Pen tool for custom paths in Figma - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

The Pen tool in Figma lets you draw custom shapes and lines by placing points and curves. It helps you create unique visuals that standard shapes cannot achieve.

When you want to draw a custom shape like a star or a wave that is not available in default shapes

When you need to trace over an image or logo to create a vector version

When designing icons that require precise curves and angles

When creating flowchart connectors that are not straight lines

When you want to create a complex path for clipping or masking images

Steps

Step 1: Click

- Toolbar on the left, Pen tool icon

The cursor changes to a pen tip, ready to draw points

Step 2: Click

- Canvas where you want the first point

A point appears, starting the path

Step 3: Click

- Canvas to add a straight line point

A straight line connects the first point to the new point

Step 4: Click and drag

- Canvas to add a curved point

Handles appear allowing you to adjust the curve shape

Step 5: Click

- First point to close the path

The path closes forming a shape

Step 6: Press Escape

- Keyboard

Stops drawing and deselects the Pen tool

Before vs After

Before

Canvas shows no custom shapes, only default rectangles and circles

After

Canvas shows a custom star shape drawn with the Pen tool, with smooth curves and colored fill

Settings Reference

Stroke color

📍 Right sidebar under Stroke section

Sets the color of the path outline

Default: Black

Stroke weight

📍 Right sidebar under Stroke section

Controls the thickness of the path outline

Default: 1 px

Fill color

📍 Right sidebar under Fill section

Fills the inside of a closed path with color

Default: None

Corner type

📍 Right sidebar under Stroke section

Changes how corners look where lines meet

Default: Miter

Common Mistakes

Clicking without dragging when trying to create curves

This creates straight lines instead of curves

Click and drag to pull handles and form curves

Not closing the path when creating shapes

The shape will not fill with color and remains an open path

Click the first point again to close the path

Trying to edit points without selecting the path

You cannot move or adjust points if the path is not selected

Select the path with the Move tool before editing points

Summary

The Pen tool lets you draw custom lines and shapes by placing points and curves.

Use click for straight lines and click-drag for curves to control the shape.

Close paths to create fillable shapes and adjust stroke and fill in the sidebar.

Practice

1. What does the Pen tool in Figma primarily allow you to do?

easy

A. Draw custom shapes by placing points and curves

B. Automatically generate charts from data

C. Import images into your design

D. Create text layers with different fonts

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the Pen tool's primary function

   The Pen tool is used to create custom shapes by placing points and curves. Options B, C, and D describe other Figma features unrelated to the Pen tool.

2. Final Answer:

   Draw custom shapes by placing points and curves -> Option A

3. Quick Check:

   Pen tool = Draw shapes [OK]

Hint: Pen tool = points + curves for shapes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Pen tool with text or image tools
• Thinking Pen tool auto-generates charts
• Assuming Pen tool only draws straight lines

2. Which action creates a curved point when using the Pen tool in Figma?

easy

A. Click once on the canvas

B. Right-click on the canvas

C. Click and drag on the canvas

D. Double-click on the canvas

Solution

1. Step 1: Determine how to create curved points with the Pen tool

   Clicking once places a straight point; clicking and dragging creates a curved point. Double-click and right-click do not create curves with the Pen tool.

2. Final Answer:

   Click and drag on the canvas -> Option C

3. Quick Check:

   Click+drag = curve point [OK]

Hint: Drag while clicking to curve points [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Clicking once expecting a curve
• Using double-click instead of drag
• Right-clicking to create points

3. What will happen if you use the Pen tool to place points at (0,0), (100,0), (100,100), and then close the path back to (0,0)?

medium

A. A square shape will be created

B. A triangle shape will be created

C. An open line will be drawn

D. A circle shape will be created

Solution

1. Step 1: Plot the points to determine the closed shape

   The points form corners at (0,0), (100,0), (100,100), and back to (0,0). This is three points forming a closed triangle shape, not a square.

2. Final Answer:

   A triangle shape will be created -> Option B

3. Quick Check:

   Closed path with three points = triangle [OK]

Hint: Close path with three points = triangle [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking three points make a square
• Assuming open path creates a shape
• Confusing square with triangle

4. You tried to create a curved path with the Pen tool but the curve looks sharp and not smooth. What is the most likely mistake?

medium

A. You closed the path before adding curves

B. You placed points too far apart

C. You used the wrong color for the path

D. You clicked instead of clicking and dragging to create curve handles

Solution

1. Step 1: Diagnose the cause of sharp curves

   Curves require clicking and dragging to create handles; clicking alone makes sharp corners. Closing path, color choice, or point distance do not affect curve smoothness directly.

2. Final Answer:

   You clicked instead of clicking and dragging to create curve handles -> Option D

3. Quick Check:

   Click vs drag for curves = smoothness [OK]

Hint: Drag to curve, click only = sharp corner [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring drag for curves
• Blaming color or path closure
• Thinking point distance affects curve shape

5. You want to create a custom star shape using the Pen tool with smooth curves on each point. Which sequence of actions is best?

hard

A. Click to place each star point, then click and drag to curve each segment, finally close the path

B. Click and drag to place all points, then leave the path open

C. Click to place points and leave the path open for a star shape

D. Use the rectangle tool and then convert it to a star

Solution

1. Step 1: Outline the correct sequence for a smooth curved star

   Click to place each star point, then click and drag to curve each segment smoothly, finally close the path to complete the shape.

2. Final Answer:

   Click to place each star point, then click and drag to curve each segment, finally close the path -> Option A

3. Quick Check:

   Click + drag + close path = smooth star [OK]

Hint: Click points, drag curves, close path for shapes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Leaving path open for closed shapes
• Not dragging to create curves
• Using wrong tools for star shape