Illustrator on the iPad - Editing Pencil Tool Paths

[@MarkPowerPhoto]

These tutorials are really helpful, Laura. Thanks! Definitely the best teaching that I need :)

[@LauraCoyle]

Glad you like them!

[@CraigVanSickleAK]

Great video! From what I can tell Adobe left out one of the best path editing tools on illustrator for the iPad: using the pencil tool to rework existing paths. Being able to draw a path and massage the contours by running the pencil back over it is one of my favorite features of illustrator.

[@LauraCoyle]

Totally agree! I miss the Smooth tool too - I hope they will bring all that back in the future.

[@VarunKumar]

I watched the whole video for that only 😅 but nice I didn't know a lot of these. Thanks Laura!

[@uncletrick1]

I've watched a few Illustrator for iPad videos regarding the pencil tool and this one has been the most helpful. Thanks!

[@LauraCoyle]

Great to hear!

[@johnkardier6327]

Best tuto on Illustrator I've ever seen. Thank you.

[@LauraCoyle]

Wow, thanks!

[@philipnice1817]

Does the iPad version of Illustrator support variable stroke width? (Like you demonstrate in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYDWeYegpMZkq8k )

[@gabrielcouto1696]

i would like to know that too!

[@LauraCoyle]

No it does not, hopefully in a future version!

[@will-la]

Great tips! Look forward on seeing more videos on adobe illustrator for iPad

[@LauraCoyle]

Thank you! Will do!

[@sfpapiman]

After watching a few videos an anchor points and you have shown me how to move anchor points individually rather than in tandem. Thanks.

[@LauraCoyle]

That's great!

[@sketchplayground]

Amazing~!😎😎

[@LauraCoyle]

Thanks 😆

[@jodyknight]

Another gem of a video thanks Laura ;^)

[@LauraCoyle]

Yay, thank you!

[@prooklyn]

Hi can you help me? Is there any way to stop iPad illustrator from changing my stroke weight and type to default? Every time I set my own type of stroke it changes it to thin simple line, when I draw a new path.

[@LauraCoyle]

It will do that if you are using a brush or a width profile, unfortunately. It should not happen if you are drawing with a regular uniform stroke. You can do that with the Pencil tool or Pen tool. I hope Adobe changes this in the future, I know it's a pain!

[@ohmygod5787]

You know what would make this easier? Just by having an extra pen tool with a minus sign. That would make this SO much easier!!!!

[@LauraCoyle]

YES - with the Pen tool on the desktop, you hover and the pen tool switches to a minus, but we don't have hovering on the iPad... I wish it was easier though.

[@JustinKrausePhotos]

Hi, if I have a calligraphy line design/logo that Ive drawn which I love for the most part and dont want to change but I need to make part of the calligraphy line thinner at one part, is there a way to do this?

[@LauraCoyle]

Depends on the line: 1. is it a path with a brushstroke or width profile applied? 2. Or is it an outlined stroke, a path that outlines the art? For 1. you could use the Width tool on the Desktop version or edit the brush itself. for 2, you can get the direct selection tool, move the curve handles, points etc.

[@volumeup2714]

Amazing tutorial’s you are the best !! Wonderful voice!!🤗🤩😍

[@LauraCoyle]

Wow, thank you!

[@redpomegranate6372]

Yours channel is life-saving 🥺💖

[@LauraCoyle]

Thank you!!

[@lc3564]

Thank you great video. How do you use the width profile. It does not seem to work like the desktop. How do you add custom width profiles? Thank you.

[@LauraCoyle]

You're very welcome! You are right, width profiles don't work quite the same as on the desktop. Hopefully in the future it will be improved to work like it does on the desktop. There is no Width tool on the iPad version. Also you can't draw one path after the other with a selected width profile, you have to apply the settings after drawing. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long!

[@HJartistry]

Thank you! Is it possible to add more anchor points to a line? I have some objects that are not exactly how I want them but don’t know how to add more anchorpoint / nodes to adjust properly 😢

[@LauraCoyle]

You're so welcome! First, select the path, then use the Pen tool and tap directly on the path where you want to add a point. The white arrow is for selecting individual points and adjusting the handles when you want to edit them.

