tonya kay

I'm trying to make a logo composed of nothing but smooth curved thin lines, no filled shapes...I've been using the pen tool and then stroking the path with the brush tool but the line isn't quite as smooth as I'd like...is there a better way to do this?

Gaussian

Try this: draw a shape, set the fill to 0% and add a stroke layer style.

tonya kay

thanks for the hint...but does that work if you're not making shapes out of the lines?

Gaussian

No.

tonya kay

um...so...as to my original question...is there a way to make completely smooth curved lines (no shapes) ?

docilebob

I can`t think of a better way to make a smooth line than stroking a path, unless you soften the brush a bit and let it anti-alias itself a bit..

Gaussian

If there was one I would have shown you. Do understand the advantages over stroking a shape set to 0% fill;

- you can change the path at any time and the stroke will follow (this is not the case when you stroke a path)
- you can change the thickness/opacity/blend of the stroke at any time
- you can not only stroke the shape, but also add things like bevel or drop shadow (just to name a few)

Also understand that "fill" makes the shape totally transparent and the only things that will be visible are the effects of the adjustment layer. In my opinion it does what you asked for, even when it's not the most elegant method, but surely the most effective one, knowing Photoshop's real limitations when it comes to vectors.

What you actually want is exactly that kind of functionality why people use true (!) vector programs like Illustrator, Freehand, Xara X, etc which are the kind of programs professionals use to design logos because of their flexibility and strengths when it comes to scalability.

ladyfinger007

Use a layer mask to hide the unecessary parts...