Drawing straight segments with the pen tool

The simplest path you can draw with the pen tool is a straight line, made by clicking the pen tool to create two anchor points. By continuing to click, you create a path made of straight line segments connected by corner points. To create independent line segments, see Drawing line and arc segments.

To draw straight segments with the pen tool:

1. Select the pen tool .
2. Position the tip of the pen point where you want the straight segment to begin, and click to define the first anchor point (do not drag). The anchor point remains selected (solid) until you add the next point.

Note: The first segment you draw will not be visible until you click a second anchor point. Also, if direction lines appear, you've accidentally dragged the pen tool; choose Edit > Undo and click again.

3. Click again where you want the segment to end. (Shift-click to constrain the segment's angle to multiples of 45 degrees.) This creates another anchor point.
4. Continue clicking the pen tool to create additional straight segments.

The last anchor point you add appears as a solid square, indicating that it is selected. Existing anchor points become deselected as you add more anchor points.

5. Complete the path by doing one of the following:
• To close a path, position the pen pointer over the first (hollow) anchor point. A small loop appears next to the pen tool  when it is positioned correctly. Click to close the path.
• To leave the path open, Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS) anywhere away from all objects, or choose Select > Deselect, or select a different tool in the toolbox.