Using the Curvature Pen Tool

Using the Curvature Pen Tool

The Curvature Pen Tool is a great tool for creating curved lines and paths. 

When to use

Use this tool if you have trouble creating curved paths, or if you want to be able to make curves without having to click and hold your mouse button.

Instructions

Tracing the Inner Pepper

• Change the name of 'Layer 2' to 'Outline' and add a new, third layer, at the top. 
• Lock your 'Outline' layer.
• Grab the Curvature Pen Tool found just below the regular Pen Tool in the toolbar.
• Click to create a point along one of the curved bumps inside of the pepper. 
• You can use your Selection Tool (V) to freely move this point around, placing it at the beginning or end of one of the curved shapes in the pepper.
• Instead of click and dragging to extend handles off of the point like the regular Pen Tool, you can now simply move your mouse to modify the curves. Use the guides to help you see the direction of the curve you are about to make.
• As you continue to click and add points, use your mouse to influence the direction of the curves.
• For these shapes, we don't want to close them. We are simply looking to create curved lines that follow the contours along the top and inside of the pepper.
• Once you've created a path that follows the contours, you can deselect the path by pressing Command/Ctrl + Shift + A to Deselect All.
• From here, use the Curvature Pen Tool to move to the next curved shape that you want to create your path along and repeat.
• Do this until you've traced along all of the curves inside and on top of the pepper.

Hints & tips

• When using the Curvature Pen Tool, you don't have to click and hold your mouse button to create curves.
• If you want to create a path, and not a closed shape, you can press Command/Ctrl + Shift + A to deselect your path and make a new one. 
• You can move the points around using the Selection Tool (V) if you want to make any changes to your paths.
• Zoom in and out to make sure that your lines are precise. 
• You can turn the visibility of the 'Pepper' layer on and off to check your work as you go.