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By Contributing Writer, eHow Contributor
Photoshop is an amazing piece of software. If you can imagine something, you can have a picture of it with Photoshop. But there is a learning curve, and some of the tools can be daunting. The Pen tool is an essential tool for selecting with precision. Here's how to use it.
Instructions
When to Use the Pen Tool
- 1
Use the Pen tool to select curved objects. If you are attempting to select a square object, the Square Marquee Selection tool might be a better bet. But when attempting to select a shape that is even moderately curved, the Pen tool is the most precise selection tool available in Photoshop.
- 2
Use the Pen tool for automatically saved selections. One of the great things about the Pen tool is that it creates a path that can be turned into a selection area over and over. This is great if you decide to go back or want multiple versions of the same image selection.
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- 3
Use the Pen tool when you need precision. Other selections tools can select certain types of objects faster, but nothing comes close to the Pen tool in the precision department. If you want to select an object that's right next to something you don't, the Pen tool is the answer.
Managing Paths
- 1
Decide if you want a new layer. There are two ways to manage the paths you will create using the pen tool. You can change these options when the Pen tool is selected along the top tool bar, on the very left side. The first option is called Shape Layers. When you start a new path with the Shape Layers option, the path will be put onto a new layer automatically created and placed in the Layers palette. But this is no ordinary layerthis is an adjustable shape layer. You can choose to fill in your path.
- 2
Select the Paths option to have your paths appear in the Paths palette, if you would like to keep your paths separate from your image layers. Using the Paths palette is a little different from using shape layers. While each unique path will create a new shape layer if that option is selected, every path will appear on the same area in the Paths palette unless otherwise specified. If you are using your paths as selections areas, create and name a new path layer in the Paths palette before you begin each new path. Otherwise, when you convert one path to a selection area, you will convert all your paths and end up selecting much more than you want.
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- 3
Use fill. Many times, when using the Pen tool, it can be helpful to set the inside of a selection to fill in with a color of your choice. This can be very useful when tracing a shape from an existing photo. Since the fill is a function of the Adjustable Shape Layer created when the Shape Layers option is selected, it's possible to turn the opacity of the shape layer down to 30% or 40% using Layer Opacity, creating a semi-transparent layer that will show you exactly the area you have enclosed with your path.
Creating Paths
- 1
Understand anchor points. Anchor points are the points on a path that define separate path curves. Each time you want to create a new curve or straight path, create a new anchor point. Anchor points should be placed in a few places as possible, and placed at the lowest point on a curve relative to the apex. Anchor points can be moved at any time by holding the Apple button (Control button on a PC) to change the cursor to the direct selection tool, which looks like the move tool except the arrow is white. Each time you click with the Pen tool, a new anchor point will be created, and a path between the new anchor point and the previous anchor point. When creating a new anchor point, the new path between new and old anchor points will be straight. To make it into a curve, click and drag. Dragging will create a handle, which is used to designate how a curve behaves.
- 2
Understand handles. The top of the handle you drag will correspond with the apex of the curve you wish to create. So, when creating an anchor point at the base of a curve, drag the handle straight up to the height of the apex of the curve. Don't drag the handle directly to the apex. Next, create another anchor point at the base of the curve opposite your original anchor point. Once the second anchor point is created, a curved section of path will appear between the two anchor points, but do not let go of the click just yet. Drag a handle from the second anchor point to correspond with the first anchor point, and continue to modify these handles until your path matches up with the curve you are trying to select. There are always two handles on an anchor point: one to determine the curve of the last existing path, and one that will guide the next path created. Use this second handle just like you used the first handle on the first anchor point.
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- 3
Understand dynamic path modification. Hold the Option button while the Pen tool is selected to bring up the Handle Modification tool. With this tool you can create new handles from anchor points or modify existing handles. Holding down the Apple button will allow you to move anchor points. Switching to the Add or Subtract anchor-point tools will allow you to add or delete anchor points to any part of your path.
- 4
Create a selection from a path. Whether you keep your paths in the Layers palette or the Paths palette, creating a selection from a path is as easy as holding the Apple button and clicking the shape icon next to the name of the shape.
- 1
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