Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Using the Pen tool for selections
The Pen tool is the most accurate of all the selection tools in Photoshop. The selection
that it creates is referred to as a path. A path utilizes points and segments to dei ne a
border. Paths are not only more accurate than other selection methods, but they are also
more economical, as they do not increase i le size, unlike saved channel selections. This is
because paths don't contain image data; they are simply outlines. In this section, you will
learn how to make a basic path, and then use it to make a selection that you can use for
adjusting an image's tonal values.
Pen tool terminology
Bézier curve
: Originally developed by Pierre Bézier in the 1970s for CAD/CAM operations,
the Bézier curve became the underpinning of the entire Adobe PostScript drawing model.
The depth and size of a Bézier curve is controlled by fixed points and direction lines.
Anchor points
: Anchor points are used to control the shape of a path or object. They are
automatically created by the shape tools. You can manually create anchor points by clicking
from point to point with the Pen tool.
Direction lines
: These are essentially the handles that you use on anchor points to adjust the
depth and angle of curved paths.
Closed shape
: When a path is created, it becomes a closed shape when the starting point
joins the endpoint.
Simple path
: A path consists of one or more straight or curved segments. Anchor points
mark the endpoints of the path segments. In the next section, you will learn how to control
the anchor points.
1
Choose File > Browse in Bridge to bring Adobe Bridge forward. Then navigate to the
ps05lessons folder and open image ps0507.psd.
2
Choose File > Save As. When the Save As dialog box appears, navigate to the
ps05lessons folder. In the File name text i eld, type
ps0507_work
. Choose Photoshop
from the Format drop-down menu and press Save. If the Photoshop Format Options
dialog box appears, press OK.
This part of the exercise will guide you through the basics of using the Pen tool.
