Pen Tool HACK - Adobe Illustrator 👌

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📋 Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:21 Anchor Points
00:57 Less Anchor Points = Smoother Path
01:14 The Box Method
02:00 Guides help position Anchor Points
03:12 Where to place Handles
04:45 Pro Tips
05:02 Adding Stabilizers & Sponsor segment
07:21 Outro

[@willpatersondesign]

If this video helped you consider subscribing and sharing!

[@quakerninja]

Did you forget you taught us this two years ago.

[@thedesignbrat]

@@quakerninja some ppl haven’t seen it and are new here man shut up, let him create whatever he wants

[@LisaAdams.75]

@@quakerninja RUDE!

[@fredericapanon207]

@Will Paterson, Bezier curves are so powerful. Thank you for these great techniques. Nerdy trivia: placement of the stabilizer anchors is best on the inflection points of the curve, that is where the curve goes from concave upward to concave downward -- or shifts from concave leftward to concave rightward. And vice versa. And I thought Differential calculus was never going to come in handy, bwahahaha! (Inflection points occur when the second derivative of the curve becomes zero.)

[@LIFEOFADESIGNER]

I've been designing for over 10 years and I've never seen the pen tool taught in this way! Stellar Job mate! You're another channel I watch to prime my day for my work! Long time subscriber, Looking forward to the next upload!

[@willpatersondesign]

Thank you so much :) I'm glad I can be of service :)

[@terredee]

Me too, only it’s been more than 30 years. This is so useful. Thank you!

[@roberthouston8332]

Word! This is going to save me alot of time. So glad I checked this out

[@Aura_flow]

I have NEVER thought to work on the curves piece by piece like that. Definitely just improved my workflow, thanks a lot Will!!

[@bloomfire1998]

Love this format! Would appreciate if you make more videos like this about different tools, menu, properties. This format is easy to digest and easy to find and access when needed (compared to a looooong video where you have to watch so much unnecessary content to find just a tiny information you're looking for)

[@roberthouston8332]

Professor Patterson! I appreciate your ability to explain the pen tool in layman's terms. This makes sense. I have struggled often with many unnecessary node adjustments my entire career. This was TRULY a golden tip. Thank you for sharing.

[@simonsmith8149]

I wish that smart guides would activate when positioning handles so that you could be sure that 'symmetrical' curves were the same; for example, in your opening circle illustration, it's easy enough to make sure that the opposite anchor points are lined up (as when positioning anchor points the smart guides do kick in), but the only way I've ever found (and I'd love to be proved wrong !) to make the handles line up is to draw, say, a box where you want the handles to be, and then pull the anchor points out to touch the side of that box. ??

[@fredericapanon207]

Bezier curves are so powerful. Thank you for these great techniques. Nerdy trivia: placement of the stabilizer anchors is best on the inflection points of the curve, that is where the curve goes from concave upward to concave downward -- or shifts from concave leftward to concave rightward. And vice versa. And I thought Differential calculus was never going to come in handy, bwahahaha! (The inflection points occur when the second derivative becomes zero.)

[@ErikErosa]

Came here to say this! Also the extreme points correspond with the maximums/minimums of the curve (were the line changes direction from left to right or down to up for example) math ftw

[@hodaelmesawi]

If I'm not mistaken you made a similar video years ago. I learnt to use the pen tool this way from that video before I started my design career. It was one of the most important things I learnt when I was getting in logo design. Thanks for sharing with us ☺️

[@slamotte]

I just find that video a couple days ago! I've been practicing using it, it's such a gem.

[@iamtrazed]

Gotta be honest guys, this is the best pen tutorial in the world, holy molly man, good job xD

[@carlyart756]

Super helpful and informative! I’ll definitely be implementing this technique. I can’t tell you how much I’ve struggled with wobbly lines using the pen tool.

[@anrymarchen]

Hands down the most useful video on the subject!

[@tohotokejo72]

Thank you for explaining this thoroughly!

[@OH.A.M.]

Been using illustrator since 1991 and never sees to amaze me how many tricks this program has, if you now how to use it. Respect my friend!

