neolite

Is it just me, or is the pen tool incredibly hard to work with? (Please don't answer if it will hurt my feelings) |

I feel like I'm missing something. With all of the great features Photoshop has to offer - it is nearly impossible to draw a nice wavy line without a PHD. Working with the pen tool is like signing your name while looking in a mirror.

Phewwww....had to vent! Now, back to work.

bigcloud

[bustagut]

Welcome to the world of VECTOR graphics where shapes are created with anchor points connected by lines (called paths). It's a different way of thinking if you're used to making swooshes (hey, I like that word) in Photoshop which is a RASTER based program. Some quick differences:

Raster
- usually scans or photographs - smooth transitions of color
- resolution dependant, DPI (Dots Per Inch)

Vector
- paths, points, and lines
- resolution independant (can resize all you want)

Shapes are created by using paths (open, closed, or compound). Properties can be applied to these paths by using fills, gradients, strokes, etc.

As far as using the Pen Tool in PS.. hmm, I'm probably the worst one to ask since I do pen work in Illustrator. I don't think the terminology is exactly the same. Hopefully this sheds some light on the subject though. B7

ljiljana

neolite

Been there for so long, almost wanted to give up and than those tutorials just light the balb, hope that will help you as well.

http://www.psxtras.com/html/video_tutorials.html
http://www.gurusnetwork.com/tutorial...tro.html<br />
http://photoshopgurus.info/beginners...n-tools5.shtml

austizmo

I love the pen tool! It really isn't terribly hard to work with, you just have to adjust your thinking. The best advice I can give you is to learn the hotkeys and shortcuts that pertain to the pen tool. It will make your work so much easier. I think Lily's links will get you started, but from there try tracing some photographs. Not of people, thats quite tedious, but of random objects. Coke cans, speakers, street signs, etc. Anyway, good luck and have fun.

C9Mouse

(this is the same response I wrote to you in another thread, where you asked basically the same question .....)

Hi Neo,

I found this great web site where you can download PDF practice templates for drawing with the Pen Tool. You can open these in Photoshop and use them to practice drawing curves and such.

Check them out here (at the bottom of the page): http://www.sketchpad.net/drawing8.htm

They are organized into the different drawing programs, but you can check out the ones under "Photoshop 5" - these will work for any version of Photoshop you have, since they are merely templates that you practice "tracing" over with the Pen Tool.

These are really helpful, Neo. I have all of these and I use them a lot to keep my own "pen-drawing" skills up to date.

C9Mouse

Here's the thread:

http://www.photoshopgurus.info/forum...107&highlight=

neolite

I wasn't asking a question this time...I was just venting.

Thanks Doug. I have been working with the tutorials you originally posted. I was just frustrated.

Thanks.

C9Mouse

Ok, no problem-O .........

Agent Smith: Goodbye, Mr. Anderson.

Neo: My name.......is NEO!

neolite

I can't tell you how long I have been waiting for the right moment to use that quote. I can't believe you stole my thunder.

That's it, I'm switching my screen name back to Strawberry Shortcake. I don't care what everyone says - I thinks it's butch!

Moth

I get the mental picture of a biker dude wearing a pretty calico dress with strawberry patch accents.... AAAAAH! GET IT OUT OF MY HEAD!!!!!