Web Design Forums

Samione · 26-01-2008, 09:52

When you're using the pen tool in photoshop, and you make a bezier curve, why is it that the next anchor point you add creates some fucking random ass curve that seems to just go off on whatever tangent it feels like, is there any way to stop this?

steveb · 26-01-2008, 10:18

That's exactly what's supposed to happen! Your job is to control the random assness. If you want an outline composed only of short straight lines, don't move the mouse or Wacom pen when you click the next point on the line.

If you drag the mouse/pen as you click, you get a bezier curve point. If it's not where you want - and it rarely is - it doesn't matter because you can correct it later after you've gone all the way round the object. The fewer bezier points you have, the better.

For practice, I suggest you scan in a big Helvetica "a" and trace around that. It contains lots of varying curves and sharp corners and if you pay attention to your actions and their results, you'll quickly learn to control the pen tool.

Hunch · 26-01-2008, 10:27

It seems like that to everyone at first, but spend a couple of hours using it and you'll start to get a feel for how it works.

Samione · 26-01-2008, 10:27

So it is possible to tame the beast then?

iblastoff · 26-01-2008, 10:27

learn how the bezier control handles work and it becomes easy as pie.

Samione · 26-01-2008, 10:30

It's still a bitch trying to get a straight line after an extreme curve.

Edit- the pen tool is almost my bitch, cheers guys.

steveb · 26-01-2008, 10:46

Good! I'm glad - and I can imagine how pleased you are with yourself for having learned to use it. I was!

Samione · 26-01-2008, 10:53

Still got a few issues with it, but yeah, i'll post the image i'm workin' on once i'm done.

Samione · 26-01-2008, 11:59

There were some points where it was pretty much beyond my control, and did whatever it wanted, but anyway, apart from it being a little dutty, i'm pretty happy with it.

steveb · 26-01-2008, 12:41

Congratulations! That's pretty good stuff. The little irregularities add to its character. I like!

seen.to · 26-01-2008, 12:55

Congratulations on 'taming the beast' it really is satisfying isn't it. Keep with it and it will become even easier.

And great advice from all above! When I first used the pen-tool (about 9-10 years ago now) I thought I'd never get the hang of it.

26-01-2008, 09:52	#1 (permalink)
Samione Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 656	Pen tool + photoshop + random bezier curves = annoying When you're using the pen tool in photoshop, and you make a bezier curve, why is it that the next anchor point you add creates some fucking random ass curve that seems to just go off on whatever tangent it feels like, is there any way to stop this?

26-01-2008, 10:18	#2 (permalink)
steveb 389 ppm and rising Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Järvenpää, Finland Posts: 4,877	That's exactly what's supposed to happen! Your job is to control the random assness. If you want an outline composed only of short straight lines, don't move the mouse or Wacom pen when you click the next point on the line. If you drag the mouse/pen as you click, you get a bezier curve point. If it's not where you want - and it rarely is - it doesn't matter because you can correct it later after you've gone all the way round the object. The fewer bezier points you have, the better. For practice, I suggest you scan in a big Helvetica "a" and trace around that. It contains lots of varying curves and sharp corners and if you pay attention to your actions and their results, you'll quickly learn to control the pen tool. __________________ My free fonts www.utfi.net

26-01-2008, 10:27	#5 (permalink)
iblastoff gotsa a malanga! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: ottawa, canada Posts: 489	learn how the bezier control handles work and it becomes easy as pie. __________________ stevelam.ca \| sickpill.com

26-01-2008, 10:46	#7 (permalink)
steveb 389 ppm and rising Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Järvenpää, Finland Posts: 4,877	Good! I'm glad - and I can imagine how pleased you are with yourself for having learned to use it. I was! __________________ My free fonts www.utfi.net

26-01-2008, 12:41	#10 (permalink)
steveb 389 ppm and rising Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Järvenpää, Finland Posts: 4,877	Congratulations! That's pretty good stuff. The little irregularities add to its character. I like! __________________ My free fonts www.utfi.net

26-01-2008, 10:27	#3 (permalink)
Hunch Grumpy old man Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: North Japan Posts: 1,672	It seems like that to everyone at first, but spend a couple of hours using it and you'll start to get a feel for how it works.

26-01-2008, 10:27	#4 (permalink)
Samione Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 656	So it is possible to tame the beast then?

26-01-2008, 10:30	#6 (permalink)
Samione Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 656	It's still a bitch trying to get a straight line after an extreme curve. Edit- the pen tool is almost my bitch, cheers guys.

26-01-2008, 10:53	#8 (permalink)
Samione Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 656	Still got a few issues with it, but yeah, i'll post the image i'm workin' on once i'm done.

26-01-2008, 11:59	#9 (permalink)
Samione Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 656	There were some points where it was pretty much beyond my control, and did whatever it wanted, but anyway, apart from it being a little dutty, i'm pretty happy with it.

26-01-2008, 12:55	#11 (permalink)
seen.to unusual suspect ™ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: DE, USA Posts: 2,885	Congratulations on 'taming the beast' it really is satisfying isn't it. Keep with it and it will become even easier. And great advice from all above! When I first used the pen-tool (about 9-10 years ago now) I thought I'd never get the hang of it. __________________ [[proverbs and quotes]] [[blog]] [[work]] [[photowebby - some photo's by me]]

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