Vector Graphics.

What is a Vector Graphic?

Vector graphics consist of lines and shapes, including text, that are produced mathematically and remain crisp after altering size and position,

They are produced on a vector layer that must be converted to a raster layer for some effects.

Raster images are defined on a pixel basis.

Tools used to make vector graphics.

Text tool Text (fonts and dingbats)

Text on a shaped line

Shapes Rectangle / Square

Ellipse/ Circle

Preset       Check expanded vector layer palette to edit constituent parts

Drag a shape, select sub-layer, Click a node with the Pen tool)

(Some preset shapes only show all nodes for editing

Symmetrical         Either polygons or stellated shapes with “X” sides

Pen                      Lines and curves

You must “convert to a path” before you can alter anything except size although some shapes are available as “paths” and don't need converting.

Objects / Convert to Path. Then use the Pen tool to manipulate the Nodes.

Rt click on an object with the Pen Tool for context menu

Toolbar Options

Check the implications of all the options available because they vary with the chosen tool.

In particular:-

Show nodes         Ticked

Create as Vector Ticked

Anti-alias Usually Ticked

Apply                  Ticked before you can proceed.

Choose, do you want to retain the original style or use the current materials?

Pick tool.

When used on vector layers it becomes the “Object Selection “ tool and has its own toolbar options. NB the Properties icon on rhs.

Object Properties

This is where you can change the stroke, fill and line style of the vector object.

( The object properties are also displayed by right clicking on the object sub-vector layer and choosing “Properties”.

Clicking on the vector layer and “Properties” gives the layer properties dialogue box)

The stroke and fill are from the current materials palette.

How to change vector objects

Draw a shape, if necessary convert the shape to a path and then select it with the Pen Tool. Nodes are now visible and can be manipulated

Nodes are points on a path where direction changes.

An Open Path has Start and End nodes, Closed paths also have direction.

To change type and position of individual nodes:- Convert to Path. Use Pen tool

Node Types

Asymmetric

Symmetrical

Cusp

Smooth / Tangent

Line / Curve

Node control arrow.       The arrow tip and feathered ends show direction of the path

Moving the arms changes the shape of the curve before/after the node.

Add node                      Ctrl Click on path with Pen Tool

Delete node                   Left click node to select it and “Delete”

Right Clicking on the object or node reveals an Edit Context Menu

To manipulate a node (depending on type) highlight it, left click and hold to move, use the arms to alter shape

Select multiple nodes   Shift + click on them

Overlapping contours   Fill disappears when direction of Contour is different ( This only seems to work when a shapes nodes are duplicated, I can't make this work with different shapes.)

Try this exercise

Draw a shape ?Square Say filled with colour

Object align / centre in canvas

Rt Click with Pen Tool Convert to Path (for Square)

Rt Click object/node Edit / Select All

Rt Click Edit / Duplicate

Rt Click Edit / Reverse Contour

(Colour disappears because squares are exactly superimposed')

Say Rotate with handle Colour appears where one square is not over the other

Vector text

Text can be added to the path of any vector shape.

Convert the shape to a path and click on it with the text cursor to follow the path

Convert text to characters or a shape and manipulate the individual nodes.

Changing the path direction influences where the text lies on the path

Vector Text can be manipulated in various ways ad includes text on a shaped path. Individual letters can be altered to create unique and interesting shapes

We will explore the various options for using Text on Vectors. We first begin by just working with simple Text and its basic options. Then we will explore how to create Text on a curve and explore ways to create different results on shapes and curves.

TEXT TOOL OPTIONS

Start by setting the Text tools options to “Default”with F/G colour nil and black B/G and experiment with all the changes you can make.

Fonts included both letters and dingbat shapes.

Most of the choices are obvious and self explanatory but note these:-

Line Style Fancy edges on the letters

Join and Mitre Limit: These values determine the corner shapes of the text.

Offset The distance the text is above (positive values) or below (negative values) the text baseline

Leading The spacing between the text lines.

Kerning The spacing between letters

Tracking Sets equal spacing between selected letters.

To work with text. first “Convert text to curves, Set options and use the Pen Tool to manipulate nodes and the Properties dialogue box.

Use the EDIT MODE when using the Pen Tool in order not to add unnecessary nodes. Add nodes by using the Control Key

Text on a curve.

Click the Text cursor on the curve. The cursor changes to

Circular Logo Text

Method 1

1 Create a circle no fill (Layer Vector 1)

2 Objects / Align / Centre in canvas

Expand the Layer Palette

Rt click on New Ellipse Layer (in Vector 1) and Convert to Path

4 Click on top centre with center aligned text.

Change offset with a negative value ( - 20 in this case) until text is bisected by the circle value.

Apply

If necessary, move text left or right with the arrow keys

5 Rt click on text layer / Convert to Path

6 Activate the New Ellipse Layer

Rt Click on the bottom node on the circle with the Pen tool Edit / Reverse Contour

The arrow now points to the right.

7 Click on bottom centre node with center aligned text.

Change offset to centre text on line Negative value

Apply

If necessary, move text left or right with the arrow keys

8 Rt Click on the new text layer / Convert to Path

9 Turn off the Ellipse layer

10 Rt Click on Vector Layer and Convert to Raster

11 Add vector effects such as drop shadow and change B/G layer as desired

Method 2

Drag out a circle, convert to a path and centre on canvas

Duplicate the image “top“ and “bottom”

“top” Add text for top of logo

“bottom” Reverse contour of bottom node

Add text for bottom of logo

Drag vector layer from palette of one image onto the other image.

Use the Pick tool or arrow keys to align the circles if necessary

Turn off the ellipse layers

Alter properties of the text layers if desired

Rasterise and add effects as desired.

Notes

Watch the Layers palette and sub-layers and work on the appropriate (named) layer.

Save as *.pspimage.

Convert to Raster layer to use raster effects.

Explore the Objects drop down menu which has many sub-menus.

The PEN TOOL OPTIONS

Modes

• Edit: Manipulate the nodes and Right click for the Edit context menu.

• Knife: Cuts a path and creates a start and end node.

• Lines and Polygons:

• Point to Point (bezier) Curves:

• Free Hand:

Connect Segments

Selected Every L click creates a node joined by a line to the previous node

Unselected Click, move cursor and click to get a line. Next click starts a new line

Tracking

When drawing freehand, high tracking values create fewer nodesto manipulat4e

Transformation of Selected Nodes

Access from the menu bar Objects / Transform Selected nodes or the toolbar. (Below)

Options vary and need to be chosen with each transformation and must be “Applied” to work.

Other Options set the object lines (stroke)

The EDIT CONTEXT MENU

Right click the object with the Pen tool ,

(Are you on the correct “sub-layer”?)