USING THE DRAWING AND TYPE TOOLS

The Drawing and Type tools create and alter vector objects. Drawing tools work on vector paths, which are vector-based outlines you can turn into selections. Using the Options bar, choose whether to draw paths or shape layers. Type is created in type layers that can be transformed and warped and even set along paths.

• Path Selection (A): Use this tool to move entire paths around the canvas as a single object. The path or shape layer retains its shape.

• Direct Selection (A): Use this tool to select and move individual points and Bézier handles of a path or shape layer.

• Pen (P): Create paths with the Pen tool (shown in Figure 3.9). Single-click to create individual points to form the path. Click, hold, and drag to create a Bézier curve when drawing a path.

  Figure 3.9. The Path tools.

  

  
  

• Freeform Pen (P): With this tool, click, hold, and draw a path. Points of the path are created automatically.

• Add Anchor Point (P): Use this tool to click part of a path to add a point to the path. Adding an anchor point to your path or shape layer allows for more detail in the path or shape.

• Delete Anchor Point (P): Use this tool to click a point of a path to remove that point from the path.

• Convert Anchor Point (P): Single-click a point of a path to convert it to a corner point. Or click and drag to convert it to a curve point. Or Option-click (Mac users) or Alt-click (Windows users) and drag to convert it to a combination point.

• Horizontal Type (T): The Horizontal Type tool (shown in Figure 3.10) is the default Type tool. Click and drag to make a text box. Type your text with the keyboard to create text in the foreground color. Use the Options bar to set the font, size, and other text properties. Open the Character and or Paragraph palettes for more typography options.

  Figure 3.10. The Type tools.

  

  
  

• Vertical Type (T): This tool is similar to the Horizontal Type tool except that the type stacks vertically, and the text direction goes from right to left for Asian languages.

• Horizontal Type Mask (T): This tool is similar to the Horizontal Type tool, but a selection area is created rather than actual type. Although you can paint within the type selection area, adjusting the type options is not allowed after type is created.

• •Vertical Type Mask (T): This tool is similar to the Vertical Type tool, but a selection area is created rather than actual type. Although you can paint within the type selection area, adjusting the type options is not allowed after type is created.