Pen & Paths 7

Other Options In Brief
The following brief notes will form the basis for more information about the 'Pen Tool' and 'Paths':

Transforming and Moving the Path
To change the shape of the path by 'Transforming it', use the set of 'Transform' options in the usual way by access them via Edit > Transform. You'll notice that this will show as 'Transform Path' - you see - the program knows what you're doing!

If you have created two 'Paths' as the 'Workpath', say an inner and an outer circle and you wish to move them both together, use the 'Transform' to enable the 'composite Path' to be relocated. Note: You can only move both together if the 'Path' is non-editable - that is with no 'Anchor Points' showing, so click outside the 'Path' area with the 'Path Selection' Tool' to 'switch off' the points.

Stroking the 'Path' with a 'Brush'
The 'Path' can be 'Stroked' by any Tool that performs as a 'Brush' - that is to say the following can be considered:
Brush Tool
Pencil Tool
Clone Stamp Tool
Pattern Stamp Tool
History Brush Tool
Art History BrushTool

The 'Diameter', 'Hardness', 'Opacity' and 'Blend' by the usual route.

Set the parameters for the chosen Tool, then click on the 'Stroke Path with Brush' icon at the base of the Paths Palette (second from left). See 'screen grab' below:

Above 'Stroking the Path' with a 'Brush' - 'soft edge' - reduced 'Hardness' setting

Above: 'Stroking the Path' with a 'Brush' - 'Fuzzball' shape

Above: 'Stroking the Path' with a 'Brush' - 'Grass' shape

Above: 'Stroking the Path' with the 'Clone Stamp Tool'

Above: 'Stroking the Path' with the 'Pattern Stamp Tool'

Above 'Filling' the 'Path' with a colour

Type text on a 'Path'
Select the 'Type Tool' and carefully position the cursor directly on the 'Path'. When the cursor displays a short wavy line, you're 'on the Path' and you can begin typing. If you see only a short straight line on the cursor, then you're 'off the Path' and if you type, the text will be a normal straight-line text layer. Typing text on the 'Path' will follow the shape of the 'path'. Be aware of probable strange occurrences to the text at corners and along the base. Further edits and changes to shape the 'Path' will cause the 'Type' to follow the new contours. See example below:

'Custom Shape Tool' - A Note
When you choose a defined 'Shape' it conforms to a predetermined 'Path'. This 'Path' can be edited and modified with the 'Pen Tool' and the 'Path Tool'.

The Pen Tool Introduction to Making 'Paths' Continued Clive R. Haynes FRPS

Other Options In Brief The following brief notes will form the basis for more information about the 'Pen Tool' and 'Paths':
Transforming and Moving the Path To change the shape of the path by 'Transforming it', use the set of 'Transform' options in the usual way by access them via Edit > Transform. You'll notice that this will show as 'Transform Path' - you see - the program knows what you're doing! If you have created two 'Paths' as the 'Workpath', say an inner and an outer circle and you wish to move them both together, use the 'Transform' to enable the 'composite Path' to be relocated. Note: You can only move both together if the 'Path' is non-editable - that is with no 'Anchor Points' showing, so click outside the 'Path' area with the 'Path Selection' Tool' to 'switch off' the points.
Path as 'Selection' Once the 'Path' has been defined it can be made into a 'Selection' by clicking on the 'Load Path as a Selection' icon (a 'dotted' circle) at the base of the 'Paths' Palette. The 'Path' can now be treated as a 'normal Selection'. Conversely, a 'Selection' can be converted to a 'Path' by clicking on the icon at the base of the Paths Palette.

Stroking the 'Path' with a 'Brush' The 'Path' can be 'Stroked' by any Tool that performs as a 'Brush' - that is to say the following can be considered: Brush Tool Pencil Tool Clone Stamp Tool Pattern Stamp Tool History Brush Tool Art History BrushTool The 'Diameter', 'Hardness', 'Opacity' and 'Blend' by the usual route. Set the parameters for the chosen Tool, then click on the 'Stroke Path with Brush' icon at the base of the Paths Palette (second from left). See 'screen grab' below:


Here are some examples which illustrate'Stroking on a Path':

Above 'Stroking the Path' with a 'Brush' - 'soft edge' - reduced 'Hardness' setting


Above: 'Stroking the Path' with a 'Brush' - 'Fuzzball' shape


Above: 'Stroking the Path' with a 'Brush' - 'Grass' shape


Above: 'Stroking the Path' with the 'Clone Stamp Tool'


Above: 'Stroking the Path' with the 'Pattern Stamp Tool'

Fill 'Path' The area defined by the 'Path' can be 'filled' with the Foreground Colour. Click on the 'Fill' icon at the base of the Paths Palette (extreme left)


Above 'Filling' the 'Path' with a colour



Type text on a 'Path' Select the 'Type Tool' and carefully position the cursor directly on the 'Path'. When the cursor displays a short wavy line, you're 'on the Path' and you can begin typing. If you see only a short straight line on the cursor, then you're 'off the Path' and if you type, the text will be a normal straight-line text layer. Typing text on the 'Path' will follow the shape of the 'path'. Be aware of probable strange occurrences to the text at corners and along the base. Further edits and changes to shape the 'Path' will cause the 'Type' to follow the new contours. See example below:



'Custom Shape Tool' - A Note When you choose a defined 'Shape' it conforms to a predetermined 'Path'. This 'Path' can be edited and modified with the 'Pen Tool' and the 'Path Tool'.

What Next? The best thing to do now is to put the above knowledge into practice with a geometric shape. Choose one where there are a few simple problems to overcome. There's an image ready to 'download' if you would like to try it. It's the one shown in the opening picture - that of a 'Magnum 357' revolver. Click on 'Download Image' below to 'download' the picture.

Download Image