Draw curves with Pen Tool

Draw curved segments by dragging the object anchor points with Pen Tool. When you use the Selection tool to select an object anchor point connecting curved segments, the segments display direction lines, which end in direction points. The angle and length of the direction lines determine the shape and size of the curved segments. Moving the direction lines reshapes the curves. A smooth point always has two direction lines that move together as a single, straight unit. When you drag the direction point of either direction line on a smooth point, both direction lines move simultaneously, maintaining a continuous curve at that object anchor point. In comparison, a corner point can have two, one, or no direction lines, depending on whether it joins two, one, or no curved segments, respectively.

Corner point direction lines maintain the corner by working independently of one another. When you drag a direction point on a corner point’s direction line, the other direction line, if present, does not move. Direction lines are always tangent to (perpendicular to the radius of) the curve at the object anchor points. The angle of each direction line determines the slope of the curve, and the length of each direction line determines the height, or depth, of the curve.

Select Pen Tool.
Position the cursor where you want the curve to begin. Hold down the mouse button.
Drag to create direction lines that determine the slope of the curve segment you’re creating. In general, extend the direction line about one third of the distance to the next object anchor point you plan to draw. Shift‑drag to constrain the direction line to multiples of 45 °.
Release the mouse button.
Note: The first segment will not be visible until you create the second object anchor point.
Position Pen Tool where you want the curve segment to end.
- To create a C‑shaped curve, drag in a direction opposite to the direction that you dragged to create the previous object anchor point.
  
  Drawing second point in curves
  
  A.
  
  Starting to drag second smooth point
  B.
  
  Dragging away from previous direction line, creating C‑shaped curve
  C.
  
  Result after releasing mouse button
- To create an S‑shaped curve, drag in the same direction that you dragged to create the previous object anchor point.
  
  Drawing S curves
  
  A.
  
  Starting to drag new smooth point
  B.
  
  Dragging in same direction as previous direction line, creating S‑shaped curve
  C.
  
  Result after releasing mouse button
Continue dragging Pen Tool from different locations to create additional points.
- To close the path, position Pen Tool over the first object anchor point. Click or drag to close the path.
- To leave the path open, Ctrl‑click anywhere away from all objects or select the Selection tool.