Pen tool for custom paths in Figma - Deep Dive

Overview - Pen tool for custom paths

What is it?

The Pen tool in Figma lets you draw custom shapes and lines by placing points called nodes. You click to create straight lines or click and drag to make curves. This tool helps you create unique designs that are not limited to basic shapes.

Why it matters

Without the Pen tool, designers would be stuck using only simple shapes and lines, limiting creativity and precision. The Pen tool solves the problem of drawing exactly what you imagine, enabling detailed and custom designs that fit specific business needs or branding.

Where it fits

Before learning the Pen tool, you should know basic Figma navigation and how to use simple shapes. After mastering it, you can explore advanced vector editing, boolean operations, and creating complex icons or illustrations.

Mental Model

Core Idea

The Pen tool creates custom paths by connecting points that can be straight or curved, letting you draw any shape you imagine.

Think of it like...

Using the Pen tool is like connecting dots on a paper with a pencil, but you can bend the lines between dots to make smooth curves instead of just straight lines.

Start
  │
  ▼
[Click to place point]───►[Straight line segment]
  │                         │
  ▼                         ▼
[Click and drag]───►[Curved line segment]
  │
  ▼
[Connect points to form path]
  │
  ▼
[Custom shape or line]

Build-Up - 7 Steps

1

Foundation

Understanding points and paths

Concept: Learn what points (nodes) and paths are in vector drawing.

In Figma, a path is made of points connected by lines. Points can be corner points (sharp angles) or smooth points (curves). The Pen tool places these points to build shapes or lines.

Result

You can see how points connect to form lines or shapes.

Understanding points and paths is the base for all vector drawing, so you know what you are creating with the Pen tool.

2

Foundation

Creating straight lines with clicks

Concept: Use the Pen tool to create straight line segments by clicking points.

Select the Pen tool, click once to place the first point, then click again to place the next point. Figma connects these points with a straight line segment.

Result

A path made of straight lines appears between points.

Knowing how to create straight lines helps you build simple shapes and understand how paths form.

3

Intermediate

Drawing curves with click and drag

🤔Before reading on: do you think dragging with the Pen tool creates curves or just moves points? Commit to your answer.

Concept: Click and drag with the Pen tool to create curved segments using handles.

Click and drag to place a point with handles. These handles control the curve's direction and length, shaping the path smoothly between points.

Result

Curved lines appear between points instead of straight lines.

Understanding handles lets you control curves precisely, unlocking complex shapes beyond straight lines.

4

Intermediate

Editing points and handles after drawing

🤔Before reading on: do you think you can adjust curves after drawing or only while drawing? Commit to your answer.

Concept: You can adjust points and handles after creating paths to refine shapes.

Use the Node tool or select points to move them or adjust handles. This changes the shape without redrawing from scratch.

Result

Paths update dynamically as you move points or handles.

Knowing you can edit paths after drawing saves time and improves design flexibility.

5

Intermediate

Closing paths to create shapes

Concept: Close a path by connecting the last point to the first to form a shape.

When the last point is near the first, click it to close the path. This creates a filled shape that can have color or stroke.

Result

A closed shape appears, ready for styling.

Closing paths turns lines into shapes, essential for creating icons, logos, and complex designs.

6

Advanced

Combining Pen tool with boolean operations

🤔Before reading on: do you think the Pen tool alone can create complex shapes or do you need other tools? Commit to your answer.

Concept: Use the Pen tool to create custom shapes, then combine them with boolean operations for complex designs.

Draw multiple shapes with the Pen tool, then use Union, Subtract, Intersect, or Exclude to merge or cut shapes.

Result

Complex shapes emerge from combining simple paths.

Combining Pen tool paths with boolean operations expands design possibilities beyond single shapes.

7

Expert

Mastering path direction and node types

🤔Before reading on: do you think path direction affects fills or interactions? Commit to your answer.

Concept: Path direction and node types affect how fills render and how paths behave in advanced designs.

Paths have a direction (start to end). Node types include corner, smooth, and symmetric. Direction affects fill rules like even-odd or non-zero winding, which control how overlapping shapes fill.

Result

Precise control over fills and complex shape behavior.

Understanding path direction and node types prevents fill errors and enables advanced vector effects.

