Using paths with artwork

Now that you’ve had some practice using the templates, you’ll use the pen tool to make selections in the fanciful image of a flying saucer traveling through outer space. The saucer has long, smooth, curved edges that would be difficult to select using other methods.

You’ll draw a path around the image and create two paths inside the image. After you’ve drawn the paths, you’ll convert them to selections. Then you’ll subtract one selection from the other so that only the saucer is selected and none of the starry sky. Finally, you’ll make a new layer from the saucer image and change the image that appears behind it.

When drawing a freehand path using the pen tool, use as few points as possible to create the shape you want. The fewer points you use, the smoother the curves are and the more efficient your file is.

Correct number of points

Too many points

Essentially, in this procedure you’re going to use the pen tool to connect the dots from point A to point N and then back to point A, practicing what you learned earlier in this lesson about how to set different kinds of points.

• You’ll set some straight segments (by simply clicking the points) at points C, F, J, and M.

• You’ll set smooth curve points (by dragging to the red dots) for points A, D, E, G, H, I, K, and L.

• You’ll set a corner point for a transition from a curved to a straight segment (at point B) by first creating a smooth curve point—again, by dragging to the red dots—and then removing one of the directional lines by Alt+clicking (Windows) or Option+clicking (Mac OS) the point itself.

• You’ll set a corner point for a transition from a straight to a curved segment (by first clicking without dragging to create a corner point and then holding down Alt or Option and clicking the point) for point N.

If you’re ready to challenge yourself, you can try to do this task using just the instructions above. Or, follow the steps below first, to make sure that you make all the right moves.

Drawing the outline of a shape

Use the following steps to create a path, outlining the shape of the space ship.

1.	Choose File > Open, and open the file Saucer.psd from the Lessons/Lesson09 folder.
2.	Select the pen tool (), hidden under the convert point tool (). If necessary, zoom in so that you can easily see the lettered points and red dots on the shape template that has been created for you.
3.	Position the pointer on point A, and drag to the red dot to set the first anchor point and the direction of the first curve. Then do the same thing at point B. At the corner of the cockpit (point B), you’ll need to make the point a corner point, to create a sharp transition between the curved segment and the straight one.
4.	Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) point B to convert the smooth point into a corner point by removing one of the direction lines. Setting a smooth point at B Converting the smooth point to a corner point
5.	Click point C to set a straight segment (don’t drag). If you make a mistake while you’re drawing, choose Edit > Undo to undo the step. Then resume drawing.
6.	Drag up from point D to the red dot. Then drag down from point E to its red dot.
7.	Click point F.
8.	Set curve points at G, H, and I by dragging from the points to their respective red dots.
9.	Click point J.
10.	Set curve points at K and L by dragging from each one to its respective red dot.
11.	Click point M and then point N.
12.	Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) and drag from point N to the red dot, to add one direction line to the anchor point at N.
13.	Move the pointer over point A so that a small circle appears in the pointer icon, and click to close the path. (The small circle may be difficult to see because the image is dark and the circle is faint.)
14.	In the Paths palette, double-click the Work Path, type Saucer in the Name text box, and click OK to save it.
15.	Choose File > Save to save your work.

Converting selections to paths

Now you’ll create a second path using a different method. First you’ll use a selection tool to select a similarly colored area, and then you’ll convert the selection to a path. (You can convert any selection made with a selection tool into a path.)

1.	Click the Layers palette tab to display the palette, and then drag the Template layer to the Trash button at the bottom of the palette. You no longer need this layer.
2.	Select the magic wand tool ().
3.	In the Magic Wand tool options bar, make sure that the Tolerance value is 32.
4.	Carefully click the black area inside one of the saucer’s vertical fins.
5.	Shift+click inside the other fin to add that black area to the selection.
6.	Click the Paths palette tab to bring the Paths palette to the front. Then click the Make Work Path From Selection button () at the bottom of the palette. The selections are converted to paths, and a new Work Path is created. Note If desired, adjust the points on the path, using the tools and techniques you’ve learned.
7.	Double-click the Work Path, and name it Fins; then click OK to save the path.
8.	Choose File > Save to save your work.

Converting paths to selections

Just as you can convert selection borders to paths, you can convert paths to selections. With their smooth outlines, paths let you make precise selections. Now that you’ve drawn paths for the space ship and its fins, you’ll convert those paths to a selection and apply a filter to the selection.

1.	In the Paths palette, click the Saucer path to make it active.
2.	Convert the Saucer path to a selection using either of the following methods: On the Paths palette menu, choose Make Selection, and then click OK to close the dialog box that appears. Drag the Saucer path to the Load Path As Selection button () at the bottom of the Paths palette. Next, you’ll subtract theFins selection from the Saucer selection so that you can see the background change through the vacant areas in the fins.
3.	In the Paths palette, click the Fins path; then on the Paths palette menu, choose Make Selection.
4.	In the Operation area of the Make Selection dialog box, select Subtract from Selection, and click OK.

The Fins path is simultaneously converted to a selection and subtracted from the Saucer selection.

Leave the paths selected because you’re going to use the selection in the next procedure.

Subtracting the Fins selection from the Saucer selection

Result