How to use the Pencil and Smooth Tools in Illustrator

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 มิ.ย. 2024
  • The pencil and smooth tools come in really handy when you need to draw or redraw parts of your graphic - in fact I use them every day! They're super easy to use if you just know the basics.
    Here's the font used in this tutorial - Grand Hotel:
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ความคิดเห็น • 127

  • @GDHT
    @GDHT  3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Learn how to ETHICALLY get Adobe CC free (or cheap) here: th-cam.com/video/9b2rlS3dSjQ/w-d-xo.html

  • @evadesignagency
    @evadesignagency 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    5 years later and your videos are still phenomenal and relevant. Thank You for this one!

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Awww thank you so much!!

  • @dkarcade_
    @dkarcade_ 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Awesome tutorial! Thank you so much for this! I love how you mention the keyboard commands too for those of us unfamiliar!

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You're welcome!! And thank you!

  • @DolbroDan
    @DolbroDan 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    thanks for all the help. i love shortcuts and getting to the point. So your advice was priceless :)

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you so much!!

  • @SusanBarrettPrice
    @SusanBarrettPrice 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very helpful. Thanks for your generosity in sharing.

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      You're very welcome!!

  • @charlesjosef6045
    @charlesjosef6045 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I appreciate the useful information without the silly fluff that others offer. This channel looks like a great place to brush up on skills and learn new ones. THANKS!!!

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you so much!!

  • @DonatoGreco
    @DonatoGreco 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    one of the best explanation on the subject, complete and simple. 👍👍👍

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you so much!!

  • @jfosterdesigns
    @jfosterdesigns 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Oh my goodness. I did not know you could use the pencil tool for this! This completely changes my typography game!!! Thank you 3000!!!

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Aww you're welcome 3000! :D

  • @joaquind.cabezas5832
    @joaquind.cabezas5832 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is A REALLY GREAT tutorial!!! Congrats

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you!

  • @RituSharma-zq6dz
    @RituSharma-zq6dz 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank You for your videos. It actually helps me a lot in understanding Illustrator.

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      You're welcome! I'm so glad to hear that!

  • @rajithahettige
    @rajithahettige 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Awesome tutorial! clean & clear

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      thank you!!

  • @nicolray1
    @nicolray1 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    You are a great instructor! Keep making videos!!!

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Awwww thank you so much!!

  • @lynneholman891
    @lynneholman891 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hands down the best Pencil tool tutorial I have found - thank you

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  ปีที่แล้ว

      Wow, thank you so much!

  • @beaazu826
    @beaazu826 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    You are such a great teacher!

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Wow, thank you so much!

  • @ElszyRocks
    @ElszyRocks ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you, exactly what I was looking for!

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  ปีที่แล้ว

      You're welcome!!

  • @dalakishvili
    @dalakishvili ปีที่แล้ว

    Straight to the point tutorial. Thank you!

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  ปีที่แล้ว

      You're welcome - I'm so glad it was helpful!

  • @tbmadeitt
    @tbmadeitt ปีที่แล้ว

    THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I’ve been frustrated for days

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  ปีที่แล้ว

      You're welcome - I'm so glad the video helped!!

  • @2danniegrl
    @2danniegrl ปีที่แล้ว +1

    First of all thank you so very much for posting these tutorials! I just found your channel, and I realize this is several years old, but let me say OMG.... I have had AI for a few years now, but I do not use it much. I am a crafter and got into design because of that. Cricut and Silhouette Design programs have always been a hassle for me, so I tried AI. I used it a lot at first, but then stopped this past year so I am rusty. I say that to say I never saw any tutorials that showed how to do what this video showed and I am having a horrible time cleaning up an image of words LUCKY MAMA and I am like HEYYYYYYYY I can think of A MILLION projects I wish I had known about these tools! I am so excited to have found your channel. Going to watch more now. Thank you!

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  ปีที่แล้ว

      You're welcome - I'm so glad the videos are helping!! If you're struggling with anything else, we do have a free Facebook group where you can include images of your problem along with your question: facebook.com/groups/adobeillustratorusershelp

  • @anthonye.2553
    @anthonye.2553 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Great tutorial! I’ve always struggled with the smooth and pencil tool.

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you- so glad it helped you!

  • @duplinestephanus1603
    @duplinestephanus1603 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Wow, this is the clearest tutorial on the pencil tool. Thank you

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      You're welcome - and thank you so much!!

