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Tips & Tricks

How do I use the Pen Tool?

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Working with the Pen tool in Photoshop is all about precision and patience. Start by creating anchor points to outline your subject, and use the direction handles to curve lines smoothly. Remember that clicking creates straight segments, while clicking and dragging creates curves, giving you full control over shapes and paths. Use the Paths panel to save and edit your work, and combine the Pen tool with selection or masking to create clean, professional cutouts. Practicing on simple shapes first helps you get a feel for controlling curves before tackling more complex images.