Although many people tend to
use Photoshop for its great picture enhancing features, not all graphic designs
may use a photo. As a graphic designer, there will be times when you may be required to create your own designs
from scratch. If you’re looking to do this — whether it be for a logo, design,
or just an added touch — then the shape and pen tool are just for you.
The Shape Tool
For basic shapes and symbols,
the shape tool will allow you to create quite a few variations by simply
choosing your preferred shape or tool and dragging your cursor across your work
area. Not only will you be able to create your own shapes, but also have the
option to create a solid shape or an outline.
Rectangle Tool
As the name implies, choosing
this tool will allow for a simple rectangular shape to form. You can even
create a square shape by holding down shift and dragging your tool across the
canvas.
Rounded Rectangle Tool
Similar to the rectangle tool,
the Rounded Rectangular Tool will from a rectangular or square shape with
rounded corners.
Ellipse Tool
Another choice among the shape
tools, this Ellipse Tool will allow for a nice elliptical or circular shape.
Polygon Tool
Allows the user to create just
about any polygon shape such as a hexagon, octagon, triangle, etc. You can
change the number of sides by using the Options Bar.
Custom Shape Tool
A much more versatile tool
that provides a much larger selection of shapes and symbols. You can access
these shapes by using the Options Bar and selecting your shape. You may also
switch each set of shapes by clicking on the gear icon on the top right corner
of the panel.
The Line Tool
This tool creates straight, rasterized
lines. You may also straight your lines horizontally or vertically by holding
down shift as you drag your cursor across your work area.
The Pen Tool
This handy tool allows you to
create your own original shapes or lines by simply clicking throughout your
work area to create paths. You may also bend your paths by holding and dragging
the end point of your path and moving it to your desired shape. To change the stroke, you may go to the Brush Tool and use the Options bar slider to change the thickness.
Add Anchor Point
A simple tool that allow you
to create a new anchor point to an existing one.
Delete Anchor Point
Opposite of the Add Anchor
Point Tool, this tool deletes any extra anchor points to an existing path.
Convert Point
Allows you to select an anchor
point by clicking and holding to change the curvature of the path.
The Freeform Pen Tool
As the final feature within
the Pen Tool, the Freeform Pen Tool allows you to create organic, free-hand
shapes. What makes this shape different from the original Pen Tool is that your
shapes will be hand-drawn entirely by you without the help of Photoshop. You
can use this tool by clicking and holding your cursor while moving it across
your work space in order to draw your own shapes.
This concludes the shape
building tools. Next week we will discuss the Brush Tool, Eraser Tool, as well
as the Gradient and Paint Bucket Tool!