Photoshop Pen Tools & Vector Paths
This week we cover vector paths, the path palette, and the pen tool. One excellent downloadable PDF file along with Basic pen tool and Vector object tutorials, creating Shape Layers, Shortcuts And Pointers For The Pen -- including TTU.edu and USC.edu. There's also a downloadable PDF tutorial and a field trip to Portfolios dot com to view Photoshop works., among others.
You are encouraged to add yours... and share the adventure! Use this handy submission form.
- Taters (MyJanee)
I couldn't find a very good tutorial with my advanced search so I looked at a past site that someone reported on. It was pretty good and introduced a lot of things that I have never used before such as patching and using the healing brush. I feel that the image used to show the examples could have been better chosen to demonstrate the drastic changes that you can make. I also wish it would have had more of the "finger dance" commands. Overall it had good information. Posted on 2/23/2004 - Hotoshop Basics Tutorial: The pen tool
This is a short tutorial to really talk about the seven different pen tools available in PhotoShop. He reassures the reader that the pen tool isn't scary, it just takes practice to get the hang of its uses. There are a couple of examples on what one can do with the pen tool to prepare themselves for more complex practices of this tool. The differences in paths and anchors are also given definitions to get anyone started on what the pen tool does. Posted on 2/23/2004 - Vector Tutorial
This is a very detailed vector tutorial, which is meant to be at a beginner's level, but it is actually pretty complicated. Throughout the tutorial you learn to use a photo as a template and create a vector image using paths and the pen tool. It also gives a brief summary about vector images vs raster. It is also available in PDF which is cool, because it is a pretty long tutorial. Posted on 2/23/2004 - Clipping Paths In Photoshop
This tutorial teaches you how to use vetor paths so you can allow parts of an image to show through to the background by cutting them out. Then you can change that background however you wish and the image on top will always stay untouched. You must use the pen tool to cut out the image you want, and then its very easy to paste it onto different backdrops. Posted on 2/23/2004 - Photoshop 7.0 Pen Tool
This site is a tutorial on the pen tool. It is basic with its step by step directions and as it says, "it leaves you in total control." The tutorial explains the anchor and middle point anchors to achieve wanted curves, and how to set radius, if needed. It tells and shows were things are found in the menus as well and on the keyboard. Making it the easiest way to make selections for curves and complex edges. Posted on 2/23/2004 - Photoshop 7 Paths (TTU.edu)
This tutorial is a very comprehensive tutorial on the Photoshop 7 Paths tool. The tutorial contains 9 different sections dealing with the different aspects and functions of the Path Tool. Also, there are figures that show the reader how it is supposed to look when using the tool, and helps as a guide for the reader, should they wish to create a certain shape using this tool. Posted on 2/23/2004 - Pen Tool with Shape Layers
Select the Pen Tool with the "P" key on the keyboard. Make a shape by clicking and drawing lines with the mouse. The process creates a vector color filled shape. The anchor points define and create the shape. As long as you have anchor points you can edit the shape. Use the ConvertAanchor Point Tool to change the curvature of any corners. Use the Direct Select Tool to change the shape of the object further by clicking adn dragging. Now you have a shape that can be edited at any point. This tool is very helpful in creating your own shapes. Posted on 2/23/2004 - Web Design Helper: Basic Pen Tool
This site gives a very basic tutorial on the pen tool and all of its other tools in the drop down menu including the add, delete and convert anchor point tools. It also gives tips on using the keyboard shortcuts to make your pen tool use quicker and more efficient. Posted on 2/23/2004 - Adobe Photoshop: Pen tool, Shape layers
This site gives basic instruction to the pen tool. In a series of 12 steps it explains the anchor points and handles. This is a very helpful tutorial and basic intro to the pen and shape tool. Posted on 2/23/2004 - Mastering the Pen Tool in Photoshop (PDF)
This website gives some quick tips on how to use the pen tool in Photoshop. It also explains how there are three different tools that you can use for selecting your object. The freeform pen tool allows an artist to make rough outlines around your image, which will ultimately need more work to perfect. There is also the magnetic pen tool that works like the magnetic lasso, in that it clings to the edges on an object where there is the most contrast. This method is much more effective than the rough freeform pen tool, however to create the most accurate pen path is simply the pen tool. This allows an artist to place anchor points for their convenience. The site then continues to tell how to actually select your object using the pen tool and it even shows examples through illustrations of how it works. (Downloadable PDF File) Posted on 2/23/2004 - Pen tool (USC.edu)
This website gives a brief overview of the pen tool and all of its different functions.The tool is used for drawing paths. it has options for adding and deleting points, creating curved paths, and more. The basic function is to lay down anchor points which will be joined by straight lines. There is a freehand option that lets you draw and create a path as you go. When you create an anchor, you can make "handlebars" and change the shape of the curve. Posted on 2/23/2004 - Al Mackey's Photoshop Tutorial
This tutorial teaches you how to use the pen tool to ink a drawing. With the pen tool active, you click on one of the three icons for making paths up in the options bar. Clicking and dragging to set the directionof the lines. The direct selector tool is then used to adjust the path of lines. Once it's adjusted correctly. The Stroke path inks along the created path. Once this is done, the path can be deleted. A tip is added at the end: smaller lines are better off being handdrawn. Posted on 2/23/2004 - Shortcuts And Pointers For The Pen
This was an excellent site for explaining the pen tool. Every step that they talked about they gave a visual of. It is clearly separated into easy to understand tips on how to use the pen tool. This site seems to go above and beyond what a typical tutorial does. It gives visual examples of when it would be best to use the pen tool and even little hints like pulling the pen tool off the main palette to have its own floating palette. Posted on 2/23/2004
Field Trip
- Field Trip: Remygirl Photography's portfolio
This site has some incredible work but also some really bad stuff too. It seems like a helpful way to get your portfolio seen. I am drawn to the images that you wouldn't first realize are altered by a program like photoshop- photographs that have been enhanced but not noticably so. I enjoyed Remygirl Photography's portfolio. Posted on 2/23/2004
Return to the Tutorials Index
Photoshop Department, or the Design Center Index
Participate in your Design Center
Lots of fun and information for all... don't forget, any community is only as good as the participation of its members. We invite your tips, tricks, comments, suggestions and camaraderie.- Ask for the DT&G Monthly: to receive DT&G newsletter each month, happenings in the Design Center and regular columns like the "Mail Bag" and "Cool Sites"
- SUBSCRIBE : to the Designers' CAFE email list
- Link to this site, and then show us the link. We'll send you any of our current door prizes, just for your trouble.
- SUBSCRIBE: to the Web Design & Review email list
- READ Our Writer's Guidelines: before sending articles
- SUBMIT: a news link, new font, or product review
- SUBMIT: a link to a Photoshop web site
Advertise your products or services among these pages! Call: 540-433-8402 for details.
