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To draw in Illustrator, choose the tool that matches the shape: use Line Segment for a straight path, Arc for a curved segment, Spiral for a spiral, Rectangular Grid for rows and columns, or Polar Grid for rings and spokes. Drag on the artboard to draw, or click to open a tool-options dialog when you need specific dimensions or divider settings.

Choose the right Illustrator line tool

What you need Tool What it creates
One straight stroke or divider Line Segment A single straight path
One curved segment Arc An arc-shaped path
A continuous spiral Spiral A spiral path
Rows and columns Rectangular Grid A grid with horizontal and vertical dividers
Rings and spokes Polar Grid A grid with concentric and radial dividers

These tools make individual paths or grid geometry. Use the Pen tool when you need a connected path with custom anchor points, or the Pencil tool for freehand drawing; neither is a substitute for the specific grid controls described below.

Find the tools in Illustrator

Adobe’s toolbar overview says the default toolbar appears on the left when a document opens. Some tools may be hidden beneath other icons: press and hold a tool icon to reveal its grouped tools, or choose Edit Toolbar to see the full list. The Line Segment tool’s documented keyboard shortcut is the backslash key (). Adobe’s overview was updated June 15, 2026: Learn about Illustrator tools.

Adobe’s instructions span multiple interface versions and update dates. If a label or dialog differs in your installation, use the controls displayed by your version rather than assuming every dialog appears in the same place. The tool-specific option names below are those Adobe documents.

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Draw a straight line with Line Segment

Select the Line Segment tool, then drag across the artboard in the direction you want the path to run. The drag sets its endpoints and direction. Adobe’s desktop guide also documents a precision workflow in which you select a start point, enter a length and angle in the Line Segment Tool Options dialog, and confirm. That guide includes a Fill Line checkbox; use the options available in your installed version.

  1. Select the Line Segment tool from the toolbar, or press backslash.
  2. Drag on the artboard to set the line’s direction and endpoints. For a specified length and angle, use the tool-options dialog if it is available in your version.
  3. With the resulting path selected, adjust its stroke and other appearance settings as needed.

Adobe’s desktop instructions were updated October 30, 2025: Draw lines in Illustrator. Adobe’s separate Line Segment page reports an August 12, 2026 update for its Australia-region result: Draw straight paths using the Line Segment tool.

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Make a curved line with Arc

Choose Arc for one curved path rather than a straight segment. Drag to draw, or click to open the Arc Segment Tools Options dialog and set the geometry. Adobe lists controls for X- and Y-axis lengths, open or closed path type, base direction along the X or Y axis, slope, and whether to fill the arc.

Arc options that change the path

  • X- and Y-axis lengths: Set the arc’s dimensions along those axes.
  • Open or closed: Choose whether the path remains an open arc or forms a closed path.
  • Base direction: Choose whether the base follows the X or Y axis.
  • Slope: Adobe’s documented interface produces a straight line at zero; positive and negative values shape opposite convex or concave directions.
  • Fill: Choose whether the arc is filled.

The precise appearance depends on the options and version-specific interface. Adobe’s Arc guide, updated July 17, 2024, documents the tool and its options: Create curved paths using the Arc tool.

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Create a spiral with Spiral

Select Spiral, then drag on the artboard to create a spiral path. To enter settings directly, click on the artboard to open the Spiral dialog. Adobe documents four controls: Radius, Decay, Segments, and Style. Set those values to define the spiral rather than relying on a drag when you need particular geometry.

Adobe’s Spiral guide was updated July 17, 2024: Create spiral paths using the Spiral tool.

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Create a rectangular grid for rows and columns

Use Rectangular Grid when you need a rectangular layout divided into rows and columns. Drag to draw a grid quickly, or click to set dimensions and divider options in the tool dialog.

  • Width and height: Set the grid’s overall dimensions.
  • Horizontal and vertical dividers: Choose the number of divisions in each direction.
  • Skew: Weight divider placement toward one side.
  • Use Outside Rectangle as Frame: Make the outer rectangle a separate frame.
  • Fill Grid: Set whether the grid is filled.

Adobe’s grid guide, updated December 12, 2023, covers these controls: Draw rectangular and polar grids in Illustrator.

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Create a polar grid for rings and spokes

Use Polar Grid for circular divisions such as a radial diagram. Drag to create the grid, or click to establish a reference point and open its options. The tool creates concentric and radial dividers; it does not automatically turn them into a finished chart.

  • Overall size: Set the grid’s dimensions.
  • Concentric dividers and skew: Set the number of rings and how their distribution is weighted.
  • Radial dividers and skew: Set the number of spokes and how their distribution is weighted.
  • Create Compound Path From Ellipses: Control whether the ellipses are made into a compound path.
  • Fill Grid: Set whether the grid is filled.

For a practical comparison, the rectangular grid divides an area along horizontal and vertical directions, while the polar grid divides it into rings and spokes. Both provide divider counts and skew controls; their construction options differ, with the rectangular grid offering an outside-frame option and the polar grid offering a compound-path option for ellipses.

Adjust the appearance of the resulting path

After drawing, select the path or grid and set its stroke and, where applicable, fill using Illustrator’s appearance controls. A line is a path, so its visible weight and color come from its stroke; a tool’s Fill option is a separate choice documented for the geometry it creates. For a grid, choose stroke and fill based on how you intend to use its dividers and enclosed areas. The tools create the geometry, not a finished layout or chart.

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