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Look Ma ... No Pixels 2:
Paint Shop Pro Paths
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Vector shapes in Paint Shop Pro
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Last time we looked at paths in raster programs, and focused on Photoshop
path methods. Paint Shop Pro takes the stage this time, as we look at
the vector drawing tools, and multiply your options by editing the paths
created by the tools.
First, you should take a quick trip to the introduction
for the previous article. This page gives a very basic background on
how paths work, and steps through a few of the terms like curves and
nodes that are the bread and butter of the vector world.
Vector shapes in Paint Shop Pro (PSP) are created as vectors, but cannot
be exported as vectors for other programs. PSP uses vector shapes as
a drawing tool only. To add effects, like drop shadows or texture, you
must convert the layer containing the shape to raster format. It is
important to understand how raster and vector objects differ when you
are working with both formats within one program. If you do not have
the raster/vector connection clear in your mind, please visit Graphic
Underworld: Looking Behind the Pretty Pictures to help clarify.
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Rectangles created in PSP. The top sample was created
by creating and filling a selection boundary. The lower rectangle was
created with the Preset Shapes tool.
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Vector/Raster Drawing
Drawing a shape in PSP can be done in two ways. The traditional method
to create an object in any raster program is to select an area and fill
it with color. Working on separate layers for each object we creates
allows us to edit and transform our objects at a later time.
Creating a shape with vectors is almost the opposite procedure. Take
a look at the two rectangles I have created at the left. The top rectangle
was created on a raster layer by drawing a rectangular selection. The
Flood Fill tool was used to fill the selection with red.
 The
lower rectangle is a vector object, created with the Preset Shapes tool
(see right), as shown by the selection handles around the perimeter
of the shape. To resize a vector object, you simply move the handles
to the desired position. The color and stroke are set through the object,
not through the program's main color control.
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Vector and raster layers shown, each containing one
of the red rectangles.
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Vector and Raster Layers
The two rectangles shown in the example above cannot be on the same
layer. Vector objects are created on vector layers. If your document
has no vector layer, the Preset Shapes tool will automatically add a
new vector layer when you create a shape. I have labeled the vector
layer at the left with the most imaginative name, "Rectangle (vector)."
Following the same creative convention, the raster rectangle, created
with the selection boundary, is named "Rectangle (raster)."
Note that the layers have a very different appearance in the Layer Palette.
It is vitally important to understand layers in PSP to work effectively
with both raster and vector objects. If you would like more information
on layers, please refer to Paint Shop
Pro Layers: Natural Organizers, for a complete tutorial.
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Vector Objects Are True Objects
We often refer to rectangles, circles or lines on raster layers as objects.
This is actually a misnomer (though one I am going to continue to use
for clarity). Technically, color areas on a raster layer are simply
colored pixels. They have no boundaries of their own, and if you accidentally
fill a selection boundary while another raster layer is active, the
pixels melt together – that is not a true object.
However, vector objects in Paint Shop Pro are honest-to-goodness, the
real thing, no apologies necessary ... objects. Many vector objects
can be added to a single layer, and they remain as separate objects.
In the sample at the left, I have added a gold ellipse and a green triangle
to the original layer containing the red rectangle. Note how they are
now listed as individual objects as part of the "Rectangle (vector)"
layer. Although the three objects are on the same layer, you can be
resize, scale, move and change fill and stroke for any of them without
affecting the other objects.
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With the background out of the way, we can move ahead and
create a few samples of vector objects before we move to editing nodes.
However, it will get confusing if you are not comfortable with the basics.
Make sure you understand the information on this page, as well as the
pages I referred you to for more information on a topic. |
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 Wendy
Peck is a working Web designer and writer living in NW Ontario, Canada.
http://wpeck.com
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Next page
Look Ma ... No Pixels 2: Tutorial Index
Paint Shop Pro Paths
Creating Vector Shapes in PSP
Editing Vector Shapes
Editing Curves and Nodes
Vector Text and Adding/Deleting Nodes
 
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