[@tulp_graphics]

Love love love this video. Very helpful! I saw the short as well, but this more in-depth explanation is even better. Thank you for sharing!

[@willpatersondesign]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ladiesoflifeafter2913]

I have been asking and asking artists how they decide where to add points because i really need to make my drawings flawless. And here you are with the perfect answer that makes perfect sense! Thank you so so so much

[@dwilliams21]

I wish this video popped up the first time I touched the pen tool. I've been arting for like a decade now and been doing more and more vector with every year, but I'm still so clumsy and basic at it, but knowing there's optimal places to stick the little pieces MIGHT HAVE HELPED SHEESH! Thank you. :)

[@PieterBrink]

Excellent. As always! Thanks for your effort.

[@catherineroy2480]

Fantastic tutorial and explanation! Easy to follow with the explanation for why - and what to look for!

[@napostrophen]

Great video and interesting way of using the regular guides as kind of placement markers where the points should go. Haven’t thought of that way before so I find it pretty useful

[@willpatersondesign]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DarrenHodson]

Thank you! Brilliantly explained

[@armorstamp]

This is a game changer for me. My lines have improved greatly just by doing this. Thanks for this!

[@bcarse1]

Hands down the best pen tutorial ever! Brilliant major thanks

[@juliekay3662]

Loved it,made it so much easier

[@juansierra3885]

amazing never thought of this !

[@The_Shadow_Chronicles]

Vital info, thanks!

[@juliuslowe3684]

DUDE, love your videos! Keep on doing it exactly like this, thank you.

[@ItsJaynox]

WILL YOU DID IT, YOU MAD MAN! Thank you so much!

[@willpatersondesign]

No problem! :D

[@santanaalexander5913]

hundreds of pen tool tutorials and you have nailed it! Newbie here and thanks for the guides!

[@AsyaLogo]

inspiring, thank you. ❤

[@survivalsearcher]

This explanation earned a solid subscribe

[@grafxdesigner93]

Outstanding tutorial. Man, that's an eye-opener right here. Thanks for sharing this. Grateful!

[@shidosensei.]

And yet the almighty Will with another tutorial! Too bad I always end up watching your videos whenever I am _not_ near my computer. The urge to put that knowledge into practice. Thanks a lot for being here for us, Will.

[@willpatersondesign]

[@Visible.Friend]

Thanks, Will U always be teaching me sumpthin’ hUgz, Lee

[@brucethomson1790]

Amazing explanation

[@jerinsebastian6906]

Thank you for the awesome trick 👏

[@dennissison6696]

this really helps man!

[@notmyname8527]

The best explanation! Finally

[@willpatersondesign]

Glad you think so!

[@scottmulligan3512]

Awesome!

[@AK-jl6jy]

Good choice!

[@mohammedshahidrahman8276]

Awesome. I really never used it like this earlier. It helped a lot. Thank you so much!!

[@piyushbavalia6561]

simply superb. Its looks hard but its actually really simple!!! Thanks for the video and sharing

[@krystiancwelinski8744]

Finally thank you very much

[@blasterxt9]

Thank you buddy 😊

[@1080Designs]

I wasn’t sure what I was looking for when I searched pen tool for illustrator but this was it ! Thank you 🙌🏻

[@JerryN7970]

That’s the way I’ve always worked the pen tool. I had always noticed how the handles looked on circles and tried to emulate that in my drawing. I never knew how far out the handles should go a lot of times though. But this was great reassurance that I wasn’t the only one that tried to draw shapes the same way Illustrator does!

[@SueMoseley]

OMG amazing!

[@FurqanKashmiri]

Really helpful..!

[@willpatersondesign]

Glad it was helpful!

[@S0UPIE]

Im mostly self taught and discovered this after extended use of the eclipse tool. glad im doing it the right way

[@fiercepandaz]

Also helps using french curves when sketching

[@sloth451]

Never thought about using the pen tool this way! Amazing and ty :)

[@claudschgi4794]

Pen tool is not dead :D :) awesome video in super quality :) Thanks

[@willpatersondesign]

:D

[@ihajo]

Thanks for the video, I am however lean towards curvature tool and drawing circles

[@jterry126]

mind blown! thanks.

