Adobe Illustrator Tutorial : LARC 440

Notice! You are about to enter the wild world of curves. Be patient as the territory may feel strange at first. Don't worry, the ride gets less bumpy in little time!

In Adobe Illustrator you draw what is known as a Bezier Curve. You do this by setting anchor points and dragging to create the desired curve. The process will take some getting used to, but once learned, it will allow you to create curves with a great deal of precision and control.

To draw a curve you use the pen tool to first set an anchor point where you want the curve to begin. Before you release the mouse button drag in the direction you want the "bump" of the curve to go. (e.g. To draw mountains drag upward. To draw depressions drag down!)

As you drag direction lines sprout up from the anchor point. (Remember: Direction lines can be manipulated to change the curves direction.)

The next step in creating a curve is to set an anchor point at the position you want the curve to end. Click at this point and, again before you release the mouse button, drag in direction you want the curve to go. (To make a C-shaped curves drag downward. For S-shaped curves drag upward.)

To continue the line segment keep creating anchor points. Just click and go for straight lines. Click and drag to make curves. Click away from the current path with the selection tool to end it.

Tips for Drawing Curves

Four out of five curve experts agree that the best way to have control over the look of a curve is to drag the direction point one third of the length of the desired curve were it laid flat.

Try and use as few anchor points as possible when drawing curves. Think about taking broad strokes with a pen. Using less anchor points will not only make your curves "sexier", it will allow your file size to be smaller, and your display time to be less.

Try to position an anchor point on each end of a curve, rather than having a third anchor point placed somewhere along the curves length.