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 Path
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 Related Terms
• Vector
• Nodes
• Bezier Curve
• Spline
 
 

Definition: A path consists of the general outline of an object. Paths can be open or closed and can be made up of a combination of straight and curved segments. Open paths are straight or curved lines which can have varying thickness by stroking the path. Closed paths are shapes which can have a stroked outline and a filled interior. Paths can also be used to mask out or clip away portions of another image. These paths are referred to as clipping paths. Paths in graphics software are generally creating using a pen tool, Bézier curve tool, or less commonly, a spline or b-spline curve tool.

Open path
A Bezier curve path. This is an open path.

Closed path with red fill open path
The heart is closed path with six nodes and a red fill. The partial ellipse is an open path with four nodes.

An Open path with a thick stroke
This path has been stroked to give it thickness.

Text on a path
Many programs allows you to flow text along a path. In this example, the path itself has no stroke, making it invisible.

Clipping path
The heart-shaped path here is used as a clipping path to mask out parts of a bitmap image.

Also Known As: curve, line, clipping path

Related Resources:

The Language of Curves
Whether working with curves and paths and vector-based shapes in painting or drawing software, it is helpful to understand some of the terminology used for this type of computer drawing.

Photoshop Pen Tool
Step by step instructions for removing the background from an image with the pen tool in Photoshop.

Photoshop Path Tool Tutorial
A basic tutorial on the pen tool in Adobe Photoshop 6. Should provide you with a good basic understanding of what the pen tool is and how it works.

Clipping Paths Tutorials
Learn how to create and work with clipping paths for use in page layout software. From Desktop Publishing Guide Jacci Howard Bear.

Elsewhere on the Web:

Pen Tutorials
Download these practice templates to improve your skills with the pen tool in your illustration software.

Keyboard Pen Shortcuts
These keyboard shortcuts will help you draw paths in a fluid manner in Illustrator, Photoshop, and Freehand.

Pen Tips
Shortcuts and tips for using the pen in Illustrator, Photoshop, CorelDRAW, and Freehand.


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