Expert: Amy - 4/5/2004

Question
Hi Amy,
I am having problems getting my pencil tool to draw the marks that I am making.  I am creating a bumpy outline (ice cream) and when I stop drawing the program seems to simplify my shape for me (instead of showing what I drew).  IS there a way to get the pencil tool to draw exactly where you guide it.  I attempted to adjust the pencil settings, but no luck so far.  Thanks, I'm really in a bind.

Mark  

Answer
Hi Mark,

You're probably on the right track by adjusting the pencil settings.

Double click on the pencil tool in the Tools window.


Slide Fidelity all the way to the left (.5)
Slide Smoothness all the way to the left (0%)
Turn off "Keep Selected"
Turn off "Edit Selected Path"

This will make the pencil draw exactly what you want.  Keep in mind that the more zoomed in you are, the more accurate your lines will be.  

Also, if you use a tablet, your tablet settings may affect how this tool works.  You can usually make adjustments in your tablet's control panel. Usually it's automatic, but you can turn off stylus pressure sensitivity when using Illustrator, that's probably your best bet.

Good luck,
Amy