![]() You may have noticed, while you were experimenting with curves, that when you create one curved line segment, the line segment that follows it will be curved too. They are "smooth points" (as in the example on the left) and "corner points" (as in the example on the right.) There are two kinds of anchor points in Photoshop CS6. To understand combo paths, we have to take a closer look at our anchor points. Creating Combo PathsĪ combo path is, quite simply, a path that has both straight and curved lines, or even curved lines that run opposite each other. To add an anchor point, select the tool and click anywhere on a path to add an anchor point. They are "Add Anchor Point Tool," "Delete Anchor Point Tool," and "Convert Point Tool." To delete an anchor point, select the tool, and simply click on an anchor point. Now, look at the last three items on the list. The Freeform pen tool allows you to draw paths without anchor points, pretty much the same way you'd draw a picture. Go to the Pen button on the toolbar and click and hold it to view the dropdown menu. Let's take a look at some of the other tools associated with the Pen tool. To do that, double click on the name and enter a new one in the box that opens. Whenever you create a path, it automatically appears here with the name "Work Path." Work Path in this case actually means "temporary." The way to make the path permanent is to rename it. If the Paths Panel is not visible, you can click Window > Paths.Īs you can see, the Paths Panel is arranged very much like the Layers Panel. When you close a path and it becomes a shape, the lines vanish. And remember, that these lines are not actually part of the path. Click a handle and drag it around and note how different positions and different line lengths affect the curve. You can use the arrow (or selection tool) to click on and drag those handles to different locations.īefore we go on, take a minute to experiment with this feature since it's much easier to understand if you see it in action. ![]() So now what is that other line and what do those circles at the end of it mean? That line is how Photoshop controls the length and slope of the curve and those circles are the handles. In this example, you can see our starting point (indicated by the empty anchor point on the left) and our ending point (the black box.) Now reposition the pointer and instead of just clicking quickly to create an ending point, click and hold the left mouse button and drag the mouse. Click an area to create your starting point. Let's make another path, this time we'll curve it. What makes the Pen tool even more useful, is that you are not constricted by a pre-existing shape, such as a circle or a rectangle. In fact, when you use something like the rectangular tool, you're just creating a series of paths. You can apply a stroke, fill it, convert it into a selection, etc. We have now made a square that can be manipulated just like any other shape in Photoshop CS6. Now, we can add anchor points until we get back to the starting point and make a shape just like in the next example. Photoshop automatically creates those two points. Now we click again in a different location to create another point. In the snapshot above, we clicked once using the Pen tool to create a point. You simply click to create anchor points. Unlike the pencil tool, you do not actually "draw" paths with the pen tool. Select the Pen tool and position it anywhere on your document. Let's draw a simple path so we can see one for ourselves, and discuss its attributes. A circle is an example of a closed path because the endpoints are connected. An anchor point is a point where you can modify the segment. ![]() The start and end point of a segment is called an anchor point. One path is made up of one or more curved or straight lines known as segments. Whenever you draw an object using the Pen tool, you create paths.
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