[@willpatersondesign]

Glad it helped!

[@frankleemorris2431]

great tutorial, thanks a lot!

[@willpatersondesign]

You're welcome!

[@gloomygreyhound8669]

You just saved my life as an intern, thank you!

[@samvwani]

Brilliant tutorial sir was really helpful 🙇🏻‍♀️

[@reflet1349]

At school, just a few months ago, when I wanted to design a type logo and vektorize my handlettering sketch, my teacher told me I shouldn't do it because it would be too hard. This video taught me that I can really do it and it is easy. Thank You so much!!

[@willpatersondesign]

You're welcome! So glad it's helped :D

[@reflet1349]

@@pleasejustletmebeanonymous6510 I don't know, but he's kind of weird in generell. Like he always convices every student in 2nd year to use InDesign for logodesign instead of Illustrator because the exams in 3rd year could include to design like a flyer, poster or whatever - things you normally use InDesign for. He really things it's hard to learn using two programs in those 3 years, while some student (including me) learn using at least 3 to 4. Even my teacher in UX/UI thought this is bs lmao.

[@doejersey]

Great video. Welcome to my saved videos for future use folder

[@VegasGuy1975]

I’ve been using illustrator since version 7 and this is by far the most succinct and simple explanation I’ve ever seen on the exact way the pen tool was intended to be used, and how best to wield it.

[@willpatersondesign]

Glad it helped!

[@VegasGuy1975]

@@willpatersondesign your view on the pen too has definitely increased my efficiency with it. Thank you!

[@Jrizy.]

I’ve watched this video about 4 times now to try and absorb as much info as I can :| Love your videos and I’m very appreciative for them!

[@willpatersondesign]

Happy to help! Hope what I said made sense!

[@Lostranis]

I finally have good tips on that! My grades will get a bit higher! Yay! Thank you very much for this video ^^

[@anitangshu_]

Thousand likes if I could, I would have given. It was huge huge help. Very much appreciate, Will.

[@willpatersondesign]

Glad it helped!

[@IsaacLungu]

This is incredible stuff! Subscribing because I've never seen a technique communicated and presented so clearly

[@hadjjicus]

need this

[@jammiegoodwin9519]

I am pretty new to Illustrator, only knew photoshop. I have always struggled with the pen tool! I think I get it now!!! Thank you so much!

[@willpatersondesign]

You are so welcome!

[@mohammedshahidrahman8276]

Subscribed!!

[@safetyamsv3515]

Brilliant..!

[@LisaAdams.75]

Love it! I knew the rule of less is more regarding anchor points and making sure lines are vertical and horizontal but I had no idea to use them with the guide lines! Now I want to create a new logo for our own brand using this technique! Unless you want to ;) I designed our logo (not a logo designer) with my partners brief he gave me as a guide. That was almost 8 years ago! PS... its on the T-shirt i'm my profile pic! So many things going on with it and definitely needs an update!

[@videogametherapy6465]

this video helped a hell of lot !!!!!!!! subscribed and thumbs up bro! Thanks

[@willpatersondesign]

Awesome, thank you!

[@erko8620]

Its eight in the morning and i need to get this very curvy logo done asap. And this just saved my noob butt. Thank you sir.

[@billbowman8747]

I've been teaching this method for years. (The clockwork method.) Hands down the best way to teach the pen tool to beginners.

[@DontPaws]

Subbed after coming to this video via the pen tip short. LEGENDARY!

[@willpatersondesign]

Welcome!

[@leem6005]

Thanks, I've been struggling with the pen tool - this was extremely helpful!

[@willpatersondesign]

You're welcome!

[@IoanaHaitchi]

Many thanks!

[@willpatersondesign]

You're welcome!

[@joelengblom8967]

Wow, i have looked around for tutorials on the pen tool and this was absolutely the best one!

