Usage of PS pen tool

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First, we will briefly introduce the concepts of PEN tools and paths. The pen tool is a vector plotting tool. Its advantage is that it can plot a smooth curve and maintain a smooth effect after scaling or deformation. The vector image drawn by the pen tool is called a path, and the path is a vector path that is allowed to be non-closed and open. If you overlap the start and end points, you can get a closed path? Now let's draw a simple path For example, in the toolbar, select the pen tool (shortcut key p) And keep the pen tool option (above the toolbar): select the second drawing method (simple path), and cancel the rubber belt Function Click the pen on the screen, and you will see a wired block connection between the hitting points. Hold down the Shift key to keep the drawn point and the previous point at an integer angle of 45 degrees (such as zero or 90 degrees) In this way, horizontal or vertical line segments can be drawn (the Shift key is pressed from the first point in the figure) From the above simple exercises, we can draw two rules: We do not directly draw a line segment, but define the position of each point. The software forms a link between points. It is not the line segment itself that controls the line segment form (Direction, distance), but the position of each point in the line segment. Remember two terms: Those points are called anchor) A line segment between an anchor is called a segment) The anchor points we just drew are also called linear anchor because the line segments between them are straight lines. Now let's draw a curve-shaped anchor. We can see that when the second and later anchor is drawn and the Direction Line is dragged, the shape of the curve also changes. How is the curve generated, and how can we control the shape of the curve? In addition to the direction and distance of a straight line, the curve has a bending degree, The direction and distance can be achieved by changing the position of the anchor. But how can we control the bending degree? Select "select tool directly" in the toolbar. Note the hollow Arrow below. Assume that the four anchors we have just drawn are ABCD. Use the "Direct selection tool" to obtain the part located between AB. We can see the direction line we defined when drawing the AB anchor. Take a closer look at the two directions. Imagine: When a person starts from A.M. To a.m., other people at a.m. will see that he is going in the upper-right direction. The person at point B is directed to the bottom right. Then, we can combine the observations in two locations. We can get the route of this person walking: it must be an arc shape similar to the lid Now we select the "conversion point tool", which is used to modify the direction line. Then, change the direction line of the AB anchor point as shown in, and the Curve Curvature will change. Note that there is a small dot at the end of the Direction Line. This dot is called the "handle". You need to click the handle position to change the direction line. In combination with the metaphor just made, it is not difficult to understand: Modify the Direction Line of the B anchor to the bottom, which is equivalent to specifying that the person starts from the top of the point and enters from the bottom of the B point. Then the distance is an S-shaped line. Modify the Direction Line of the anchor to the bottom line, which is equivalent to starting from the bottom of the point and entering from the bottom of the B point. The path is a arc path. The modified direction line is as follows: After understanding the influence of the direction of the Direction Line on the curve form, let's take a look at the impact of the direction line length. In general, drag the direction line in the same direction: (you can use the "Direct selection tool ") For an anchor, if the direction line is longer, the longer the curve goes in this direction, and the shorter the curve goes. It can be imagined that the curve is a rubber band, and two forces at both ends of the head and tail are pulled in their respective directions. In which direction the force is greater, the rubber band will move closer to this direction. On the contrary In addition to modifying the anchor, you can also use the Direct selection tool to modify the curve form on the fragment. For example: Note: This cannot be said to be "modified fragments", but it should be said to be "modified two anchor points at the same time" Keep in mind the principles: Make a summary: There are two direction lines for both the starting point and the ending point BC on this curve: One is the line from the top anchor to the next anchor. The other is the direction line from the next anchor to the next anchor. For the start point, there is only a direction line of "direction"; for the end point, there is only a direction line of "direction" Let's have a small exercise, Now we need to draw a curve close to the outer frame of the mouse between two red points. It is very likely that you have drawn something like this. Although the requirement is met, four anchors are used in this path. Let's look at it again: For the same curve effect, we only use two anchor points to draw it. Move the two red dots and draw them again. It is very likely that the effect you have drawn is as follows: In fact, you only need to use two anchor points to draw this curve, as shown in figure To draw a line at another position, you only need two anchor points, for example: Remember one principle: the fewer anchor points the curve has, the better. Because if the number of anchor points increases, not only will the draw step be added, but it is not conducive to subsequent modifications. At this point, we will certainly have two problems: Does the two anchors seem to be able to cover all the curve forms? This is obviously incorrect. For example, the curve drawn by the first instance above requires more than two anchor points. So how can we minimize the number of anchors used? In fact, there is another question hidden here: Where is the best positioning point? The following is my summary: There are two types of curves between two anches: C and