How to Draw Rounded Corners in Illustrator Using the Pen Tool42

Creating rounded corners in Adobe Illustrator using the Pen Tool is a fundamental skill for designers. Rounded corners give your designs a more polished and professional look, and they can also help to soften the overall aesthetic. In this tutorial, we will show you how to draw rounded corners in Illustrator using the Pen Tool, step-by-step.

Step 1: Create a New Document

Begin by creating a new document in Illustrator. You can do this by clicking on the "File" menu and selecting "New." In the "New Document" dialog box, set the width and height of your document to the desired size. Click "OK" to create the new document.

Step 2: Select the Pen Tool

Next, select the Pen Tool from the Tools panel. The Pen Tool is located in the same group as the Line Tool and the Rectangle Tool. It is typically represented by a pen-shaped icon.

Step 3: Draw a Straight Line

Using the Pen Tool, click on the artboard to create an anchor point. Move the cursor to another location on the artboard and click again to create a second anchor point. This will create a straight line between the two points.

Step 4: Add a Round Corner

To add a round corner to the line, click on the "Convert Anchor Point Tool" from the Tools panel. It is usually represented by a corner with a curve icon. Select the anchor point at the corner of the line and click on it. This will convert the sharp corner into a round corner.

Step 5: Adjust the Corner Radius

You can adjust the radius of the corner by dragging the handles that appear on the anchor point. Dragging the handles away from the corner will increase the radius, while dragging them closer to the corner will decrease the radius.

Step 6: Smooth the Corners

If you want to smooth out the corners, select the "Smooth Tool" from the Tools panel. It is usually represented by an icon with two curved lines. Click on the corner you want to smooth and drag it. This will smooth out the corner and give it a more natural look.

Step 7: Repeat for Other Corners

Repeat steps 4-6 for any other corners that you want to round. You can also use the Pen Tool to draw shapes with multiple rounded corners.

Additional Tips* To create a perfectly round corner, hold down the "Alt" (Windows) / "Option" (Mac) key while dragging the handles.
* If you want to create corners with different radii, you can use the "Corner Options" panel. Select the corner you want to modify and adjust the radius in the panel.
* You can also use the "Live Round Corners" feature to round the corners of existing objects. Select the object and go to the "Object" menu, then select "Live Round Corners."

By following these steps, you can easily create rounded corners in Illustrator using the Pen Tool. Rounded corners can add a touch of polish and sophistication to your designs, so they are a valuable skill for any designer to master.

2025-01-20

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