Under the Hood

The Pen tool creates vector paths by placing anchor points connected by segments. Each point can have control handles that define Bézier curves. The computer calculates the curve shape mathematically using these handles, allowing smooth and scalable graphics.

Why designed this way?

Bézier curves and anchor points were chosen because they provide precise control with few points, making vector graphics efficient and editable. This method balances simplicity for users and power for complex shapes.

┌───────────────┐
│ Anchor Point 1 │─────┐
└───────────────┘     │
                      ▼
                 ┌───────────────┐
                 │ Anchor Point 2 │
                 └───────────────┘
                      ▲
                      │
               Control Handles
               (define curve shape)

Myth Busters - 4 Common Misconceptions

Quick: Does dragging with the Pen tool always create curves? Commit yes or no.

Common Belief: Dragging with the Pen tool always creates curves.

Reality: Dragging creates curves only when you click and drag to place a point; clicking without dragging creates straight lines.

Why it matters: Misunderstanding this leads to frustration when trying to create straight lines but accidentally making curves.

Quick: Can you only edit points while drawing paths? Commit yes or no.

Common Belief: You can only edit points and curves while drawing the path.

Reality: You can edit points and handles anytime after drawing using the Node tool or direct selection.

Why it matters: Believing you cannot edit later causes unnecessary redrawing and wastes time.

Quick: Does path direction affect how fills appear? Commit yes or no.

Common Belief: Path direction does not affect fills; only shape matters.

Reality: Path direction affects fill rules like even-odd or non-zero winding, changing how overlapping areas fill.

Why it matters: Ignoring path direction can cause unexpected fill results in complex shapes.

Quick: Is the Pen tool only for drawing shapes? Commit yes or no.

Common Belief: The Pen tool is only useful for drawing shapes.

Reality: The Pen tool is also essential for creating custom lines, icons, and precise vector paths beyond shapes.

Why it matters: Limiting the Pen tool to shapes reduces its usefulness and creativity in design.

Expert Zone

1

The smoothness of curves depends heavily on handle length and angle, subtle adjustments can drastically change the shape.

2

Path direction influences not only fills but also how some effects and animations behave in advanced design tools.

3

Combining Pen tool paths with boolean operations requires understanding how overlapping paths interact to avoid unexpected holes or overlaps.

When NOT to use

Avoid using the Pen tool for very simple shapes where basic shape tools suffice, as it is slower and more complex. For pixel-perfect raster images, use bitmap editing tools instead.

Production Patterns

Professionals use the Pen tool to create custom icons, logos, and UI elements, often combining it with boolean operations and path editing to refine designs before exporting for development.

Connections

Bézier curves

The Pen tool uses Bézier curves as its mathematical foundation.

Understanding Bézier curves explains how control handles shape paths, improving precision in vector design.

Graphic design principles

The Pen tool enables applying graphic design principles like balance and symmetry through custom shapes.

Knowing design principles helps use the Pen tool effectively to create visually appealing graphics.

Calligraphy

Both Pen tool paths and calligraphy involve controlling curves and strokes to create art.

Recognizing this connection shows how digital tools mimic traditional art techniques for expressive design.

Common Pitfalls

#1 Creating unwanted curves by dragging when intending straight lines.

Wrong approach:

Select Pen tool and click and drag every point to place them.

Correct approach:

Click to place points for straight lines; click and drag only when curves are needed.

Root cause:

Not knowing that dragging creates curves leads to accidental curved segments.

#2 Trying to redraw entire paths instead of editing points.

Wrong approach:

Delete and redraw a path to fix a small curve issue.

Correct approach:

Use the Node tool to adjust points and handles to fix the curve.

Root cause:

Believing paths are fixed after drawing causes inefficient workflow.

#3 Not closing paths to create shapes, resulting in open lines.

Wrong approach:

Draw points but never connect last point to first.

Correct approach:

Click the first point again to close the path and form a shape.

Root cause:

Not understanding the difference between open paths and closed shapes.

Key Takeaways

The Pen tool creates custom vector paths by placing points connected by straight or curved segments.

Clicking places straight points; clicking and dragging creates curves controlled by handles.

Paths can be edited anytime after drawing by moving points and adjusting handles for precision.

Closing paths forms shapes that can be filled and styled, essential for complex designs.

Understanding path direction and node types is crucial for advanced fills and effects.