Workshop

Q&A

Q1:	How can I use paths to draw shapes onto my pictures?
A1:	Choose the Shape tool that's appropriate, and choose Shape Layer on the Tool Options bar. Your shape will appear on a new layer in the foreground color . To draw a custom shape, select the appropriate Pen tool and draw the path you need. After you have placed the path , stroke it or fill it as necessary.
Q2:	What does the Magnetic Pen do that the other Pen tools don't?
A2:	The Magnetic Pen bases its selection on contrast. This automates path creation to some degree because you don't have to rely on your own hand-eye coordination to follow a complex path.
Q3:	How do I know what tolerance to set when I convert a path to a selection?
A3:	That depends on how smoothor how accurateyou want the finished path to be. A tolerance of 1 pixel or less will make the path follow the selection as precisely as possible. A tolerance of 510 will give you a smoothed-out path, following your selection to within 5 to 10 pixels.

Quiz

1:	What does it mean to stroke a path? Using the points and B zier handles to refine its shape Adding a color to it so it becomes a line Painting over it with short strokes
2:	How do you turn a selection into a path? Select it and press Command+P Select Make Work Path from the Paths palette menu Line it with bricks
3:	What does the Rubber Band option do? Makes your paths visible as you click the mouse Makes paths spring back to a straight line when clicked Makes lines "stretchy"

Quiz Answers

A1:	b. Think of stroking it with a paintbrush.
A2:	b. Don't try a. unless you want to make a printout.
A3:	a. All paths are visible as you draw them (while you drag to set the handles), but the Rubber Band mode makes the path visible as you move the mouse.

Exercises

Start a new page and use the Pen tool to draw a star-shaped path and a freeform path with lots of curves. Stroke both of these paths with a color. Then use the Magnetic Pen tool to trace around them. Notice that as long as you stay fairly close to your original line, the Pen tool places a path right at the edge of the line. Fill these shapes with a color. Draw two more paths inside these shapes, and fill them with a different color. Add a couple of shapes with a Shape tool. Try a custom shape. Practice with the Path tools, adding points and refining your paths until you're comfortable with them all.