S. Several forms of C-shape are as follows: Their Direction Line is as follows: Several forms of S-shaped curves are as follows: The direction of the S-shaped line is as follows: The animation below demonstrates the demarcation point between the C-shape and the S-shape when adjusting the direction line. After understanding (and understanding) the forms of the C and S curves You can analyze the number of anchor points you need before drawing. It is actually an analysis of how many areas can be drawn using a curve (C or S ). Although the number of anchor points can reflect the level and proficiency of the plotting person But for most people, it is enough to satisfy the needs. Therefore, in actual drawing, you do not have to be too demanding to reduce the number of anchor points. Now we can draw an M shape, similar to the logo of McDonald's. We will introduce three processes. Please read the text instructions first and then see the animation demonstration. Method 1: After drawing, modify the direction line of the second anchor and move the anchor position as appropriate. (After drawing, press Ctrl to click any location outside the path to complete the painting) Here we notice a phenomenon: When you create a curve anchor and drag its direction line In fact, as the mouse moves the line "to the direction", the "to the" direction is always 180 degrees horizontal angle with it, and the length is the same Therefore, although we should set the "destination" of the second anchor to the upper right corner However, in order to make the "" correct, you have to first set it to the lower right corner, and then modify its "destination" after the painting is completed" This method can be described as "loss of Warranty" (likewise, it can also be "loss of Warranty ") It is inconvenient to draw a large number of anchor points, because the correct curve is not always displayed. Now we will introduce the second painting process: After creating the second anchor and following the "" to define the direction line, modify the "" direction line so that the curve can be correctly drawn. (After drawing, press Ctrl to click any location outside the path to complete the painting) Although frequent failover tools are a bit difficult, you can always draw a curve along the specified route. (Similarly, you can follow the "direction" and set the direction line, and then modify the "direction ") In fact, after setting the second anchor, you do not need to switch to the tool bar. Move the mouse over the wire direction handle, and press and hold the Alt key to temporarily switch to the "conversion point tool" for adjustment; Press ctrl to temporarily switch to "select tool directly", which can be used to move the position of the anchor. Release the alt or ctrl key to restore the pen tool. You can continue painting. Note that: Although the direct selection tool can also modify the Direction Line, the "direction" and "direction" are sometimes modified together (when both are displayed ). The third method should be the standard method used in future plotting: This method is actually another operation method of the shortcut key mentioned above. It is also used to modify the direction line without switching the tool. Draw the entire curve continuously (After drawing, press Ctrl to click any location outside the path to complete the painting) In the animation, you will see a prompt "after the adjustment is complete, release the mouse and then open the Alt key; otherwise, the line will be broken to the direction" If the Alt key is released first, the "" and "" of the anchor will be restored to the horizontal angle with equal length. This does not matter much. press ALT to adjust it again. Next, let's try to draw a heart shape, such (After drawing, press Ctrl to click any location outside the path to complete the painting) Note: If you do not press the Alt key to connect to the start point, you cannot adjust the Direction Line separately. then press the Alt key to adjust it separately. At this point, we have a rough understanding of the path. Below we will add some other problems in the rendering. Draw a semi-curve anchor: Sometimes we need a curve on the left side of the anchor and a straight line on the right side. We need to use this method to draw the anchor, for example: After the anchor is drawn, press the Alt key to click the anchor. Only "direction" can be changed to a straight line. If "direction" is required to be a straight line, You need to operate on the previous anchor. Even if the anchor is converted to a semi-curve anchor, you can still draw the next anchor, such: Why is there a curve? Remember, assuming that the direction of semi-curve anchor a is a straight line, the direction of B is also a straight line for the next anchor B. However, if the direction of anchor B is a curve, the fragments of AB will still be curved. However, this curve can only be a C-Shape Curve, because it lacks the control of another direction line. You can use a normal curve anchor with a similar shape to compare it. Demonstrate how to convert from "half curve" to "Normal Curve" anchor Demonstrate how to convert from "Normal Curve" to "half curve" anchor In addition to converting the anchor type, you can also increase or decrease the number of anchor in an existing path. For example: You can see that when you select a path, the pen tool that stays above the path can automatically determine whether to increase or decrease the anchor. If you stop at the top of a clip, add an anchor. If you stop at the top of an existing anchor, subtract the anchor. Note: increasing or decreasing the anchor may cause the path pattern change. Since the pen tool itself comes with the addition and subtraction functions, why is there a separate addition of the anchor and minus anchor tool in the toolbar? This is because you may need to add more anchors in the dense area of the anchor. If you use a pen tool, you may mistakenly subtract the existing anchor. For a drawn path, you sometimes need to append the anchor to it (or accidentally terminate the painting in the middle) First, the path should be displayed (you can find and click the path from the path panel) Click the anchor at the end