how the hell do ya use pen tool

[jiddy]

i need help on the pen tool..... i can create new anchers/anchor point but each time i click in a new space from the previous, the pen line is automatically bent......................instead of being straight then me having to adjust the curve of the line! why is that

can anyone help please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mike Minnillo]

hmm...i have that same problem. anyone have any advice?

[VipFREAK]

Can you post a screenshot?

[Mike Minnillo]

i believe this is what jiddy is talking about:

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h219/Fredjman73/Misc/linehelp.jpg

why does this second line segment start out curved? and how can that be stopped?

[VipFREAK]

Ok... pick your starting points, make sure you have the handles showing up. It doesn't matter where you place the starting points but the fewer of them the easier, smoother, and faster it will go.

When you got the points to where you think you want them then move each handles to line up to the curve you want.

Make sense?

http://img416.imageshack.us/img416/8555/ghmn1.th.jpg (http://img416.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ghmn1.jpg)

[Mike Minnillo]

but the problem that im having is that i go from making a curved line and then trying to make a straight one after that. in the example i posted, there are two segments. the first goes along the top of the grill, and the second is the curved piece. how do i get the second to stay straight, instead of curving right away?

[iMARC]

first make straight lines roughly round it and then add anchor points to curve it...
(sry i had pics but couldnt manage to uplod them...)

cheers

[VipFREAK]

http://img345.imageshack.us/img345/2199/fgql9.jpg

[jiddy]

im still abit unsure but thanx for your help anyway guys

[VipFREAK]

What are you not getting? I don't understand how this stuff isn't straight forward for you guys... ?

[jiddy]

have you seen the tutorial videos on monstermonster.co.uk..........in the video tutorial they use the pen tool so easily each time they click from one point to another the pen line is straight and they have the choice to customize the curve of the line

each time i click from on point to another wether it a small distance or a big distance the pen line is automatically bent .....this makes it difficult to make a decent selection.....if you know what i mean?

[iMARC]

okay i did an animation now!!! just roughly go round it and then add anchor points and curve it!!!...

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/3736/linetoolll3.gif

CHEERS

[Mike Minnillo]

thanks dude! it makes sense now! jiddy, if youre still stumped (cuz silvia's PS is all in german), make the rough outline like he did. then click the add anchor button, click once in the middle of the line (dont drag yet) and then hover the cursor over the new anchor. it should be a white arrow (it is on my comp) now, drag, and it will make the line curve in the direction that youre dragging.