Pen tool for custom paths in Figma - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the primary use of the Pen tool in Figma?

The Pen tool is used to create custom paths by placing points and drawing straight or curved lines between them.

beginner

How do you create a curved segment with the Pen tool in Figma?

Click to place a point, then drag the mouse to pull out handles that shape the curve between points.

beginner

What happens when you click on the first point again while using the Pen tool?

Clicking the first point closes the path, creating a complete shape.

intermediate

How can you convert a curved point to a corner point using the Pen tool?

Hold the Alt/Option key and click on the point to break the handles and create a sharp corner.

beginner

Why is the Pen tool important for creating custom shapes in Figma?

It allows precise control over shapes by letting you draw exactly the lines and curves you want, beyond basic shapes.

What key do you hold to convert a smooth point to a corner point with the Pen tool?

A Shift

B Alt/Option

C Ctrl/Cmd

D Space

Holding Alt/Option lets you break the handles to create a corner point.

How do you close a path when using the Pen tool?

A Double-click anywhere

B Press Enter

C Press Esc

D Click the first point again

Clicking the first point closes the path, forming a shape.

What does dragging after placing a point with the Pen tool do?

A Creates curve handles for a curved segment

B Creates a straight line

C Deletes the point

D Moves the entire path

Dragging pulls out handles that shape the curve between points.

Which of these is NOT a function of the Pen tool?

A Drawing straight lines

B Creating curved paths

C Filling colors automatically

D Closing paths to form shapes

The Pen tool draws paths; filling colors is done separately.

What is the first step to start drawing with the Pen tool?

A Select the Pen tool and click to place the first point

B Drag to create a shape

C Double-click to start

D Right-click to open menu

You start by selecting the Pen tool and clicking to place the first point.

Explain how to create a custom curved path using the Pen tool in Figma.

Think about placing points and dragging to shape curves.

Describe how to change a smooth curve point into a sharp corner point with the Pen tool.

Focus on the key used to break curve handles.

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