Adobe InDesign Basic Tasks - Animations

Use the Pen Tool to Make Shapes

Mix clicks and drags to draw shapes with the Pen Tool

Image / Animation by J. Bear

Note this important point when mixing straight lines and curves: After you have created a curve, if you release the mouse button and click somewhere else, InDesign will automatically create another curve. If you don't want InDesign to create another curve, click on the last anchor point you created. This will remove the handle for that anchor point.Now you can click anywhere and InDesign will make a straight line between those two anchor points. Use this procedure to switch from curves to straight lines within a shape.

To close your shape, click on the first anchor point you created when you started drawing with the pen.

• Draw a Basic Rectangle
• Use the Pen Tool to Make Straight Lines
• Use the Pen Tool to Make Curves
• Use the Pen Tool to Make Shapes