Lesson 10. Vector Masks, Paths, and Shapes

You can make simple illustrations using vector paths in Adobe Photoshop or Adobe ImageReady. Working with vectors allows you to create shapes, which can be filled or stroked, and use vector masks to control what is shown in an image. This lesson will introduce you to advanced uses of vector shapes and vector masks.

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to do the following:

• Differentiate between bitmap and vector graphics.

• Draw and edit layer shapes and layer paths.

• Describe and use the thumbnails and link icon for a shape layer.

• Create complex layer shapes by combining or subtracting different shapes.

• Combine vector paths to create a shape.

• Use edit mode to add and edit a text layer.

• Use a text layer to create a work path.

• Use a work path to create a vector mask.

• Load and apply custom layer shapes.

This lesson will take about 60 minutes to complete. The lesson is designed to be done in Adobe Photoshop, but information on using similar functionality in Adobe ImageReady is included where appropriate.

If needed, remove the previous lesson folder from your hard drive, and copy the Lesson10 folder onto it from the Adobe Photoshop 7.0 Classroom in a Book CD.