Before we do anything lets start by getting familiar with the tools for paths. For each of the tools you have defined shortcuts and they are available with the click HERE!
Pen Tool
Path
Pen Tool: This tool is usefeul when drawing the paths dot by dot. Photoshop automaticly connects the dots by the segments. The segments represent straight or curved lines. (if not activate on Options- Path).
Freeform Pen Tool
Freeform Pen Tool: You move this tool so that you can make a path that automaticlly follows all the other curves of your moving. If you click on the option of the Magnetic space on the track Options, the pentool for the free forms gets the characteristics of the Magnetic Pen Tool.
Add Anchor Point Tool
Add Anchor Point Tool: Press the exsisting path so that you could add a pont or a dot to it.
Delete Anchor Point Tool
Delete Anchor Point Tool: Press the exsisting point on the path so that you could erase it , and this way you don't brake the contour of the path.
Convert Point Tool
Convert Point Tool: Press or pull the point (dot) so that you can make it into and angled or circled point. Press the Alt on the keyboard so that you step into this tool when the Pen tool is active. Press Ctrl+Alt when the arrowed tool is active.
Path Selection Tool
Path Selection Tool: Chooses the whole path.
Direct Selection Tool
Direct Selection Tool: It makes it possible for you to pull and use the points, dots and handles so that you could reshape the path.
Adding Overlapping Paths: Choose the tool Pen Tool and you will see the following features on the track Options:
Adding: Choose this button if you wish the surfaces to be chosen, overlaping or not.
Subtracting: Choose this button so that you could draw a path that draws a hole inside the exsisting path.
Intersecting: This option , that is oposite from Exclude, chooses only the surfaces that are overlapping.
Excluding: The surfaces that are overlapping won't be excluded in the selection.
Tips
Adding Segments: To get the path, draw a point by point until the path gets the wanting length and shape. Photoshop automatically draws the segment between every new points and the one before.
Closing of the Path: If you plan to make the path in the contour line of the selection, later on, you have to finish the contour by pressing first dot of the path again. Thats when every point or a dot will have one segment that goes inside and that comes out of the path. This kind of a path is a closed path.
Leaving the Paths Open: To leave the path open, so that you have the beginning (the start) and the end , deactive the path by recording the path. Chose the command Save Paths from the panel menu Paths.
Lengthening Opened Paths: To active the opened path again, press or pull one of its' ends. Photoshop segment draws inbetween ending point and the next one you make.
Connecting Two Opened Paths: To connect one path with the other press or pull the ending point of the first path , and then do the same with the ending point of the second path.
