# @phlearn on YouTube

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://youtube.com/watch?v=VsSjXNOE7NM
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/70334537-phlearn-youtube
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/09312dc74a.jpg
- **Posted:** 2018-01-16T21:00:01.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** PHLEARN (@phlearn) — https://gondola.cc/phlearn

## Caption

Master the Pen Tool in Photoshop in under 8 minutes — the most accurate way to make selections, and the tool of choice for cutting out anything with hard edges. This is a fast, guideline-driven crash course: simple vs. complex curves, the key shortcuts, and a live cutout to practice on.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Why master the Pen Tool
00:52 Five reasons to use the Pen Tool
01:26 Simple vs. complex curves explained
02:14 Continuous curves vs. angles
03:13 Key shortcuts for editing curves
03:56 Practicing on a real cutout

THE STEPS
1. Understand the two curve types: a simple curve has one bend, a complex curve changes direction and needs a point between two simple curves.
2. Click and drag to create curves, or click without dragging for straight-line points.
3. Hold Alt/Option to convert a point between a curve and a corner on the fly.
4. Hold Cmd/Ctrl to reposition any point or curve handle at any time, even after the path is drawn.
5. Trace your subject using this mix of simple and complex curves, favoring accuracy over speed.
6. Turn the finished path into a selection and use it to cut the subject out of its background.

Download the sample image and follow along with this tutorial:
https://phlearn.com/master-pen-tool-8-minutes-yt00-desc

If you're cutting out hair instead of a hard-edged subject, channels work better than the Pen Tool — see our hair cutout tutorial:
https://phlearn.com/tutorial/cut-hair-photoshop/

PHLEARN PRO:
Every technique in this video is just the start. PHLEARN PRO gives you full multi-chapter courses on retouching, compositing, coloring, and visual effects — the deep version of what you just watched.

https://phlearn.com/pro

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What is PHLEARN PRO?

◦ 200+ In-Depth Courses & Masterclasses on Photoshop, Lightroom & Photography
◦ 1,000+ Downloadable PSDs, RAW Images & Project Assets
◦ 4K Streaming, Ad-Free, on Any Device
◦ Cancel Anytime — 100% Money-Back Guarantee

Tap below, join PHLEARN PRO and SAVE 20% with Code PRO26

https://phlearn.com/subscribe/

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Follow us on social!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phlearn/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/phlearn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/phlearn

#Photoshop #PhotoshopTutorial #PenTool

## Stats

- **Views:** 853,774
- **Likes:** 17,660
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 586

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Noel Forest (they/she) | @forest_noel | https://gondola.cc/forest_noel | Video Editor |

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