Chapter 12 Using Clipping Masks, Paths, & Shapes

Chapter Lessons Use a clipping group as a mask Use pen tools to create and modify a path Work with shapes Convert paths and selections

Shape Types Shape – Vector object – Keeps crisp appearance when resized, edited, moved, reshaped, or copied Rasterized Shape – Converted into bitmapped object that cannot be moved or copied – Uses smaller file size

Working with Shapes Add a pre-designed shape: – Ellipse – Circle – Rectangle Create a unique shape using a pen tool

Defining Clipping Masks Create an effect in which the bottom layer acts as a mask for all other layers in the group

Defining Paths One or more straight or curved line segments connected by anchor points Use to turn an area defined within an object into a separate individual object Paths can be either open or closed

Open Paths Two distinct endpoints: anchor points at each end of the open path An example is an individual line

Closed Paths One continuous path without endpoints An example is a circle

Clipping Path Use a clipping path to: – Extract a Photoshop object from within a layer – Place it in another program such as Adobe Illustrator – Retain its transparent background

Creating Paths Use the Pen tool or the Freeform Pen tool Draw a path by placing anchor points along the edge of another image or wherever required to draw a specific shape Paths are stored on the Paths panel

Use a Clipping Group as a Mask Clipping Mask Effect Isolate an area and make images outside the area transparent Image of the roses is masked by text

Clipping Mask Process Rasterize the type or shape layer: – Change the vector graphic into a bitmapped object made up of colored pixels Use a Transform command to reshape layer contents Create the clipping mask

Transform Commands ScaleChanges the image size RotateAllows rotation 360° SkewStretches an image horizontally or vertically; cannot exceed image boundary DistortStretches an image horizontally or vertically; can exceed image boundary PerspectiveChanges opposite sides of an image equally

Transform Commands Rotate 180Rotate image 180° clockwise Rotate 90 CWRotate image 90° clockwise Rotate 90 CCWRotate image 90° counter- clockwise Flip HorizontalProduce a mirror image Flip VerticalProduce an upside-down image

Transform Examples

Using Transform Commands After selecting a transform command, a bounding box is displayed around the object – Contains handles used to modify the selection Reference point is located in the center of the bounding box – Point around which transform command takes place

Use Pen Tools to Create & Modify a Path Tools used to create a path: – Pen tool – Freeform Pen tool – Magnetic Pen tool

Pen Tools to Create a Path Pen toolCreates curved or straight line segments Freeform Pen tool Creates unique shapes Magnetic Pen tool Lets the tool find an object’s edge

Tools Used to Modify a Path Add Anchor Point tool Delete Anchor Point tool Convert Point tool

Pen Tools to Modify a Path Add Anchor Point tool Adds an anchor point to an existing path or shape Delete Anchor Point tool Removes an anchor points from an existing path or shape Convert Point tool Converts a smooth point to a corner point and a corner point to a smooth point

Creating a Path Paths are saved with the image they were created in and stored in the Paths panel Create a path based on an existing object OR Create a shape with a pen tool

Creating a Closed Path Position the pointer on top of the first anchor point A small circle appears next to the pointer (indicates that the path will be closed when the pointer is clicked)

Paths Example The active path is called Starfish1 and displays an outline of the starfish Starfish1 Path

Modifying a Path Establish a path and then embellish it and convert it into a selection Examples: – Add more width or more curves to an existing path – Fill a path with the foreground color

Selecting a Path Use the Direct Selection tool to select a path Manipulate individual anchor points without affecting the entire path

Moving an Anchor Point Force the two line segments on either side of the anchor point to shrink or grow by moving the anchor point Move individual line segments to new locations Shorten or elongate direction handles to adjust the amount of curve or length of a line segment

Adding and Deleting Anchor Points Split an existing line segment into two to produce more sides to an object Remove anchor points to straighten a bumpy path

Converting Anchor Points Convert corner points into smooth points: – Gives a drawing a softer appearance Convert smooth points into corner points: – Gives a drawing a sharper appearance

Work with Shapes Choose one of six shape tools to create a shape Three buttons appear on the left side of the options bar: – Shape layers button – Paths button – Fill pixels button

Vector Data Shapes and paths contain vector data: – They do not lose their crisp appearance when resized or reshaped

Modifying a Shape Change the blending mode to alter how the shape affects existing pixels in the image Change the opacity setting to make the shape more transparent or opaque Use the anti-aliasing option to blend pixels on the shape’s edge with surrounding pixels

Creating a Rasterized Shape Select or create a non-vector-based layer Select the shape required Click the Fill pixels button on the options bar

Embellishing Shapes Styles and filters can be applied to shapes Bevel and Emboss style applied to the top layer

Shapes Added to an Image New Rectangle Shape New Custom Shape with Style applied

Creating 3D Shapes Use 3D workspace Click Mesh from the Presets option button, then click a Shape

Convert Paths and Selections Converting a Selection into a Path Convert a selection into a path to use: – Clipping paths – Other path features Create the selection, then click the Make work path from selection button on the Paths panel

Converting a Path Into a Selection Select a path on the Paths panel Click the Load path as selection button on the Paths panel