

Edited 3 days ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Affinity Photo is a great image editing software that offers many powerful tools for creating great graphic designs and photo enhancements. One of the most important tools you should learn is the Pen Tool. It is invaluable for creating paths, shapes, and vectors with precision. In this guide, we will learn step by step how to use the Pen Tool in Affinity Photo.

Understanding the basics

Before we get into the actual steps, let's understand what the Pen Tool does. The Pen Tool allows you to create paths by placing anchor points. These paths can be straight or curved. The paths you create can also be used to create selections, masks, or vector shapes.

Getting started with the Pen Tool

To start using the Pen Tool in Affinity Photo, you first need to locate it. On the left-hand toolbar, you'll see the Pen Tool icon, which looks like the nib of a pen. You can also activate it by pressing the shortcut key "P" on your keyboard.

Step 1: Selecting the Pen Tool

Click the Pen Tool icon from the toolbar or press "P" on your keyboard to activate it. Once selected, move to the canvas where you want to begin drawing your path.

Step 2: Creating a simple path

Click on the canvas to place your first anchor point. Move your cursor to where you want the next point and click again. A straight line will be drawn between these two points. Continue clicking to add more points and extend the path. To complete the path, either click on the initial anchor point to close the shape or press 'Enter' to leave it open.

Step 3: Making curve lines

To create a curve, click and drag while placing an anchor point. This action will create direction handles. The direction and length of these handles determine the curvature of the path. Experiment by clicking and dragging at different angles and lengths to see the effect on the path.

If you want to adjust a curve, select the Node Tool from the Toolbox (shortcut "A"). Click the anchor point you want to adjust, and manipulate the direction handles to change the curve.

Step 4: Modifying the path

Once you've created a path, you may want to refine or modify it. With the Node tool selected, click any path segment or anchor point. You can move an anchor point by dragging it to a new location. If you want to add a new anchor point, hover over the path to see a plus sign, then click to add a new point.

If you want to convert a curve point to a corner point, which will remove any curvature and create a sharp corner, select the point and click the 'Corner' button in the context toolbar. To do the opposite, convert the corner point to a curve by clicking the 'Smooth' button.

Step 5: Using path operations

Affinity Photo provides path operations that help combine different shapes and paths in useful ways. You can subtract, add, intersect, and exclude overlapping paths. These operations are available in the top toolbar when you select a path or shape.

Using the Pen Tool in real-world projects

Now that you understand the mechanics of the Pen Tool, it's time to see how this tool is used in real-world projects. Below are some common applications:

Creating a selection

Selections are important in photo editing. The Pen Tool offers precise control, allowing you to create complex selections. Once you've created your path around the area you want to select, you can turn this path into a selection. To do this, make sure the path is selected and find the 'Selection' button in the toolbar. Click it to turn your path into an active selection, which can be used to perform edits such as color correction or background removal.

Designing custom shapes

Another exciting application of the Pen Tool is designing custom shapes. Whether for logos or unique design elements, the Pen Tool can help create fully scalable vector shapes. After creating your shapes with the Pen Tool, you can fill them with color using the Fill Tool or add strokes through the Stroke panel. These vector shapes retain quality even when resized, making them ideal for print and digital media.

Masking

Masking is an essential technique in photo editing, allowing for non-destructive editing. You can use the Pen Tool to create precise masks. Draw your path around the area you want to mask, then apply it to another layer as a mask layer. This technique is especially useful for separating subjects from the background.

Increase your efficiency with shortcuts and tips

To maximize your efficiency when using the Pen Tool, here are some shortcuts and tips:

• To move an entire path while drawing: Hold down the Space bar and click and drag the entire path.
• To break a direction handle: Hold down the 'Alt' (or 'Option' on a Mac) key while dragging the handle to adjust one side of the curve without affecting the other.
• To limit the angle: Hold down the Shift key while dragging a direction handle so that its angle is limited to multiples of 15 degrees.
• To delete an anchor point: Select the Node tool, then click the anchor point and press Delete.

Practice makes perfect

Like any other skill, mastering the Pen Tool takes practice. Drawing marks on complex shapes or letters is a good exercise to practice creating selections and curves. Over time, the precision and control offered by the Pen Tool will become second nature to you.

Conclusion

The Pen Tool in Affinity Photo is a versatile feature for any digital artist or photo editor. Once you get used to its functionality, you will be able to accomplish tasks ranging from wide selections to stunning vector shapes and precise masks. Understanding the possibilities and constant practice will unlock the full potential of the Pen Tool, significantly enhancing your design and editing projects. It is an indispensable tool, and mastering it will take your creative projects to new levels.

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