This wikiHow teaches you how to create curved lines in Photoshop on your Windows or Mac computer. The most basic way to do this is using the Pen Tool, but you can also use a simplified version of the Pen Tool to draw curved lines by clicking multiple points on the canvas.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using the Pen Tool
Step 1. Open the Photoshop project
If you haven't already, double-click on the project where you want to draw a curved line.
Step 2. Select the Pen Tool
Click the Pen icon, which resembles the head of an ink pen. It's in the toolbar on the left of the screen.
The Pen Tool is not available in Photoshop Elements
Step 3. Position the cursor
Before you start drawing, place your cursor at the point where you want to start drawing.
Step 4. Click and hold where the start of the line will be
This step will create the first anchor point for your line.
Step 5. Slide in the direction of the desired curve
The point where you release the cursor will be the top of the curved line.
Step 6. Click and hold the point where the line will connect
This step will create a line from the first anchor point to the second anchor point you just created.
Step 7. Slide the mouse in the opposite direction of the curve
You will see the curved lines adjust as you move the mouse cursor. Release the mouse cursor when the line curve is the way you want it.
Step 8. Add more anchor points
You can add curves to an existing line by clicking and holding the next line point, then dragging the mouse to adjust the curvature of this segment.
Try to return the line to its initial anchor point so that you can close the line segment and create a flat shape
Step 9. Click on the starting anchor point
Once you've made the curved lines as desired, make sure the Pen Tool doesn't create additional curves by hovering over an empty starting point, then clicking when you see a small circle appear next to the cursor.
Step 10. Use the Direct Select tool to adjust points and curves
The Direct Select tool is an icon that resembles a white arrow. Click on the toolbar and use it to adjust the line using the following steps:
- Click the line to see all the points on the line. Then, click and drag on the point to move it.
- When you click on a point using the Direct Select tool, you will see two lines with dots at the ends, extending from the point in opposite directions. This is the handle of the bezier curve. Click and drag the points on these handles to adjust the curve.
Step 11. Add or remove anchor points
After you create a curved line, adjust the details by adding or removing points in the line. Follow these steps to add or remove points in a line:
- Click and hold the Pen Tool icon in the toolbar to display a pop-out menu.
- Click the Add Anchor Point tool, or Delete Anchor Point in the Pen Tool pop-out menu.
- Click the anchor point with the Delete Anchor Point tool to delete the anchor point.
- Click a point on the line with the Add Anchor Point tool to add a new anchor point.
Method 2 of 2: Using the Curvature Pen Tool
Step 1. Open the Photoshop project
If you haven't already, double-click the project where you want to draw a curved line to open it.
Step 2. Click and hold the Pen Tool
It's in the toolbar on the left. This step brings up a pop-out menu next to the Pen Tool icon.
Step 3. Click the Curvature Pen tool
It's in the Pen Tool submenu of the toolbar on the left.
The Curvature Pen tool is not available in Photoshop Elements or earlier versions of Photoshop
Step 4. Click the first point of the line
This step creates the first anchor point.
Step 5. Click the second point
This step will create a straight line between the first anchor point and the second anchor point.
Step 6. Click the third point
Thus, you create a line that curves through the three anchor points.
The Curvature Pen tool lets you draw simple curves by clicking on various points in succession
Step 7. Add more dots
You can continue adding points by clicking on them at various places on the canvas. The line will automatically curve according to the point made.
Step 8. Click the starting point of the anchor
This step completes the curve shape.
- Click the line to create additional anchor points.
- Click and drag the anchor points to adjust the shape of the curve.
- Click the anchor point and press Delete to remove it.