  • @salehinsakib
    @salehinsakib ปีที่แล้ว

    wow! exactly what i needed . thank you miss

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You're welcome 😊

  • @Mikeyalbum
    @Mikeyalbum 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I always use the pencil tool but never knew about the option key/smooth tool shortcut (in fact I forgot the tool even existed). This is going to be such a big help :)

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Oh that is great! I actually didn't know about it till recently (I had an extra shortcut set up specifically for the Smooth tool!).

  • @TinaDerby01
    @TinaDerby01 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Super well done! Thank youuuuu :)

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Tina Derby thank you!!

  • @jendu9538
    @jendu9538 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Really helpful! Thank you!

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      You're welcome! I'm glad it was helpful!

  • @mannyfilmsinc
    @mannyfilmsinc 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    AWESOME LESSON!! THANK YOU!!!

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you - I'm glad you liked it!

  • @cagdastopcu6352
    @cagdastopcu6352 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    The best TH-cam channel.. You taught me a lot, dear Anne.. Endless thank you..

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you so much!! I really appreciate it!

  • @Antonina81
    @Antonina81 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    So good but fast vid. I learned a lot froom you. Thank you.

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      This is one of my first videos - I'm sorry it's a bit fast!! I do try to slow the pacing a bit now. :D

  • @isabellewest3013
    @isabellewest3013 ปีที่แล้ว

    Amazing! Thanks! I usually either use the pen tool and take some time to smooth out the design manually or the paint brush tool, at a preliminary stage, which doesn’t connect paths so well.

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  ปีที่แล้ว

      You're welcome - I'm so glad the video helped!

  • @Heazito
    @Heazito 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video!! thanks for the help, I can create unique logos now!!

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      You're welcome - and thank you!!

  • @montrymanuel
    @montrymanuel 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you so much :) It's helped me
    cheers

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      You're welcome - I'm glad it helped!!

  • @thrice911
    @thrice911 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Awesome tutorial Anne, thank you! A quick comment about 5:50... I believe the Cmd-E shortcut is set to toggle GPU performance by default in Illustrator, not to expand objects. However, I love your idea of using Cmd-E to expand objects since that's something I do all the time. Definitely going to remember that one. Thanks!

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      I just checked and on my version of Illustrator (CC 2019), CMD E is the default for Expand. I do have a custom shortcut for Expand Appearance (Shift CMD E). Are you on an older version of Illustrator? Maybe it's a somewhat recent change.

  • @sponk-long
    @sponk-long หลายเดือนก่อน

    I love this ❤

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you so much!!

  • @gelatinskeleton8745
    @gelatinskeleton8745 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Jesus. I really needed this.

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I'm so glad it was helpful for you!!

  • @SivaKumar-fw1wi
    @SivaKumar-fw1wi 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    thank you for the video.

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      You're welcome!!

  • @ActiveMoxie
    @ActiveMoxie 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    good lesson thanks

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you!!

  • @chekromlek1918
    @chekromlek1918 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I start from scratch how to use AI, Your tutorial is extremely useful for me. Much appreciate.

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you!!

  • @fvxwthis6579
    @fvxwthis6579 ปีที่แล้ว

    thank you so much

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  ปีที่แล้ว

      You're welcome!

  • @dankemo3169
    @dankemo3169 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you!!

  • @blackboss9447
    @blackboss9447 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    thank you lot miss :3

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      You're welcome 😊

  • @sajjadabouei6721
    @sajjadabouei6721 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    thanks a lot

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      You're welcome!

  • @jenniferlambert3886
    @jenniferlambert3886 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    You’re good!

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you!!

  • @vamboo8918
    @vamboo8918 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thanks

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      You're welcome!

  • @soniyawawhal7234
    @soniyawawhal7234 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks Ma'am

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      You're welcome!!

  • @stevesculptor1
    @stevesculptor1 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I love your tut's. I'm using some old WMF (Windows meta file) they open in Ai but are covered in anchor points, is there a way to smooth these in 'bulk' other than using the Smooth Tool? Thx

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Thank you! Yes - you can go to Object > Path > Simplify and mess with the settings. I also have a video for that if you're interested: th-cam.com/video/4shGQQDX-Ac/w-d-xo.html

  • @zozix4116
    @zozix4116 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Leela from Futurama

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Ha!

  • @abidhossainmanu7827
    @abidhossainmanu7827 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    very helpful. please make a new video tutorial in illustrator

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you - I upload a new video every Thursday! :)

  • @artxaryan
    @artxaryan 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Can I ask how do I turn off the blue line I I having in pencil tool while sketching, very frustrated. And how to turn on pressure sensitivity option

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      The blue line just helps you see what you've drawn - when you release, it goes away. Just make sure you have a stroke color. For pressure sensitivity, you have to have a Wacom tablet or other tool that supports it (a mouse won't work).

