Freeform Pen Tool
The Freeform Pen Tool allows you to draw shapes, either freehand, or using the Magnetic option. This guide looks at both. It is used a lot by designers and artists, to create custom shapes.
Also see other Pen tools that share the button on the Toolbar. These tools create paths.
These are tools, to be used in conjunction with the above tools, to edit paths.
Freeform Pen Tool Options
Detailed descriptions of each tool option
Tool Presets
You can create and save a Tool Preset for any tool, which will remember settings that you choose for that tool, so you can quickly and easily select different presets and settings for a particular tool. The degree of usefulness of presets varies, depending on the tool.
You can reset any tool back to its default settings by right clicking on the Tool Presets button and select Reset Tool. Take care not to Reset All Tools, unless that is intended.
Tool Mode
There are three options;
Shape Create a shape layer and color it.
Path Create path, which you can then easily convert into a selection.
Pixels You can apply the Freeform Pen tool directly to the pixels in the selected layer, but this will make changes directly to those pixels, which is destructive editing. Alternatively select the Path option in the Tool Mode, which you can turn into a selection, and then apply it to a Layer Mask. This option is non-destructive and permanently editable.
Make Options
When you have created a path, you can choose what to do with it.
Selection Convert the path to a selection, which you can then edit or refine, before either applying to a Layer Mask, or applying an adjustment directly to it.
Mask Convert the path straight to a Layer Mask. This is ideal if the selection does not need any further editing or refining, although with Layer Masks, you can still always do that.
Shape Convert the path straight to shape.
Path Operations
Select the appropriate operation.
For examples of how selections interact, see Selections Interactions.
Path Alignment
Select options regarding Alignment and Distribution.
For more information, see Align & Distribute.
Path Arrangement
Arrange elements, by bringing forward, so they are in front of other elements, or sending back, so they are behind other elements.
Bring Shape to Front brings the shape to the front, so it is visible over all other shapes.
Bring Shape Forward brings a shape forwards, so it is in front of the next shape. It may still be behind other shapes.
Send Shape Backward Sends a shape backwards so it is behind other shapes. It may still be in front of other shapes.
Send Shape to Back Sends a shape to the back, so it is behind all other shapes.
Path Options
These are some options for your preference while you work with a path.
Curve Fit This controls the cursor movement sensitivity when drawing the path. It's range is 0.5 to 10 pixels. Use a higher value to create a simpler path.
Width: The Magnetic Pen detects edges only within this specified distance (1-256 pixels) from the cursor’s center point.
Contrast: The percentage value specifies the contrast required between pixels for a certain area to be an edge. Lower contrast requires higher values (1-100 percent).
Frequency: This specifies the rate at which the Pen sets anchor points (0-100). A higher value anchors the path in place more quickly.
Magnetic
Select this option to have anchor points automatically added along an edge that you brush over.
This option can also be selected from the Path Options, shown immediately above.
Align Edges
This option is not available while using the Freeform Pen Tool.
How to use the Freeform Pen Tool
To make it easier to compare the different Pen tools, I will use the same image of an egg, as I did with the Pen tool guide.
Step 1
The Freeform Pen tool draws freehand, unless you turn on the Magnetic option (covered below). It does smooth out some of the line you draw, depending on the Curve Fit option.
Step 2
Choose whether or not to select Magnetic. I will use the tool with Magnetic turned off. Below, there are steps to explain how to use the tool with Magnetic turned on.
The Freeform Pen tool draws freehand, (unless Magnetic is turned on, covered below). It does smooth out some of the line you draw, depending on the Curve Fit option.
I will use the default values, as shown. See Path Options above for full details of the options.
Step 3
Draw freehand. I have tried to be as accurate as possible.
Anchor points are added automatically.
Step 4
Click on the Selection button in the Options bar.
We can clearly see this isn't perfect.
Step 5
I've added a Layer Mask, to clearly show the egg against a different background.
For details see:
How to add a new backgroundHow to use the Magnetic Freeform Pen Tool
The previous steps 1-5 showed how to use the Freeform Pen tool without the Magnetic option. We will now look at using it with the Magnetic option.
Step 7
Move the tool around the edge, being as accurate as you can. Anchor points will be added automatically, based on the options in the previous step.
You must keep the brush over the edge.
Step 8
To complete the path, look for the Pen tool with the Magnetic icon.
Take it slow as you near the end, to minimize glitches in the shape.
Release the mouse button and the path will be completed
Step 9
Go slowly and carefully as you near the end of the path. It's easy to get small glitches, like this one here.
The next step shows the result of this.
Step 10
This is the result of not perfectly meeting up with the beginning of the path.
Step 11
The completed path, with anchor points added automatically.
Step 12
I tried to be as accurate as I could, but there are still some visible flaws to the path. See the next step for close-ups.
Step 13
Much of the path is very good, but there are some flaws.
Summary of the Freeform Pen Tool
If you want to create an accurate path of an object, the Magnetic Freeform Pen Tool is certainly better than the Freeform Pen Tool. However, in some situations it's still not perfect.
I would personally use the Pen Tool instead if quality was important.
