Pen tool help

[rickcst]

I hope this is the Pre-V2 iPad forum. I tried to post there, but the option was grayed-out.

I’m having a problem with the Pen Tool that is affecting my workflow. I’m somewhat new the app, so maybe I’m making a simple error.

In my attached screenshot, I’ve made 3 shapes with the Pen Tool. First, I would love to be able to select the Pen Tool, then select a different brush, and have it work with that brush. Instead, it defaults to the width and color set in the context bar. So, I set mine to Gray and saved that as Default. That is shape #1 in the screenshot.

Shape #2 is a pasted version of #1. I selected it, and changed the brush to what I prefer. I’d like to set this as default, but that never works. The reason I pasted it is to show how the top corner is not fully joined. That’s what always happens when I change the brush after tracing a drawing with the pen tool.

Shape #3 happens when I create a new curve after changing the brush for shape #2 (not changing the stroke width at all). For some odd reason, that’s the default pen stroke.

My questions are: Why can’t I set the default Pen Tool brush to what I prefer in shape #2? And why is there a gap in my corners after I change the Pen Tool brush (shape #2)? Really, I would just like to tap on the Pen Tool and have it set to my default brush every time without these issues.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

 

[Ldina]

@rickcst It would be helpful if you look at some YouTube tutorials on how to use the Pen, Pencil and Brush tools. I'm assuming Affinity Designer v1 on iPad. If so, here is a link to the Designer v1 legacy tutorials. Also, check out the Affinity Help files. 

 

[rickcst]

Thank you for this link, Ldina.

I did go through the Affinity YouTube tutorials for the pen tool, however, I could not find any reference to these issues. I even went though other YouTube channels, without success.

[Ldina]

@rickcst There may be a different and better way of doing this, but I'll share one method (if I understand your request, which I'm not sure I do). I think the Pen tool always defaults to a solid line, at least at first (I may be wrong about that, so hopefully someone can correct me if I am).

1. Select the Pen tool.

2. From the context toolbar at the top of the screen, select the color you want.

3. Click on stroke width in the Context Toolbar to set the width. I tried clicking on the "Brush icon" but it seems to default to the 'line' mode, at least at first.

4. Begin drawing with the Pen tool, and created at least two nodes, your starting node and one more. I think it always defaults to drawing a thin line initially.

5. After you have at least two nodes created, (with you pen tool and your curve still active), click on whichever brush you wish to use. It should automatically be applied to your current pen stroke, and will continue to be displayed as you add more nodes. At any time, you can change the stroke, color or brush, and those will be applied to your entire stroke. 

I'm not sure if that's what you are after. 

Another approach is to use the Vector Brush tool, which allows you to apply the brush stroke directly. You can use the Node Tool later if you wish to reposition, add or delete nodes, convert them to smooth or sharp nodes, etc. 

The Pencil tool seems to work like the Pen tool. It initially draws a solid line (I think), but you can apply any brush to that line when it is selected and it will show your brush stroke. 

Hope that helps.

[Ldina]

You can use the Miter Setting in the stroke panel to control how your corners join. Increase the miter setting to get sharper angles. The smaller the angle, the higher your miter setting needs to be for a very sharp angle (assuming it is a sharp corner and not a smooth one). For example, a 15 degree angle needs a larger meter setting than a 90 degree angle. 

[rickcst]

Thank you for taking the time to help, Ldina. I appreciate your help.

What really helped in your post was when you said, "After you have at least two nodes created (with you pen tool and your curve still active), click on whichever brush you wish to use." I was trying to set the brush before plotting any nodes, which does not work. When I set the brush afterwards, it defaults to the size set in the particular brush. That was my other issue resolved. I needed to edit the brush settings and lessen the size, so when I chose that brush, it wouldn't be gigantic.

I figured out the problem with my corners not joining properly. I just saw your response about the miter settings, which I tried earlier without success. In the end, it turned out to be an overlook on my part. In the iPad brush studio, there are Pencils that are specifically for closed curves, as stated in parenthesis. When I use one of those pencils, the corners are solid and joined properly.

I just have to get used to the Pen tool always defaulting to a solid line, and not a custom brush. I think I can go forward now and get used to this workflow.

 

[Ldina]

Glad it was helpful. It gets a lot more intuitive the more you become familiar with the interface and various tools.

Every software vendor has their own interface, tools, usages, techniques, strengths and weaknesses. We just have to get used to a new way of doing things to take advantage of each software's "idiosyncrasies". I was an Adobe user since 1995. When first switching to Affinity, I "wanted" the new software to work the way I was used to working, using the tools that worked in my old software. I like some things much better in Affinity, and some not as much. Same with Adobe though. 😏

I often use the Pen tool for exact lines and curves, so I like that it defaults to a thin line. A complex curve applied when using the Pen could get in the way of precision. 

You can also copy and paste a style from one curve or object to another, or use the Style Picker tool. Lots of ways to do things. 

[rickcst]

Makes perfect sense. We have these awesome tools at our disposal—it's up to us to learn them and be flexible with their quirks.