Are there some good links for explanations of the pen and path funstions? I really don't know what they are most efective for and how to use them. Thanks

shapes can be used for oher things, like the effect on TV shows or news reports you see in the corner of a tv screen - a see thru logo. - keep textures / pixels out of them, makes things simpler & these vectors will re-size very well. one option (like attached image) is vector shapes.. (some use these for bottons for internet use - to prepare an image for a "rollover" - change the layer blending otpions or turn on/off layer blending effects you make to a shape.[then go into image ready]

Message edited on: 06/18/2004 23:46

next example is the clipping path. a path (not vector shape) on it's own, you save it, and make it a clipping path. often used for " deep etching " this means you don't have to erase stuff to make it transparent. when you have to take it to a page lay-out program like Quark Xpress, InDesign, or even page maker. options like running text around an irregular shape, and have an object on any colour baground are some of the advatages (save as tiff [or if you dare eps] ) the example impersonates the effect of the path cutting out the un-wanted image.

you can also make a single line path and , while the path is selected , make a specific brush you have selected - follow the path - and simulate pen/pressure.

I'm sure there are other ways to use them. no links on my behalf.

Message edited on: 06/19/2004 00:08

oh yeah, you can use path's to selct objects - people have been known to utilize quick mask and save the selecion, in most circiumstances the selections are feathered , blured and had extensive work done to them ... if , like the bottle, your selection is relitivly sharp you can opt to use the path base a selection upon.

I also made this little tile with them. for the art people " tessellation "

pen operation, a single click will give you a corner, holding the mouse down and then dragging, will give you a balanced, curve.

in blue we have perhaps an nearly completed shape or curve.
you may have been clicking new points and dragging the handles around and around and end end up wanting to complete the shape - the little mouse will change (it will have a little '0' beside it, click to close the shape.

(my mouse disappears when I take a screen shot so i improvise)
(i often choose to close the path before converting points) (in red) i have also displayed both the before and after of coverting points -when I move move just one of the handles (with the convert option) to get an unbalanced corner where curves meet.

Message edited on: 06/20/2004 00:55