[@willpatersondesign]

Glad it was helpful!

[@abiolaolayinka2023]

Okay so I normally frown upon the "You've been using [this] wrong" type of videos but dare I say, I HAVE been using it wrong. Thanks mate.

[@Kanect]

Very nice content. I was a tattoo artist and illustrator for 12 years now getting into some graphic design. Never understood why the app was called illustrator not photoshop design. I just use my iPad Pro and use procreate but finally giving AI a go. Very helpful

[@thetravelpodcast]

king. thank you

[@GSXHeckler]

It was just a few weeks ago that I thought I figured out the pen tool.😂 I will practice this. I usually end up with funky handles and not so smooth curves.

[@felipehonoriobs]

clicked video thinking it would be something silly like "if you hold spacebar you can move the point" or some other less know shortcut. Was pleasently surprised. Kudos

[@filipemecenas]

Thanks

[@thesauce57]

Finally, a content creator who showcases fundamentally sound practices over cheap hacks and destructive edits.

[@meowzord]

Pen tool first, then smooth tool x1000, right?

[@willpatersondesign]

hahaha

[@AitenArts]

Awesome as always Will. I have never used the pen tool this way. I mean if I have used the pen tool like this, absolutely it wasn't intentional. Lol..

[@designs7047]

bro, can you make full video about creating unique font using pentool... we love to see how you use pen tool hack effectively ..

[@lenamorgan6813]

Pressing the direct selection tool and then the pen tool will set up a tool history so then you can alternate quickly between direct selection tool and the pen tool even faster by holding the alt key.

[@poxyclypse]

You can also just hit the a and v key to switch to the pointers, and the p key to swap to the pen. I do most of my tool switching with the keys. m to make rectangles, l to make circles. Lots of other too switches on the keyboard.

[@FluffRat]

I would agree with some of what was said, using fewer points is certainly important for getting nice smooth results, but I would disagree that one needs to align on a horizontal or vertical tangent whenever possible or that it is either "the way that vector works" or a "HACK". Sounds like a lot of folks didn't even know about aligning the anchors though, so I guess it helped those people.

[@joideas5382]

TNice tutorials was easy to follow.

[@karinabrandenburg8425]

Thank you Will, this is amazing! You’re video has helped me work this out in my brain….we must think alike! 😽

[@willpatersondesign]

Glad it was helpful!

[@imcat7495]

Today I was thinking why Professioanls use Guides to make curves and logos in there projects now i know Cuase of you it will help ma a lot Thanks Sir I've learned a lot from you

[@IsaiahGarba]

Some of us use Photoshop so it would be nice if sometimes you also show how it would work on photoshop too

[@sadepennbrook]

The endpoints you are referring to are called the extrema. The far extremes where the anchor point lies in balance. It’s a mathematical term.

[@finaldraftx]

Love your channel. Question: in After Effects, those points are called vertices, not anchor points. I thought the anchor point was a singular point in space on a given layer defining the point from which a shape/object scales and rotates. Is this term different in Illustrator? Thank you! :)

[@sebabatsolethabo6864]

i like, then watch after.

[@ArcaneVortex]

First of all amazing tips, comes in very handy actually! About 3:33 I always wondered why you can't select two anchor points and just automatically make them equally long or extend them proportionally instead of trying to make them equal manually. Is there a trick for that too?

[@danilomerola7110]

and my friends are planning to make a ga and i'm making the soft, so tNice tutorials really helped

[@donnathomas3312]

OMG! Wish Id known this when I was in school for design; I always HATED the pen tool. Nobody explained it right!

[@Venice_Show]

Thank you Will. Nice presentation. What is this guide you pull down at 2:17? Bounding box and guides are new to this beginner.

[@burjeduro]

And YT's algorithm is showing me this now 😑 well, better late than never. Awesome tutorial! 👏👏👏👍 Promptly subscribed.

[@TrevBarnes]

Thank you Will. As always so helpful and informative. Now Im a tiny bit less scared of the pen tool lmfao

[@willpatersondesign]

Happy to help! :D