Tutorial for Designing and Drawing Closed Shapes in Illustrator CS3

Adobe Illustrator uses paths comprised of points to create shapes that can either be opened or closed. A closed path means that all of the points are connected, while an open path means that a space exists between two points with no connecting line. Creating shapes that appear enclosed but are, in fact, open can often lead to frustration when you try to perform some simple tasks such as changing the fill color or using Pathfinder. Fortunately, you can join points to close a path if the path is left open.

Pen Tool

Select the “Pen” tool.

Click in the artboard where your want your shape to begin.

Click where you want your second point. Release the mouse to create a straight line between the points; drag the mouse to create a curved line.

Continue placing straight and curved points to design your shape.

Hover over the first point until a small circle appears next to the Pen icon. Click the first point to close the shape.

Double-click on the “Fill” icon or the “Stroke” icon in the Tools panel. Select the desired color.

Pencil Tool

Select the “Pencil” tool.

Click in the artboard and drag the mouse to design your shape.

Hold down the “Shift” key and select the first and last point on the path you created.

Click on the “Object” menu, hover over “Path” and select “Join.”

Double-click on the “Fill” or “Stroke” icon in the Tools panel. Select the desired color.

Shape Tool

Select the “Rectangle” tool, “Rounded Rectangle” tool, “Ellipse” tool, “Polygon” tool or “Star” tool.

Click in the artboard and drag the mouse to design the shape.

Press the “Up” arrow while dragging the mouse to increase the number of points on a polygon or star; press the “Down” arrow to decrease the number of points. Press the “Up” arrow while dragging the mouse to increase the corner radius on a rounded rectangle; press the “Down” arrow to decrease the corner radius.

Double-click on the “Fill” icon or the “Stroke” icon in the Tools panel. Select the desired color.