[@HJartistry]

@@LauraCoyle ahhhh thank you so much!!!! I’m gonna try this soon. Really appreciate it in advance!!! 💯💯💯👍👍👍👍

[@00Darkchild00]

How do you keep your pencil tool settings? After each stroke the widthprofile and stroke size resets for me,

[@LauraCoyle]

If you are using a width profile, then yes it resets and that is frustrating - it's something I hope Adobe fixes in the future. If you are using a regular uniform stroke, the settings are maintained.

[@beehr4468]

AWESOME VIDEO - Can you make an Adobe Illustrator iPad video on how to fill in with color a design you’ve already made. Your videos have been very helpful KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK

[@LauraCoyle]

Great suggestion!

[@beehr4468]

@@LauraCoyle maybe how to do font with a border and a background color around that font…maybe it’s called like a shadow. Not just a background color but also a background almost like the bubble graffiti look I’m probably not making sense

[@sharonkadach6900]

Seriously helpful, editing pencil/pen tool paths are still tricky for me, so thanks for this!

[@LauraCoyle]

You are so welcome! 😊

[@RottiesTrue]

Thank you for this great video. I see how you added an anchor path to a path, but how do you add an anchor point to a shape? When I click on the shape's path to add an anchor point, nothing happens.

[@LauraCoyle]

You are welcome! To add an anchor point to a path, first select the path (can be closed shape or a line) then get the Pen tool and click on the path where you want to add the point.

[@rossnyzwar]

Great video! I'm searching to see if there is a way to change the end caps of a stroke from square to round.

[@LauraCoyle]

Yes, go to the properties panel (sliders icon , top right) when you have the path selected, the end cap options are at the bottom.

[@innerpull]

So how do you continue a path if you aren’t using the pencil tool? No such luck with the pen tool...

[@LauraCoyle]

True, the Pen Tool is a totally different animal. It's click to place a point and drag to pull out a curve handle.

[@bobtem1]

How do I remove a line segment? For example, one segment of a rectangle so I’m left with 3-sides-of-a-rectangle object?

[@LauraCoyle]

Get the Direct Selection tool, and select the 2 anchor points on either side of the segment you want to delete (points will be dark when selected), and in the taskbar below, tap the scissors icon to cut at those points. Then, the line segment will be separate from the rectangle, and you can delete it.

[@bobtem1]

OK thanks. It’s a little easier on the Mac, where you just use the open selection tool to select a line segment of a shape and then just delete the segment.

[@Ergophis]

is there any way to add an anchor point? very useful tutorial btw.

[@LauraCoyle]

First, select the path, then use the Pen tool to click on the path where you want to add the point. Thanks!

[@Stephenl1992]

how do you join pencil paths of 2 different shapes?

[@LauraCoyle]

Use the Combine Shapes menu to unite the shapes - inside is also a Shape Builder that lets you do that with more control.

[@vius0013]

Your teaching skills are remarkable! Thank you so much

[@LauraCoyle]

So glad you like the videos!

[@antekc]

Just got illustrator for my Ipad. I get so frustrated because of the smart delete tool. When I just want to adjust one point it automaticly snaps to the nearest. Almost every time, how do I avoyd this?

[@LauraCoyle]

Go to Precision menu on right and make sure you are not snapping. Also, zoom waaaay in to make sure you can select the right point - it can be tricky I know. Maybe something in this video can help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmbLqnmGr82Nhck

[@antekc]

@@LauraCoyle thank you so much! I really think it will help with my next project, much appriciated 👍😁

[@tinap513]

so helpful! thank you for sharing this!

[@LauraCoyle]

You're so welcome!

[@elizabetholwen7956]

This was so helpful. Thank you!

[@LauraCoyle]

You're so welcome!

[@zippydoodledesigns]

So new to Ai. How do you add an anchor point on the iPad?

[@LauraCoyle]

Use the Pen tool - if you have created a path with the Pencil tool, select it and then use the Pen tool to tap on the path to add an anchor point in that spot.

