how to use the pen tool in affinity photo? (can't even make a basic stroke!)

[MaxKøngerskov]

How do I outline with the freaking pen tool in affinity photo? I'm getting really annoyed right now.

[stokerg]

Hi MaxKøngerskov

 

We have a great tutorial on using the pen tool here:

https://vimeo.com/107567054

 

It is for Designer but the Pen Tool works the same way in Photo as it does in Designer.

[R C-R]

It may be worth mentioning that this tutorial is an old one & there are now four Pen Tool modes in both Designer & Photo, including a polygon mode for drawing multi-node paths connected by straight lines.

 

For quickly creating some kinds of irregular shapes, I sometimes use this mode to draw a jagged approximation of the shape, & then go back & select all the nodes that should be curved with a marquee select, & then click on the Smooth or Smart convert buttons in the Context toolbar. This usually gets me close enough to the desired shape that it only takes a little refinement with the Node tool to finish it.

 

For someone as untalented as I am, or just unfamiliar with drawing with bezier curves, this can be useful.