Pen Tool in Figma

Key Concepts

The Pen Tool in Figma is a powerful feature used to create custom vector paths. Understanding its key concepts is essential for designing intricate shapes and illustrations. Here are the main concepts:

Anchor Points: These are the points you create by clicking on the canvas. They define the vertices of your vector path.
Handles: Each anchor point can have handles that control the curvature of the path segments connected to it.
Path Segments: These are the lines or curves that connect anchor points, forming the overall shape.
Closed Paths: A path where the last anchor point connects back to the first, creating a continuous shape.
Open Paths: A path that does not connect the last anchor point back to the first, leaving it open-ended.

Detailed Explanation

To use the Pen Tool effectively, follow these steps:

Activate the Pen Tool: Click on the Pen Tool icon in the toolbar or press the 'P' key.
Create Anchor Points: Click on the canvas to place anchor points. Each click creates a new point, and the line between points forms the path.
Adjust Handles: Click and drag on an anchor point to reveal handles. These handles allow you to control the curvature of the path segments.
Close the Path: To create a closed path, click on the first anchor point you placed. This will connect the last point back to the first, forming a continuous shape.
Edit Paths: After creating a path, you can edit it by selecting anchor points and adjusting their handles. You can also add new anchor points by clicking on a path segment.

Examples and Analogies

To better understand the Pen Tool, consider these examples:

Anchor Points: Think of anchor points as the corners of a polygon. Each corner is a point where the shape changes direction.
Handles: Handles are like the strings on a puppet. By pulling on these strings, you can control the shape and curvature of the puppet's limbs.
Path Segments: Path segments are the lines connecting anchor points, similar to the edges of a polygon. These lines can be straight or curved, depending on the handles.
Closed Paths: Imagine drawing a circle. The first and last points of the circle connect, forming a continuous loop.
Open Paths: Think of a line graph. The points on the graph do not connect back to the starting point, leaving it open-ended.

By mastering the Pen Tool, you can create complex and precise shapes in Figma, enhancing your design capabilities and allowing for more detailed and customized illustrations.