shapes1

Understanding vectors and how they work is not as hard as it may seem at first. Unlike raster images (layers),which are made up of pixels,vector objects are made up of a set of properties that contain its attributes such as dimensions, and position of the object. This allows you to manipulate and edit the objects without affecting the rest of the image. Let's take a look at the vector tools in Paint Shop Pro.

Shapes Tool Select a preset shape from a large library included with PSP or learn to make your own shapes to save and share. A little bit of everything from your basic squares and rectangles to stars and button shapes Text Tool Create text on curves and text on a path with the vector text tool. Line Tool Here you have the ability to create straight lines, point to point lines, freehand lines and bezier lines. Vector Selection Tool This is the tool you use once an object is drawn out as a vector to select the shape for editing etc. Also used in adding nodes to node edit objects.
For each tool there is a tool options palette which you use to control how that specific tool works. Once the desired tool is selected, choose the tool options palette. You have three areas in which you can control various settings, your line width, antialias, type and style. Clicking the first tab of the options box for shapes:
Type -Click the arrow and a visual of all the shapes in the PSP library will appear. Click the shape you want to use. Retain Style -This will maintain the shape and appearance as you see it in the drop down box. Uncheck this option to use your own colors/styles. Antialias -This smooths the edges of slanted lines and curves by filling in the pixels. Create as Vector -Uncheck this box to draw a simple shape that would then be a raster layer instead of the vector object. Width -Determines the pixel width of the solid outlined shape. Line Style -Click the down arrow and select from a different style of line inlcuding dotted lines, dash lines, and various others.
Clicking the second tab in the tool options palette shows the controls for the join and meter limit. If you are using a circle or ellipse these settings will not apply.
Join -Click the down arrow to see the shape of the corners. Miter produces pointed corners *Round* produces round corners *Bevel* produces flatten corners Miter Limit -The option is only available if you have selected the miter join option and determines whether the outer corner of the joint is beveled or pointed.
Below show examples of how the different join styles look when used in creating an object. These apply to both the preset shape tool and the draw/line tool.
Clicking on the first tab of the tool options palette when using the object selection tool brings up a set of different looking palette of options. Clicking node edit puts you in node edit mode where you can shape and deform your shape by adding or subtracting nodes and adjusting them.

Click the properties box in the tool options palette brings up the properties dialog box where you can control and adjust the colored outline and/or fill as well as the line widths, join and miter as discussed above.

Just a few of the options available when working with the Presets Shape tool. There are gradient filled with an outline or you can just check the Retain Style option in the tool options palette and it will show up the same way you see it in your Preset Shapes tool option box.
Vector objects are seen differently in your layers palette and easily recognized. On the left you have a vector layer and on the right is a raster layer.
See? Not that bad are they? Vectors are really great once you get to know them. The possibilies are unlimited as to what you can make from them. Ron, of Ron's Toons has really done some fun stuff with them and you can too !! Let's make our own shape and export it so that we know for sure we know how to do it. Head over to the next page or go and make your own styled lines.

This PSP7 tutorial was provided by Sonja Shea aka Bonesy,
Technical Editor of Paint Shop Pro 7 Fast & Easy.
You can purchase this book at Amazon.com and other online booksellers,
as well as most major bookstores.

April 18, 2001