Macromedia Flash - Pen Tool

Author

Pen Tool

designdog webforumsuser@macromedia.com

2003-11-30, 12:41 pm

OK I admit it, I have not used the pen tool much in Flash (preferring Illustrator.)

So I was fooling around with it this morning, and found it to be very one dimensional - or maybe something is wrong with my settings. Thus my questions:

1. can you move the reference point as you are drawing (in Illustrator you hold down the space bar, and you can move it anywhere)

2. can you live-switch between the pen tool and the direct select tool via the keyboard (in Illustrator you would Command click - Alt on Windows) I thought I was able to do this in Flash...

3. how do you change a smooth point to a corner point (in Illustrator you hold the option key) I thought you clicked on the point with the pen tool, but that is just adding another point...

I am using Flash MX 2004 Professional 7.0.1

PS - in experimenting, I have been able to import Adobe Illustrator CS files without a problem - even those created with the new 3D effect!

Tom Unger

2003-11-30, 12:41 pm

designdog;
The pen tool in flash is a "simulation" of the type of pen found in
postscript illustration apps such as ai or MM's Freehand and so is a bit of
a strange duck. You can find a technote at Macromedia flash support that
describes how it works. -Tom Unger

phatkow webforumsuser@macromedia.com

2003-11-30, 12:41 pm

unfortunately MM has not paid as much attention to the design side of flash as much as they have the programming/backend side.
the pen tool is limited - especially when compared to Freehand and Illustrator - after making vectors with the pen tool - use the white arrow tool to edit them. But there's no way to convert anchors to curves, corners, or tangents with the click of a butt
on.
On the flip side,, the simplicity of flash's drawing engine is what i love about it as well - it has its drawbacks and strengths - i have adjusted to it over the years and now i'm just used to it. but if yer coming from a more robust design program, it ma
y leave you wanting more.

chris georgenes
mudbubble.com
Team Macromedia Volunteer for Flash
http://www.flashfilmmaker.com