How to Draw Lines in Illustrator: 3 Methods + Pro Tips

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Drawing a line in Adobe Illustrator may sound simple, but mastering line tools can dramatically improve your design workflow. Whether you need a precise straight line, a freehand sketch, or a smooth wavy path, Illustrator offers multiple methods to achieve professional results. In this guide, you’ll learn the best ways to draw lines in Illustrator, how to edit stroke properties, and how to create dashed and wavy lines.



What You Will Learn

  • 3 easy ways to draw a line in Adobe Illustrator
  • How to change stroke color and stroke weight
  • How to split a line into segments
  • How to create dashed lines
  • 4 different methods to create wavy lines

Table of Contents

3 Ways to Draw a Line in Adobe Illustrator

Illustrator provides several tools to draw lines, each designed for a workflow. Whether you’re designing logos, icons, or illustrations, these three methods will help you create clean, accurate lines with ease.

1. Line Segment Tool (Best for Straight Lines)

This is the fastest way to create clean straight lines in Illustrator. It is ideal for technical designs, grids, and layouts where precision is required.

  1. Go to File > New and create a new document. Set the artboard size to 1080 x 1920 px, then click Create.
  2. Select the Line Segment Tool from the toolbar or press \.
  3. Click on the artboard and drag to draw the line.
  4. Hold Shift while dragging to keep the line perfectly straight.
  5. Adjust the stroke weight from the Properties panel.

2. Pen Tool (Best for Curves)

The Pen Tool is the most powerful option for drawing lines with precision. It allows you to create both straight and curved paths, making it essential for professional vector design.

  1. Select the Pen Tool or press P.
  2. Click once to create the first anchor point.
  3. Hold Shift and click another point to draw a straight line.
  4. To create a curve, click and drag the next anchor point.
  5. Adjust stroke color, weight, and style in the Properties panel.

3. Pencil Tool (Best for Freehand Lines)

The Pencil Tool is perfect for freehand drawing and sketching. It’s ideal for creating organic lines with natural flow, especially for illustrations and concept art.

  1. Select the Pencil Tool or press N.
  2. Click and drag on the artboard to draw freely.
  3. Hold Shift to constrain the path into a straight line.
  4. Assign a stroke color if the line is not visible.
  5. Increase the stroke weight if the line appears too thin.

How to Edit Stroke Color, Weight & Style

Adjusting stroke color and weight is essential for making your line stand out. The Properties panel lets you customize stroke thickness, color, and corner styles in just a few clicks.

  1. Select the line you want to edit.
  2. Open the Properties panel.
  3. Change the stroke color and adjust the stroke weight.
  4. Set line caps and corners as needed.

How to Split and Edit Lines in Illustrator

Splitting a line allows you to edit specific sections of a path. The Scissors Tool makes it easy to cut a line into parts for editing or deleting sections.

  1. Select the line you want to split.
  2. Choose the Scissors Tool or press C.
  3. Click on any point along the line to split it.
  4. Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to move or delete segments.

How to Create Dashed Lines in Adobe Illustrator

Dashed lines are useful for creating borders, patterns, and design accents. Illustrator’s Stroke panel lets you control dash length and spacing for a custom look.

  1. Draw a straight line using any method.
  2. Go to Window > Stroke.
  3. Enable Dashed Line.
  4. Adjust dash and gap values until you achieve your desired style.

How to Create Wavy Lines in Illustrator (4 Methods)

Wavy lines add movement and personality to your designs. Illustrator offers several methods for creating smooth waves, so you can choose the one that best fits your project.

Wavy Line Method 1: Zig Zag Effect

  1. Draw a straight line.
  2. Go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Zig Zag.
  3. Enable Preview and adjust size and ridges per segment.
  4. Select Smooth for a softer wave.

Wavy Line Method 2: Envelope Distort

  1. Draw or duplicate multiple lines.
  2. Select all lines and go to Object > Envelope Distort > Make with Mesh.
  3. Use the Direct Selection Tool to move mesh points and create wave shapes.

Wavy Line Method 3: Curvature Tool

  1. Draw a straight line.
  2. Select the Curvature Tool.
  3. Click and drag along the line to add smooth curves.

Wavy Line Method 4: Pen Tool

  1. Draw a straight line.
  2. Add anchor points using the Add Anchor Point Tool.
  3. Drag anchor points using the Anchor Point Tool to create wave shapes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I draw a straight line in Adobe Illustrator?

Use the Line Segment Tool and hold Shift while dragging to keep the line perfectly straight.

Which tool is best for curved lines?

The Pen Tool and Curvature Tool are best for creating smooth, accurate curved lines.

How do I make a line thicker in Illustrator?

Select the line and increase the stroke weight from the Properties panel.

Conclusion

Knowing how to draw and edit lines in Adobe Illustrator is essential for any designer. Whether you’re working on logos, illustrations, or UI design, these techniques will help you create clean, professional lines quickly and efficiently. Practice these methods and you’ll be able to build complex shapes and designs with ease.