The pen tool is a versatile tool in Photoshop that can be used to create extremely precise shapes and paths, using manually placed anchor points. You can quickly access the pen tool by pressing P on your keyboard(same for Mac and PC). The pen tool icon looks similar to an old fashion ink pen. You can access the pen tool through the tool bar.
How to use pen tool in photoshop cs6 how to#
Let’s break down how to use the pen tool in Photoshop and ways to make the most of it. The pen tool makes way for a more streamlined selection process without all those extra refinements needed. In reality, the pen tool allows me to create perfect edges to my selections free of fringing or jagged edges… which are the absolute worst. I, along with many others, struggled to see the uses beyond just that. Well, at first glance the pen tool just creates anchor points and is the round about way of cutting out part of your image. Why the heck didn’t I love it this much earlier?! It can create selections, paths, help refine layer masks and create completely flawless cut outs. The pen tool is one of the most versatile tools in Photoshop with an endless list of uses. Fast forward through long sighs and complete distaste to a complete 180 in my perspective. I found it awkward, hard to understand and dreaded any moment spent using the tool. Ironically, those are some of the exact thoughts that ran through my head when I first started using the pen tool. What kind of nut case would want to use the pen tool when I could just use the quick selection tool and be done with it? Learning how to use the pen tool in Photoshop can seem like an unnecessary amount of work and frustration.