Illustrator Pencil Tool Help

May 20, 2009 1:53 PM

Is there a way to change the options for the PENCIL TOOL in ILLUSTRATOR so that it just draws a new line once you pick it up and put it down again - (no matter how close you are to the previously drawn line)?

Sorry - this is confusing to word - but if you have the same problem I am sure you will no what I am talking about.

For example - say I want to draw hash marks with the pencil tool.
As soon as I draw one line and try to draw the next one - it either a) replaces the first line or b) connects to the first line.

I want it to just keep the first line and draw a new one. It's more natural.

The only work around I have is to draw a line far away and then come back and draw the in betweens - but that is not as natural.

It drives me nuts. Thee has to be a way to fix it.

I am in CS3 on a Mac and CS4 on a PC.

Let me know.
Thanks :)

posted by ChloeMills to computers & internet (4 comments total)

Double click on the pencil tool in the toolbar. A preferences box will pop up. Uncheck "Keep selected" and "Edit selected paths"
posted by studentbaker at 1:58 PM on May 20 [2 favorites]

Umm - that is so easy. and amazing.

I've been suffering for a long time with this.
I can't believe its so easy! :)
posted by ChloeMills at 2:02 PM on May 20

big "duh!" moment for me too, thanks!
posted by _dario at 2:12 PM on May 20

Wow! Who knew? Thanks for asking!
posted by springbound at 4:22 PM on May 20