[@sarahnbanas]

This was super helpful. Thank you.

[@LauraCoyle]

You're welcome!

[@iandykes5411]

How do i do this with illustrator video link aided

[@LauraCoyle]

Link not working.

[@deshawnedwards5086]

Can you do a tutorial on how to color step by step what tools to use

[@LauraCoyle]

I'll add it to my list! Thanks for the suggestion.

[@smarter_solutions]

Hi, very Nice video. Just a short question. Is it possible to add to Some points in a path?

[@LauraCoyle]

Yes you can! Use the Pen tool to add points - select the path first, then get the pen and tap where you want to add the point.

[@smarter_solutions]

@@LauraCoyleThanks

[@skysettermobiles]

Thank you for the clear demonstration! Subscribed!

[@LauraCoyle]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Kimiski]

On the desktop version, when you work with paths you can either have the squared end or the rounded end paths. Does the ipad version offer the rounded option? As well as Variable-width Stroke?

[@LauraCoyle]

No variable width strokes on the iPad yet, but the end cap and corner stroke options are in the Properties panel on the iPad when you have a stroke selected.

[@gabrielcouto1696]

how about line thckness?

[@LauraCoyle]

There's a stroke weight icon in the common actions bar you can adjust. Also, the option appears in the Properties panel when a path is selected.

[@DevonChristopherAdams]

Really loving your videos. Trying to figure out how to combine lines when they're closed (think leaves on a stem) and need to attach to another line (not on the end). So image the design is a flower with five leaves, one flower head and six pedals around it. Been using the pencil tool, so now how do I attach them all to one another? Do I? Do I need?

[@LauraCoyle]

If you want them to just stay together, so you can move and scale them as one object, but retain their individual colors, etc. you can group them. Select the flower and petals with selection tool and choose the group icon in the common actions bar (3rd from left). Can ungroup using same button. Can also group stem and leaves, petals into 2 groups then group them all into in a "nested" group. If they all need to be merged into one shape, use the Shape Builder in the combine shapes menu. Hope that helps.

[@secretgoldfish]

This was a great little cover-all, thanks!....How do you get ipad illustrator to remember (or base your next stroke) on the last used stroke type, mine always defaults to the basic stroke with no width profile whenever creating a new stroke which just makes me go back to the fully featured desktop version instead!

[@LauraCoyle]

Yes, exactly. Hoping this will be addressed soon, it's frustrating. When drawing with the pencil and a uniform width, it continues to draw with the same setting as your last selected stroke. But, if you use width profiles or brushes (new features from Oct 2021) it forgets :-(

[@candide1924]

So helpful, thank you!

[@LauraCoyle]

You're so welcome!

[@spicynegra94k]

How do you delete a line?

[@LauraCoyle]

Select and tap the trash icon on the common actions bar.

[@annemettelehmann8414]

Ohhh Laura Thank you so much for making things easy to understand and work with. You are doing such a great job! Keep on truckin'!!! >:^) M

[@LauraCoyle]

Thank you so much Anne!

[@creativediva52]

Every time I watch one of your tutorials I ask myself, "How did I not know this?" lol Thanks for another great one.

[@LauraCoyle]

Yay! Glad you like them!

[@juancruzbayala7470]

Great tutorial! Do you know if it’s possible to use the smooth tool like on computers illustrator? For example I wanna make a lime smoother redrawing it not changing every anchor point

[@LauraCoyle]

not yet, hopefully in a future update! With the direct selection tool, there's a simplify path in the options bar that removes excess points but it converts everything to corner anchors, so you have to select all points and convert back to smooth - hoping for improvement there too. Also try the new shape transform in the recent release - available when you select a path with direct selection.

[@AuroraSilverFox]

This was awesome!!

[@LauraCoyle]

Yes, with the Pen tool, click on the path to add an anchor point. Thank you!

[@Jadag187]

thanks so much

[@LauraCoyle]

You're welcome!

[@fernmo]

On the desktop, editing a path made with the pencil is completely intuitive if "keep selected" and "edit selected paths" are ticked in the pencil setup.You just redraw the mistake etc and it goes away. Why is it not like that on the ipad?

