Pen Tool Tutorial

[NovaRacer]

Made this for a friend, and figured i may as well post it on here too:

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/6131/pentooltut0un.jpg

If you want to create a selection, rather than a line, instead of right-clicking and selecting stroke, click "Make Selection" instead :wink:

Hope this helps someone

[mickdesigns]

cheers for that mate, but nomatter what anyone does i can never use the pen tool! :(

[NovaRacer]

just takes practice :) keep trying, and you'll get it eventually

[dmanbluesfreak]

Yea, I never can understand how to use it.

[ Added: 2006-04-02, 17:41 ]
Scratch that I just got it - you have to use the add anchor point drop down tool instead of just right clicking on the line and clicking "select anchor point..." :mrgreen:

[bluntsmoker]

you do know that you dont need to add anchors...just when you make you first anchor you dont let go of the left button ad just drag the mouse a bit. you will see these handles show up, then safely make another anchor point by clicking somewhere else and do the same as for the rist point. then to easily edit the curves just hold down ALT key and you will see a cursor like this '>' thats the curve editing tool. when your done the path and you still want to edit a curve then just select that same too from the drop down menu. then just click on the path and those handles will show up again, but this time you dont need to hold down ALT key to edit the curve. hope this helps...

[dmanbluesfreak]

ummm, not much - but I think i have it now. I like making many anchors because it feels like I have more control over the curve.

[bluntsmoker]

wrong! the more anchors the less quality of the curve!

[dmanbluesfreak]

Well maybe less quality, but I feel like I have more control.

Acutally, hitting ALT is similar to just using the "add anchor" tool - you can edit curves that way, too.

I see what you mean, though - i think I worded my phrase wrong. I usually have abut 5 anchors per wheel arch and just edit the curve in between them.

[bluntsmoker]

cut that down to 3 and it will look better...trust me!

[dmanbluesfreak]

i've tried 3 - on some angles it looks flawless, but on pix at certain angles, its hard and I would rather just have 4 or 5 points.

[bluntsmoker]

user preference, but the less the better. you also have to know where to place anchors for best results!

[dmanbluesfreak]

yea, placement makes a huge difference.