Vector Drawing Tutorial for Paint Shop Pro - Page 2

Paint Shop Pro Tutorial by Arizona Kate

(If you arrived on this page from a search, you can start the tutorial on page one.)

STEP 2...GETTING ACQUAINTED

Before we move on....let's define a few of the words used when drawing with vectors ... these may be new to you.

Path

A vector object contains 1 path containing all the contours of an object. The direction of the path flows from it's start point (node) to end point (node). The shape of the object is controlled by the nodes.

Node

A node controls the shape of a contour, depending on the Node Type. Every contour contains at least two nodes...a start and a finish point.

Node Handle

Nodes have control arms (with handles) extending from each side. Adjusting the handles will define the shape of the contour at that point.

Node Type

There are 4 types of nodes, symmetric, asymmetric, cusp and smooth. Depending on the type you choose, you can create a gentle curve or turn a sharp corner. This will be explained in more detail as we edit the nodes.

Line Segment

The line segment is the straight or curved line connecting 2 nodes.

The next tool we need to get acquainted with is the Pen Tool, which, when selected, will give you a new toolbar containing more editing tools:

Note for PSP 7 users: The Pen tool is new for PSP 8. In PSP 7, select the Node Edit button on the Tool Options dialog box after selecting object with Object Selector. Node Type and other editing options can be accessed by right clicking a selected object. Draw new shapes with Preset Shapes tool and new lines with Draw tool.

New Shape

Simple mode will probably be checked most of the time. When drawing freehand lines, you can check the Contiguous box to draw one continuous line or uncheck to draw multiple, unconnected lines.

Mode

The Pen Tool has 3 modes: Edit, Draw or Knife. All of these modes have a flyout menu for cut, copy, paste, delete, etc. Choose a command for a selected node(s) by right clicking or by choosing Objects > Edit from the main menu.

• Edit - The pointer is the Edit mode. This is what we'll use most often to edit and add nodes.
• Draw - The pencil is the Draw tool and is used to draw single lines, freehand lines, Bezier curves, and point to point lines. This tool was in the left side toolbar in PSP v.7....now it is combined with Pen Tool.
• Knife - is used to remove (cut) or add nodes.

Segment Type

When drawing a new line, you can choose different line types with these 3 buttons: straight, point to point or freehand.

More tools to fine-tune, transform, edit nodes, contours, and paths, etc are used when editing vector objects. We'll explain each of those as we use them.

Continued on page 3...