Pen Tool Control

Using the Photoshop 7.0 Pen Tool is a snap

Tutorial by Ron Lemire

Mastering the Pen tool is a prerequisite for making sophisticated selections. This simple tutorial will show you a quick and easy method for using the Pen tool that gives you total control at all times.

To demonstrate I'm going to use Image 229.jpg from the RetouchPro Archives. The object of the exercise will be to select the oval picture in the frame. I chose this exercise because selecting a curve is ideal for the Pen tool and, with practice, these techniques can be used to make any selection. Using the Lasso tool for this exercise would be much more difficult.
Before we begin; set up the Pen tool dialog to the below configuration. You'll notice the Pen tool is set to "Paths", "Pen Tool", "Auto Add/Delete", and "Exclude overlapping path areas". If earlier versions of Photoshop do not have the "Auto Add/Delete" feature, adding and deleting points should be available by using the right mouse button.
Step 1: Make an initial anchor point at "A"
Step 2: Make a second anchor point at "B". You'll notice that a small "/" sign appears next to Pen nib after the anchor point is made.
Step 3a: Now move the Pen nib back along the line between point "A" and point "B". With the "Auto Add/Delete" setting checked you should notice a "+" sign next to your Pen nib Step 3b: At about mid way add a new anchor point at "C". You should see a "-" sign next to the Pen nib and two extra white points along the line at "D" and "E". These are adjustable "curve" control handles.
*You may need to add the anchor point by selecting "Add Anchor Point" from the menu displayed under the "Right" mouse button.

If you click on an anchor point while the "-" sign is displayed the anchor point will be deleted. *To delete an anchor point you may need to select"Delete Anchor Point" from the menu displayed under the "Right" mouse button.
Step 4: Now hold down the Ctrl key, engage the left mouse button over the anchor point at "C" and push the anchor point over to the edge of the picture. Notice how the Pen nib changes to a black arrow. Step 5: Still holding down the Ctrl key move the nib of the Pen tool over the control points "D" and "E" and adjust the curve until it matches the edge of the picture. You may need to play with each control point until you get what you want.
Step 6a: I purposefully mis-aligned point "B" so I could describe how to make corrections and adjustments. By zooming in close you can see where to place your anchor points. Step 6b: Now hold down the Ctrl key, engage the left mouse button over the anchor point at "B" and push the anchor point over to the edge of the picture.
Step 6c: With anchor point "B" adjusted correctly now zoom out and readjust the curve control handles "D" and "E" Tip: When working at high magnification you may need to move around the image. By pressing the space key, a small grabber hand appears. Now you can click and drag the image.

Step 7a: Now continue with the selection process. First "release" the Ctrl key and make a new anchor point at "F".

Continue by repeating the same procedures that were introduced in Step 3, Step 4 and Step 5.
Step 7b: Continue entering new anchor points using these same procedures (all the way around the picture) until reaching point "G".
Please note: When making new Anchor points (i.e. "A", "B", & "F") there are no adjustment handles. When you add a new anchor point (i.e. "C") adjustment handles are automatically created.
Adjustment handles are also created if you make a new anchor point (i.e. "A", "B", & "F") and move the anchor point without holding down the Ctrl key. This is the procedure used for creating "running" corners (on the fly). This is a very difficult procedure to master
Unlimited adjustments can be made to any anchor point or adjustment handle as long as the Ctrl key is depressed.
Tip: Anchor point control handles allow you to easily add curves to your selection that would be difficult to add any other way.
On the other hand!
Around tight corners, angles, or along straight sections you may want to enter multiple anchor points without "adjustable control handles". The three anchor point between "G" and "A" were made by just clicking them into place.

Step 8: I've repositioned anchor point "A" so you can see what the Pen nib looks like when the path is completed (this feature wouldn't be visible against the darker background).

When using the Pen tool, the little "o" next to the Pen nib indicates that the path is complete.
After clicking to close the connection, all the anchor points disappear and a solid path line indicates our selection path.
Notice that the line between "G" and "A" does not follow the curve of the picture properly.
To make the final adjustment move the Pen nib back along the "G,A" line. The Pen nib will have a small "x" beside it. Now depress the Right mouse button and select "Add Anchor Point"

This procedure will add a new anchor point with adjustable handles. Now, holding down the Ctrl key, push the line out to the edge and line it up properly.

Adding a new anchor point will also reinstate the rest of the anchor points so you can make any final corrections.

"Remember to hold the Ctrl key down to make any correction/adjustments".
Step 9a: To finish, the Pen path must be turned into a selection. This is done by pressing the "Right" mouse key and selecting "Make Selection".
Step 9b: This is followed by a new screen where you can choose settings for your selection.
Step 9c: Clicking "OK" will initiate your selection and display the characteristic "marching ants" around your selection .

Tip: Selections made with the Pen Tool are 100% selected within the selection boundary

Many other selection tools (like the Magic Wand tool) initially provide only partial selections.

Conclusion:

The Pen tool is the best way to make selections that involve sweeping curves and complicated edges.

Tutorial Copyright © 2002 Ron Lemire