Hi again :)

I teach video and editing basics...
I am in the process right now of preparing for my students a short booklet about PP. Going over the Tools Window, I suddenly realized I'm not sure what to write about the Pen Tool.

I don't think I've ever used it. It seems to me the regular Selection Tool can do everything that it does. I went over the help files and could not find any mention of a unique feature for this tool.

Is there something that this tool can do that the selection tool can't?
Is there someone that uses this tool, and what for/why?

Much appreciated.
Jon.

Interesting question!

I've also had a quick fiddle (with Premiere) and came to the same conclusion as you.

the only possible thing I can think of, which I haven't tested, is maybe if you want to put a bezier curve in a sound or opacity rubber band. (although I can't imagine that anyone would actually tell much difference between a curve or a straigt line?)

Bezier Curves are actually quite usefull IMO, but the selection tool can create and manipulate them just as well.

Don't want to be a nag, but does anyone have an answer?
I'd hate to tell my student that this tool is redundant only to find out later it has some use I wasn't aware of....

thanks again.

You could always tell your students that you've never used it, and can't find a use for it, and you'd be mighty impressed if they discovered a use for it?

Teachers don't have to know everything. Consultants at £1500 per hour need to know everything. :-)

The pen tool allows you to add new markers to the timeline. You don't need to go into the effects tab to add more points to it.

Thanks Mitchell, but the Selection Tool can do that as well, with ctr + left click.
Also Ctr + click on an existing keyframe will add bezier handles, just like the pen tool.

I will embrace Chris' philosophy on this one for now, I think you are absolutely right :)

Still, If anyone has a more conclusive answer, I'd still love to hear.
(I guess I'll also try to get a conclusion from Adobe as well).

Thanks.

Jon, the Pen Tool is a tool i almost never use. However, if i have a Timeline and need to do a lot adjustments to audio/video keyframes i use the Pen Tool since i dont need to press the Ctrl key all the time that i am forced to do if i use the Selection Tool.

- Few audio/video keyframe adjustments = Selection Tool + Ctrl clicking
- Many audio/video keyframe adjustments = Pen Tool

The pen tool is handy in the Audio Track, in where you can add points by "Ctrl and left Clicking" onto the red line to adjust levels..
You can also add beziers by control clicking the nodes...

I think i made a post to this a while back..Will look for it.