neolite

I'm trying to draw a straight line, then curve it so the left-hand side dips down and the right-hand side curves up.

What is the best way to do this so the line is smooth and not jagged?

Thanks.

Tracy

Open the Paths window. Add a new layer to the image. Add a new path to the paths palette. Draw an ellipse with the ellipse shape tool. Delete 1 or 2 points. Choose the Direct selection tool and click at the end of the line, shape it as you will , shape the other end (click and drag the point handles). Select your paintbrush and your paintbrush settings, for a single line 1 Pixel and black for starters. Stroke the path from the path tool dialog. Delete the path and your curved line will appear on the new layer.

Now I have tried this with the line tool and converting points but it always seems to leave me with the line as well. I can fix it by dragging the path anchor points around but find it much easier to simply make an ellipse and delete anchor points.

neolite

You said to draw an ellipse on a new layer - done.

Next: delete 1 or 2 points. Points from what? [stuned] I only have an ellipse on my screen.

mmagikman

I'm going to jump in here and help push this along.

This is a little different than Tracy's method, same result.

In the tool bar select & hold the curser on the pen tool.
On the fly out menu select the Delete Anchor Point Tool (the pen with the -).
On your drawing, click on the edge of your elipse (you should see 4 anchor points appear, 4 small squares around the edge).
Click on one of the squares/anchor points and it will be deleted.


Another thought would be to read the section on the pen tool in your User Guide.

Bacardi

1/ Take the pen tool.
2/ Click somewhere in your doc. You will see a square point. This is one end of your line.
3/ Click where you want the end of your line. You get a line between the two points.
4/ Now, under the same Pentools (click the small triangle near the Pen on your toolbox), choose the pen with a + sign, the Add anchor pen. With this, click where you want the curve on the left side to go over in a straight line. Click once again as close as possible to this. You created two points. Do the same on the other side.
5/ Now, just above the pen you have two arrows hidden (little triangle). Choose the Direct Selection Tool.
6/ Simply drag the outer points left and right (the first ones you created) to where you want then.
6/ Stroke with a soft brush to avoid jaggies if you don't want them on your monitor.

mmagikman

Eric, that's how I would have done it.

Shame on you for hijacking this thread [bustagut]

Hopefully neolite will be on his way.

Bacardi

Time to show that my real name is John Nasty [:I

You make me feel guilty!
Just can't help it that I have a bright moment, can I?

neolite

Break it up people...break it up! All your ideas were great. Being a newbie :B things just aren't as obvious to me.......yet.

Thats the one thing that I've notices about PS that can be a bit frustrating. There are 12 different approaches to doing the same task.

Thanks again everyone.

Bacardi

That's what makes Photoshop so fascinating. It can be much to many people, and slowly everyone develops a workflow. That's why it's so fascinating to be reminded of the other ways when reading methods used by others...

Welles

Another way to use the pen tool. Select the pen tool from the tools palette and make sure it is set to draw a path in the tool bar (the two green circles). To make it easy to see where to place your anchor points use View > Show > Grid.

To make the line (A)

1. Click once to establish the first anchor point.
2. Move your cursor (shaped like a pen) to the next place you want to create a point. Click + keep holding the mouse button down + hold down the Shift key + drag the pen to the right until the curve looks good then let up on the mouse key.
3. Keep holding the shift key down and move your pen cursor to the 'end' of the straight section. Click, hold, and drag your cursor to the right again the same amount that you dragged #2. Let up on the mouse and Shift keys.
4. Move your pen tool to a place to finish the second curve and click once.

You now have a working path. To stroke the working path, (B) choose your color, select the brush tool in the tools palette, find the Paths Palette (Window > Paths) and at the bottom of the Paths palette is a series of tools. If you hold your cursor over them you will see tool tips which will announce that the second from the left will stroke the path.

Good Luck!