Adobe 23101335 User Guide - Page 177

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP 6.0 167 User Guide Drawing with the pen tool The pen tool lets you create straight lines and smooth flowing curves with greater precision than is possible with the freeform pen tool. For most users, the pen tool provides the best control and greatest accuracy for drawing. To draw with the pen tool: 1 Select the pen tool ( ). 2 In the options bar, click either the Create New Shape Layer button ( ) or the Create New Work Path button ( ). (See "Drawing shapes and paths" on page 161.) 3 Set the following tool-specific options: • Rubber Band to preview path segments as you draw. After you define at least one anchor point for a path, Photoshop displays the next proposed segment as you move the pointer in the image. The segment doesn't become permanent until you click. • Auto Add/Delete to automatically add or delete anchor points while you draw. 4 Position the pen pointer where you want to begin to draw, and click to define the first anchor point. The anchor point remains selected (solid) until you define the next point. 5 Choose a shape area option to determine what happens at the intersection of overlapping path segments and components. (See "Drawing overlapping shapes (Photoshop)" on page 171.) 6 Click or drag to set anchor points for additional segments. (See "Drawing straight segments with the pen tool" on page 167 and "Drawing curves with the pen tool" on page 168.) 7 Complete the path component: • To end an open path component, click the pen tool in the toolbox, or Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS) away from the path. • To close a path component, position the pen pointer over the first anchor point. A small loop appears next to the pen tip when it is positioned correctly. Click to close the path. For more information on closed and open paths, see "About anchor points, direction lines, direction points, and components" on page 172. 8 Draw additional path components if desired. 9 Click the OK button ( ) in the options bar, or press Enter or Return, to dismiss the drawing tools. Drawing straight segments with the pen tool The simplest segment you can draw with the pen tool is a straight segment, made by clicking to create anchor points. To draw straight segments: 1 Position the pen pointer where you want the straight segment to begin, and click to define the first anchor point. The anchor point remains selected (solid) until you define the next point. 2 Click again where you want the first segment of the straight line to end, or Shift-click to constrain the angle of the segment to a multiple of 45°.