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Posted on 21/06/05 7:40:07 PM |
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Gordon
* Posts: 2 Reply |
Pen Tool
After reading the book I can use most of the tools - exept the pen. Each time I try, on either my pics or the mug in the book, all goes well until some distance after turning a corner. Then the line takes a short cut- ignorng the anchor points and fills in with whatever colour is shown as forecolour Any help would be great. Cheers. Gordon Sorry Just read Carols question and your answer Gordon |
Posted on 21/06/05 8:37:41 PM |
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maiden
Golden Gif Gagster Posts: 471 Reply  |
Re: Pen Tool
Ah that's because you have the Pen Tool set to Shape layers rather than Paths. If you look on the Pen Tool Option Bar (across the top directly underneath the main menu) you will see the first icon is the Pen Tool Presets (a pen nib) after this you have a group of three icons; A square path shape, A square path shape with a pen inside, and a third plain looking square. The first one is the Shape layers toggle which as you draw your path it will automatically fill with the foreground colour, the second icon is the Paths toggle this is the one you want it set to and your path will remain unfilled. Hope that helps. _________________ mad as a badger and twice as furry |
Posted on 23/06/05 06:22:58 AM |
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Atomicfog
Virtual Visualizer Posts: 238 Reply  |
Re: Pen Tool
Man, I just started using the pen tool, and I have been using the program for many years. It isn't necessary, but it is nice to know. I usually use if over the magnetic lasso and regular lasso now, but those work nice. It really does help if you make logos, banners, and stuff like that though. I have no clue how to explain using it, so I hope Maiden covered it. _________________ -Atomic |
Posted on 23/06/05 08:27:30 AM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7047 Reply  |
Re: Pen Tool
As I've said before, on many occasions, the Pen tool is by far the hardest one to come to terms with. Maiden's explanation of Gordon's problem is perfect, but what's needed now is real dedication to learning this one! It's an essential tool, and everyone here does need to get to understand and be comfortable with it. |
Posted on 26/06/05 4:58:36 PM |
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Gordon
* Posts: 2 Reply |
Re: Pen Tool
Thanks a heap Maiden. Yes Iv'e got it working at last. Its been driving me up the wall. Most of the other tools I have managed to get along with. Particularly like your short cuts Steve. A lot of these are not mentioned in other books. No doubt Like the man said "I'll be back. Gordon |
Posted on 27/06/05 3:38:58 PM |
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eventer
*** Posts: 165 Reply  |
Re: Pen Tool
I am SO happy to hear that someone other than myself finds that their pen tool takes on a life of it's own. Point taken....I am going back to the dreaded mug  |
Posted on 28/06/05 03:21:37 AM |
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mj
Guest Reply |
Re: Pen Tool
If you are afraid of the Pen stay away from Illustrator. It is the main tool... If you follow the rules the pen is as easy as falling off a log. It isn't any worse that the brush tool in PS. I am in love with it, the possibilities are endless. MJ _________________ -Never met a PS'er I didn't like- Will Rogers |
Posted on 28/06/05 11:51:15 AM |
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Dezolat0r
*** Posts: 159 Reply  |
Re: Pen Tool
Agreed, MJ. I'd say the Pen is the most satisfying tool to use for some reason. Closely followed by the Vanishing Point filter. |
Posted on 28/06/05 5:17:35 PM |
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eventer
*** Posts: 165 Reply |
Re: Pen Tool
It bulges and balloons out of control Does it make a difference that I am controlling it (or not) with a pen on a pad rather than a mouse? |
Posted on 28/06/05 5:29:23 PM |
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maiden
Golden Gif Gagster Posts: 471 Reply |
Re: Pen Tool
I understand your problem, Eventer. the ballooning and bulging (hey are we back to the Friday Challenge again?) can be annoying especially when you are zoomed in and the bezier handle you are dragging disappears out of the zoom frame and suddenly the window is scrolling like mad - because I've been there and I've shouted at my computer (I hope I'm not alone in this computer-related lunacy). But there is a simple method of gaining control of those ballooning/bulging curves. Make your first anchor point mouse dragging just a small way then select where you want that curve to end and click another anchor point with only a small amount of drag. Okay so you haven't described anywhere near the curvature you wanted but if you move the Pen Tool nib to the centre of that curve and click to add another anchor point you can then using Ctrl+Pen Tool (PC) Cmd+Pen Tool (Mac) to drag this new anchor point to the apex of that curve and then drag the benzier handles of that anchor to fit the curve you intended. Here's an animated example 
This technique can be applied to any curve and not just a uniformed one as in my example. Becky _________________ mad as a badger and twice as furry |
Posted on 28/06/05 5:37:20 PM |
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NW Rain
* Posts: 37 Reply |
Re: Pen Tool
No, Maiden, you certainly are not alone. I love the pen tool, but have to admit it took some extensive practice before I used the term "love". Most of those early terms weren't fit for company. A suggestion for practice with the pen tool is to start with simple objects like a circle, heart, square, star, etc. and set the least amount of anchor points possible for each object. Then progress on to children's color books that are large and simple in their lines. If you practice on these simple shapes the more complex will become easier, with time. It's a tough tool to understand at first, but it is so worthwhile in the long run. |
Posted on 28/06/05 7:11:23 PM |
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Atomicfog
Virtual Visualizer Posts: 238 Reply |
Re: Pen Tool
I know exactly how to use it, and I can do it easily. I still can't say I "love" cutting out objects. It is extremely useful, but I don't love it. For those who can't use the pen tool, just keep trying, you WILL get it. The anchor points are the key to using it. _________________ -Atomic |
Posted on 28/06/05 10:43:25 PM |
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Neal
Master Manipulator Posts: 322 Reply |
Re: Pen Tool
I use the pen tool a lot. The production work I get is to add clipping paths to images. It's a pain. The only trick I can offer is to turn the Rubber Band feature on. This lets you preview the path from the last point to the pen tool. This way your not blindly clicking points and hoping for the best. I use an old version of Photoshop 5.0, in it you double-clicked the Pen Tool to see it's options. The Rubber Band feature is a check box. I don't if the feature is in new versions or if you still find it in the Pen Options pallet. Poke around the program, you'll find it. |
Posted on 29/06/05 08:36:44 AM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7047 Reply |
Re: Pen Tool
Becky, that's a really great demo of the Pen Tool. Thank for sharing it! Neal, the Rubber Band feature is still there, it's hidden beneath an arrow on the Tool Options bar. But Photoshop 5.0? Seriously? Um… ever thought of upgrading to something, you know, a little more contemporary? Eventer, you may find the Pen tool easier to control at first if you use the mouse rather than the tablet. When I first wrote the Interlude on Graphics Tablets I commented that it was impossible to use with the Pen tool! I've since learned how to do it, of course, but I can clearly remember the frustration. So try with the mouse first, I'm sure you'll find it easier! |
Posted on 29/06/05 08:58:18 AM |
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trinityofone
Guest Reply |
Re: Pen Tool
I still use the mouse for paths and selections, I find it easier and I don't use the pen very often at the moment. _________________ It must be Thursday, I never could get the hang of Thursdays |