Photoshop Paths Help

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Creating Paths In Photoshop
Creating a Screen Shot Image
 

Creating Paths in Photoshop (Second Tutorial)

This tutorial will show how to create paths in Photoshop. You may also want to learn Tutorial 1. How to 'Place' Vector Graphics into a Photoshop File
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Tutorial 2.

For the file used, download the bonsai-edit.psd here. (5.5mb) You can work through the steps of the tutorial with original Photoshop file saved in Layer Format. The first highlighted layer of the file is in original image, un-edited.

TIP: When downloading Photoshop Files in Layers, Choose > Save. This will allow the rulers to be included in the canvas. Choose > Open, the rulers will not be visible.

When you work through the layers, try making you own layers and edits. Check back to the QS layers for visual advice.

For this Photoshop tutorial, you are Going to edit a picture and add a different background.

       
The Image       The Path       The Final

Step1. Open File

Step 2. If your Photoshop Layers Tool Box is not open, Choose > Windows > Layers

Step 3. (optional) Using CorelDraw or Illustrator, import the psd file. Then, using a pen tool, draw a continuous line (vector) drawing around the image you want to make a path. When done, export your new line drawing as bonsaimainpath.eps

Step 3. Do This, Use the Pen Tool Functions.
On the Layers-Channels-Paths Dialog Box, click across the the tab named > Paths

On the right, select the tiny expand arrow, Choose > New Path
Name this path. Call it My Bonsai Path Main.

Now, go across to the Pen Tool. Use the pen tool to click and drag to create smooth curves around the pixels. You will see, the pen tool drawing in Vector Mode.

You can be as accurate as the file resolution allows. That is, if your file is 72dpi, the pixel is reasonably close to the image. If your file is 1200dpi, you can narrow in to finely make a path around hair, folds in clothing etc. This is called high resolution.

When you have drawn all around the image in one continuous path, the nodes will automatically join to form the end node/start node join. A tiny circle will appear next to the Pen Tool, indicating the join node.

Photoshop also lets you add or subtract from the path. Look at the top title bar menu for options.

Step 4. Turn the Path into a selection (marching ants)

On the Layers-Channels-Paths Dialog Box, Click the tiny arrow. Choose > Make Selection.
A new option box will appear, you can adjust the level of feather, whether the path will intersect, or is new etc.

Choose New, for this tutorial, we will work in more layers. You can learn to use the path tool intersect, subtract with more experience.
Choose Feather Pixels -0.

Now you have a selection of marching ants, that is duplicate to the path you made.

Step 5. Click back across to the Layer Tab on the Layers-Channels-Paths Dialog.

Next, - select / highlight - a layer, use the Bonsai Main Layer

Next, because the selection is a 'positive' selection, you need to Choose > Select > Inverse - at the top title menu bar. This will inverse your selection. If you dont choose to inverse, any actions you make, will work inside the path selection. If you Choose > Select > Inverse, any actions you make will work outside the path selection.

When the selection is correct, (make sure the Layer named 'Bonsai Main Layer' is in highlighted mode, then, click delete, this will remove any unwanted pixels on the layer and you will see the lower layer 'named Green' show some of its color.

Do this for each path you have created. The psd file has two paths. Dont use these, try or make your own.

Do this, try making a new path in Photoshop inside the leaf areas, zoom in and remove the white space surrounding the leaves.

END

Adding other types of placed images.

a, You can drag placed images into other windows. If you have two files open, drag one into another. Great for swapping between paths, creating and adjusting different effects etc.

b, You can place full colored .eps files into a Photoshop Layer. Choose > File > Place. The .eps image will appear, you can scale to size using the Shift key, move around and resize before commit. To commit, hit enter or click any tool on the tool bar.

Inside the tutorial psd file, we have placed a QS logo and adjusted the opacity to 35%. If you re-adjust the opacity, the logo will be again in full color.

How do I get a screenshot into Photoshop

Have you ever seen images like this below, a screen shot of your document can be made easily. This works with most programs and some video programs.

1. Resize the window or section you want to 'capture'.

On your keyboard, Press > Alt+printscrn.
This will create a 'cut n paste' screenshot in cache on your clipboard.

Open Photoshop, Choose > File > New
You should see a file size request. eg: 1260 x 930 or whatever size in pixels at 72dpi you made your Alt+printscrn at.
Click OK.
When the file is open, Choose >  Edit > Paste.

The screen shot will appear. Use the Zoom tool, Choose > Actual Pixels.

Then you can crop to the section of the screen you want.

- -Choose > File > Save for Web
- - - Choose Jpg or Gif and any setting you like.

Other pages helpful to this tutorial

Renaming Layers | Vector Graphics Tutorial 1 | Cropping Images to specific size

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