  • @stacyforbes6139
    @stacyforbes6139 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you, thank you, thank you! I was getting so frustrated and now I'm not. Great tutorial!

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Aww thank you!! That is great to hear!

  • @naamaaviad8170
    @naamaaviad8170 ปีที่แล้ว

    hey im doing the exact same thing on 1:30 with my pencil tool I creat outlines and than draw with the pencil tool to make a nice curly shape but it doesn't connect the shape to the letter. and yes Im starting and finishing on the path. i would love some help.

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  ปีที่แล้ว

      Is your letter is outlined (not live text)? Other than that, open your Pencil tool options, and check the bottom option. Make sure it's selected, and the 'Within' part is about 6-7 pixels. Let me know if that doesn't fix it.

    • @naamaaviad8170
      @naamaaviad8170 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@GDHT its better' now it becomes one compact path ' but it still doesnt look like yours, i can see both paths' not as on path. i mean i see the line of the letter and the line i added

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  ปีที่แล้ว

      @@naamaaviad8170 hmm, can you send the file? howtographicdesigner@gmail.com I'll take a look.

  • @penyusupbumi215
    @penyusupbumi215 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Your welcome

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      ...Thank you....I think! :D

  • @bilbob7624
    @bilbob7624 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    is there a way to have the pencil tool close the path after drawing? or connect the first and last points?

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yes - once you get close to the starting point, your cursor will change, then you can release and it'll connect.

    • @bilbob7624
      @bilbob7624 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@GDHT Thanks so much!

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      You're welcome!

  • @ang.giselle2024
    @ang.giselle2024 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hello, I just noticed your channel. Good content. Do you think it is too late for an adult 50+ to start a new career as a graphic designer? Your opinion is greatly valued.

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hi there, thank you!! No, I don't think it's too late, but I do think it will be a little harder - some places have bias towards the younger crowd - they also like hiring people they think they can pay less. It's not cool, but it's (somewhat) reality. Thankfully there are plenty of places that value a more mature workforce.

  • @kwaku_2023
    @kwaku_2023 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Crtl + E (windows) not working for Expand. Dont have it as an options in keyboard shortcuts too.

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hmmm that's weird. You can go to Object > Expand too. It sounds like you might need to reset your preferences, but just know that resets your whole Illustrator setup.

    • @kwaku_2023
      @kwaku_2023 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hello@@GDHT, it must be set as keyboard shortcut before it works. Just tried it and it works fine after that. Thank you.

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@kwaku_2023 that keyboard shortcut comes standard in Illustrator, but it could be you changed it at some point, or sometimes Preferences get out of whack (a reset will fix them).

  • @janiceyan5928
    @janiceyan5928 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    why I can't find the smooth tool?

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      It's under the Pencil tool. But your toolbar might also just not be showing it. Click the 3 dots at the bottom of the toolbar, go to the upper right of the flyout, click those 3 dots, and click Reset.

  • @Grace-hr3qi
    @Grace-hr3qi 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    how to add selection once we use pencil it deletes the path how to add next path

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You'll need to deselect / click off to add a new line (if you're too close to the other pencil line)

    • @Grace-hr3qi
      @Grace-hr3qi 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      how maam can u tell me i m begineer

    • @Grace-hr3qi
      @Grace-hr3qi 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      beginner

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hold Shift CMD a, or Shift CTRL a on PC to deselect all. Then draw your next path.

  • @sonny5196
    @sonny5196 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    As a natural artist Penicl tool is my choosen tool. Never use the pen tool.

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      I love the pencil tool, but I find it hard to use when you want to create something really exact. It works well for lots of other stuff, though! :D

  • @sarsky22
    @sarsky22 ปีที่แล้ว

    my pencil tool just create a new object and never agglomerate to the original object...

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  ปีที่แล้ว

      There could be two issues. First you might not have had the original object selected. Second, in Pencil Tool options, make sure the "Edit Selected Paths" is within about 6 pixels or so.

    • @sarsky22
      @sarsky22 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@GDHT Thanks for the answer, it works now ! Nice

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  ปีที่แล้ว

      @@sarsky22 awesome 👏

  • @d.o.a9236
    @d.o.a9236 ปีที่แล้ว

    Nothing work

    • @GDHT
      @GDHT  ปีที่แล้ว

      What are you trying to do?