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project: The Pen Tool
 
   
 

description: In this tutorial you will learn how to use the Pen Tool.

Files: None.

  
   
 
   
  step 1: Select the Pen Tool and specify stroke and fill colors. (Figure A)
   
  A
   
  step 2: We are going to draw a star. Click to establish a starting point and continue to click as you rough out the endpoints that define the shape of your star. (Figures B, C) When you return to the start, notice the small circle next to the Pen. (Figure D) The circle indicates you are about to close your path. When you do (Figure E) the fill is applied and you have a perfect star!
   
 

B    C

D    E

   
  •Note: If you think that your star doesn't look quite right, don't start over. Snag the Subselection Tool and let's fix it instead.
   
  •Inside Scoop: Now you know why I had you use this underutilized tool in a few earlier tutorials. (And just wait 'till you see this one.) The Subselection Tool cleans up after the Pen Tool. They're a great team!
   
  step 3: Click on one of the vertices and notice how the selection point differs from the others. (Figure F) Click and drag on that active selection point to reposition it. (Figure G) Continue working your way around the vertices (Figure H) until you have your own happy little star. (Figure I)
   
 

F    G

H    I

   
  step 4: This time, rather than just clicking to make a sharp-angled shape, let's click and drag each point to create a curving shape. Watch the following movie and pay special attention to the direction of each "drag." (Figure J)
   
  J
   
  •Tip: It doesn't matter if you work clockwise or counterclockwise so long as you continually drag in the direction you're heading. We'll talk more about this in class.
   
  step 5: Grab the Subselection Tool again and let's modify our shape. Watch the following movie to see how. (Figure K)
   
  K
   
  •Tip: To combine sharp points and smooth curves in one shape, combine the two methods.
   
  step 6: Congratulations! If I told you at the start that many people find the Pen Tool so frightening that they don't even use it, you might have fallen for that silly superstition as well. As it is, you probably know more about the Pen Tool right now than 80% of Flash users. Practice a bit more and you'll join the elite!
   
  Are you ready to begin animating now? Yeah, me too. First up: Setting Movie Properties.
   
   
   
 
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