using the pen tool (the cursor prompts when moving to the anchor at the end) In this case, you can continue to draw. See: To connect multiple independent paths, perform the following operations: Note that when you adjust the direction line, you can press and hold the Alt key to adjust one of them separately. There is also a curve drawing technique: To draw a smooth curve, you must keep the horizontal angle between "" and "" at 180 degrees (regardless of the length of the Direction Line) on the anchor) Note that if the angle is changed, the M-like shape may be formed. Now we have learned to use a pen to sketch any path shape. However, in many cases, you do not need to draw a new path from scratch. Photoshop provides some basic path shapes We can modify these basic paths to form the desired shape. This is fast, and the effect is better than that drawn by hand. Images that are frequently used in web design First look at the drawing process at the top of the graph: Select the rectangular shape tool in the toolbar Use the first draw method (create a vector layer filled with foreground views), as shown in figure Note that the style should be closed. Select a color as the fill color, as shown in figure Then draw a rectangle shape in the image, such After painting, pay attention to creating a new color fill layer with a path on the layer panel. You can click the area shown in to hide or display the path, and double-click the Color Block in front of it to change the fill color. Note: If you want to modify the path in this layer, the path must be in the display status If the path display affects the visual effects of some (such as stroke) production, you should first hide the path Because we want to modify this path, we need to first display the path Then, use the Add anchor tool to add four anchor points and move them up. Remember: No matter whether you add an anchor on a straight line or a curve, the added anchor is a curve anchor. If you need a linear anchor, use the "conversion point tool" to click the added anchor. This method is used to create the red area It is also the rectangle just now. Add and modify the steps, for example: The red area above is created using this method. The idea of drawing the hollow image is to draw a large box first, and then subtract a small box in the middle. Note: After the first large box is drawn, you need to change to "subtract from shape area" in tool settings and then draw a small box. When selecting the path for alignment, it is best to use "path selection tool". If you use "select tool directly", you sometimes cannot select the entire path. The process is as follows: Then draw a chart similar to the label card, such: The above methods use the color fill layer with path to make the effect. In addition to color filling, the path can also be used to create adjustment layers (adjustment layers are introduced in other tutorials) The production sequence is as follows: 1 Source image: 2. Use the second method to draw a path) 3. Draw two closed paths in the image. Note that the two paths are in addition mode, that is, select the Add mode after the first one is drawn to draw the second one. 4. On the layer panel, enable "brightness/contrast" in the adjustment layer" 5. Set "brightness/contrast" as follows: 6. Start the stroke style on the new adjustment layer. 7. Set the stroke style as follows: In this way, the production is completed, such: You can also make the animation as an animation (the animation is introduced in another tutorial) Finally, let's make a complicated image, such: This image is originally a complete elliptic and divided into two parts. This effect is easily implemented in illustrator. You only need to draw a curve on the ellipse and then use the split command. It is more complicated in Photoshop (so it is best to make complicated paths in Illustrator) The rendering process is as follows: First, use the elliptical shape tool and select the fill layer drawing method to draw an ellipse, such: Then, hide the path of the layer and switch to the simple path drawing mode. Draw an example path (which can be modified by a rectangle) After the painting is complete, keep the new painting path in the selection state, and press Ctrl C to copy to the clipboard: Next, copy the blue elliptical layer to another color to facilitate the difference. Paste the path copied in the previous step to the path of the two layers at a time, and change its operation relationship with the original path. Note that: The path of the layer must be displayed before modification. It is best to disable unnecessary layers to avoid visual confusion. "Combination" is not a necessary step. After you press the "Combination" button, the two paths are merged into one, but even if you do not merge them, the visual effect is not affected, and it is also conducive to subsequent modification. Therefore, we recommend that you do not use the "Combination" function unless necessary. In the future similar production, you only need to make the yellow part to achieve the visual effect, because the yellow layer Layer layer is higher than the blue part, it will be able to block the blue effect. The process is as follows:   Based on the above content, you can feel the powerful functions of the path in the application. You can use the path to draw a smooth curve, which is very convenient for modification. And most importantly: Its inherent characteristics of vector graphics make it clearer after rotation, stretching, and other operations. The dot matrix image will become blurred. In an experiment, we first scale down a vector dot matrix to 10% at the same time, and then zoom back to the original size. For example: In the actual design process, due to the changing conception, various modifications may be made frequently. For example, scaling, rotation, 5-side scaling, 6-side scaling, and line Scaling If you use a dot matrix image, you can only redraw it in many cases. However, vector graphics can completely avoid these situations. In addition, vector images consume less system resources (in Photoshop) and are not affected by the output resolution. Therefore, in actual design, we should first consider making vector images.