[@LauraCoyle]

You're right! I don't know - but since this is just the first version, I suspect there will be changes and improvements coming along. I for one, really miss the Smooth tool!

[@wyatt5291]

Thankyou, your videos are super straight forward and helpful

[@LauraCoyle]

thank you!!

[@rogerrtewwr4723]

great tips ty

[@LauraCoyle]

You bet!

[@nerakvectores8576]

🎉🎉🎉Thanks u

[@LauraCoyle]

Thank you too

[@chazotron600]

Question , sometimes when I try to move a node it disappears, is there a setting that is causing this or am I maybe pressing it weird ?

[@LauraCoyle]

Hmm, I don't know - I haven't seen that myself. There is a remove action when you are using the Direct Selection tool - it's a little x. Also, sometimes it helps to zoom in, if you are too far out, it's easier for those unintentional things to happen.

[@mariestudent1803]

Great video! Please make more videos for Illustrator for IPad.

[@LauraCoyle]

Thank you! Will do!

[@easyjapaneseforall]

Thank you so much, you explained really well, do you have a video where you show how to color inside. Thanks

[@LauraCoyle]

Not yet! Do you mean filling the shapes? Like changing the stroke and fill color? Thanks for your kind comment!

[@easyjapaneseforall]

@@LauraCoyle Hi, yes like filling the shapes with stroke and not stroke and using the shape builder to join more. The thing is that you explain very well, I understand it a little but with you is the best.

[@LL-ue5vg]

Is it possible to measure the length of a curved line?

[@LauraCoyle]

I don't think so, it's not an existing feature in Illustrator on the desktop either.

[@chioj36]

Laura you are a saint for making these with Ipad AI

[@LauraCoyle]

Thank you so much!

[@kapt819]

Great tutorial! So many helpful tips. Thanks for sharing

[@LauraCoyle]

Glad it was helpful!

[@geniuskatie6813]

And one option adding points

[@LauraCoyle]

You can do that with the Pen tool.

[@geniuskatie6813]

@@LauraCoyle yes, but that one is not included in your video ;-)

[@sierrarazz]

Thank you for clear and concise instructions!

[@LauraCoyle]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Eyan-]

Amazing video! I have a question, does anyone know how to delete a line “segment” from two intersecting line. For example, if I drew a circle and a line cutting through it and i wanted to remove the part of the line that is inside the circle, is there a way to do that?

[@LauraCoyle]

Yes, select both circle and line, tap the combine shapes menu, tap the Shape builder, then tap the line segment you want to remove inside the circle. :-)

[@Eyan-]

@@LauraCoyle thank you!

[@falaise17]

Always the best for illustrator tutorial, thanks Laura.

[@LauraCoyle]

You're very welcome!

[@thetamlika]

How to expand line?

[@LauraCoyle]

GO to the Object menu on the right hand side and tap Create stroke outline

[@thetamlika]

@@LauraCoyle Thank you, but i can't do it when all objects in group

[@LauraCoyle]

@@thetamlika how about when you ungroup?

[@andysin1455]

you are great, keep doing these video!

[@LauraCoyle]

Thanks, will do!

[@leah2300]

Super helpful! Thank you!

[@LauraCoyle]

Glad it was helpful!

[@justamongus7541]

Great work !!!!!

[@LauraCoyle]

Thanks a lot!

[@workout2347]

Has anyone figured out how to add a node?

[@LauraCoyle]

You can do that with the Pen Tool. Select path with the Direct Selection tool, then get Pen, then tap on the path to add a point, tap on a point to remove it.

[@workout2347]

@@LauraCoyle Strange....if I hold the pen tool down on a node if will remove it after a second or two, but if I tap or tap/hold on the path it will not add one.

[@LauraCoyle]

@@workout2347 Tap in an empty space on the path with the Pen Tool to add a point, it works - but you are right, you need to tap/hold to remove - I wasn't clear about that. Also, make sure path is first selected with Direct Selection tool. Also, to remove a point with the Direct Selection tool, select the point and use the Smart Delete x in the common actions.