Add Anchor Point Tool in Photoshop Explained

The Add Anchor Point Tool in Adobe Photoshop is an essential vector editing feature designed to give designers precise control over paths, shapes, and selections. This guide outlines the core purpose of the tool, how it functions within the Pen tool ecosystem, and how to use it effectively to manipulate and refine vector graphics in your projects.

What Is the Add Anchor Point Tool?

The Add Anchor Point Tool is a specialized component of Photoshop's Pen tool suite. Its sole function is to insert new anchor points along an existing vector path or shape contour. In vector graphics, paths are made of line segments connected by anchor points. Adding points introduces new pivot locations, allowing you to reshape, bend, and detail an outline without having to redraw it from scratch.

Key Functions and Capabilities

  • Increasing Path Complexity: When an existing shape lacks the geometry needed for a specific detail, clicking on the path with this tool creates a new node that can be moved or transformed independently.
  • Creating Curves: By default, adding an anchor point with this tool generates direction handles (Bezier handles). These handles let you manipulate the curve and curvature of the adjacent path segments.
  • Refining Vector Masks: When clipping subjects using vector masks, the Add Anchor Point Tool allows you to adapt the boundary around intricate edges, such as corners, folds, or organic contours.

How to Use the Add Anchor Point Tool

  1. Select an existing path or shape layer in the Layers panel so that the path is active and visible.
  2. Click and hold the Pen Tool icon in the Tools panel to open the flyout menu, then select the Add Anchor Point Tool.
  3. Hover over any path segment. The cursor will change to a pen tip with a small plus sign (+).
  4. Click directly on the path segment where you want the new point.
  5. Click and drag immediately upon creation if you want to pull out direction handles to create a smooth curve.
  6. Switch to the Direct Selection Tool (A) to reposition the newly created anchor point or adjust its individual handles.

Automatic Behavior with the Standard Pen Tool

Photoshop includes an "Auto Add/Delete" feature in the standard Pen Tool options bar. When this option is checked, you do not always need to manually switch to the Add Anchor Point Tool. Hovering the standard Pen Tool over an existing, selected path segment will automatically toggle the tool to add an anchor point upon clicking.