The Pen Tool draws both straight line segments and Bezier curves. Click once to place an anchor point for the beginning of a straight line segment, then click to place the anchor point for the end of the line segment. Place another anchor point to continue the line segments. If you click an anchor point on top of the first, the shape will be closed and a fill can be applied.

Line segments can be constrained to any angle set up in Page Options. For example, if your Angle Constraint setting is set to 15 degrees, the line will constrain to 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 (etc.) degrees.

Bezier Curves take a bit of practice and patience. The first click, as with the straight line segment, places the first anchor point for a curve. The second anchor point determines the curve of the line. When you click the second anchor point a small red outlined box appears.  Drag in the opposite direction that you want the curve to go. You can drag any angle and any amount and the curve will change in real time until you release the mouse button.

Place your next anchor point and again drag in the opposite direction and angle. You have to visualize the shape you're drawing and anticipate where the next anchor point needs to be placed.

Editing Lines. With a line selected, select the Shape Editor Tool to edit the line. Click at any point along a line or curve to add a new control point. Drag on the line and the line becomes a curve and can be shaped like a rubber band as shown on the left.

Infobar Settings. Make Curve (a ) is unnecessary as you can merely drag on a line to change it into a curve. Selecting two or more points with the Shape Editor Tool and pressing Make Line (b) does just that. Smooth Join (c) is the opposite of Cusp Join (d). Smooth makes a smooth continuation whereas Cusp creates a sharp angle. Selecting a point and pressing Break at Points (e) breaks the line or curve into two sections. Delete Points (f) deletes a selected point or points.

Tool Review Continued on the Next Page