Paths in PS

[littlekiwi]

Please help me understand what they are etc. I was using a template from One Little Bird the other week and needed to alter the size/shape of the existing journaling block and was faced with "paths" for the first time. I ended up deleting the existing journaling spot and starting over but for the future I'd love to know a bit more about them and how to modify existing ones in particular.

If anyone is wondering this is the template in question

 

[gonewiththewind]

@littlekiwi

Adobe has this basic information about paths: Understanding Shapes and Paths.

There are a few tutorials available in our Alphabetical Listing of Tutorials under Fonts/Text.

 

[littlekiwi]

Thanks @gonewiththewind, paths still look like a foreign language to me even after looking at the links so I think for now I'll keep doing what I am doing for the few templates that have used paths as it does work (just takes a bit longer probably)

 

[cfile]

@littlekiwi as Cheryl @gonewiththewind gave you the link to the alpha list of tutorials in the learning pad under fonts.. they are all very good. This one by Farrah @FarrahJobling is probably the best to get you started but you can make any shape even with the polygonal lasso and then use that path or shape for text. https://the-lilypad.com/forum/threads/journaling-text-ideas.42377/

 

[Cath_]

i glad you asked, hope those links might show how to edit the points of path. i have made boxes before , for recipe, but never figure how to edit the points

 

[littlekiwi]

@cfile I don't actually want to create any paths, its more that I want to edit existing paths (if that is in fact possible)

 

[cfile]

@cfile I don't actually want to create any paths, its more that I want to edit existing paths (if that is in fact possible)

when you edit a path as in the template you are reflecting (I used OLB's flight 1 template) , there are bounding boxes... the line with the square at the 12/3/6 and 9 spots like on a clock... you can adjust it from there .

Or text on an actual path:

Hope this helps.. sorry or the typos

 

[cfile]

i glad you asked, hope those links might show how to edit the points of path. i have made boxes before , for recipe, but never figure how to edit the points

hold down the shift on the point and slide it to right or left and that will edit the points of the path

 

[littlekiwi]

Thank you @cfile, that helps. This was the first time I had used a template with a path

 

[cfile]

Thank you @cfile, that helps. This was the first time I had used a template with a path

Glad I could help. I think you do not realize it ie: saying it is the first template with a path..... I know Cheryl's templates always have the journal areas (text boxes / paths) that are this way.. they may be just square. or even Soco's are like that.. I make my own when I am making pages which is easy.. take a look at that link from the learning pad that Farrah did for additional info.

 

[littlekiwi]

Glad I could help. I think you do not realize it ie: saying it is the first template with a path..... I know Cheryl's templates always have the journal areas (text boxes / paths) that are this way.. they may be just square. or even Soco's are like that.. I make my own when I am making pages which is easy.. take a look at that link from the learning pad that Farrah did for additional info.

I tend to delete journaling boxes and make my own, this was one that went around a cluster so I wanted to use it and make it longer as I was taking part of the cluster out and shifting it down

 

[cfile]

I tend to delete journaling boxes and make my own, this was one that went around a cluster so I wanted to use it and make it longer as I was taking part of the cluster out and shifting it down

then go with your font tool.. place your cursor on one of the words and then with your mouse go to one of the boxes and hold down the shift and drag the direction you need to make it bigger.

 

[KimJ]

I don't have the template you listed, but I'm assuming it's not just a rectangular text box, but a custom text path to accommodate wrapping around the elements at the bottom.

To edit a path you use the Path Selection Tool (black arrow tool icon) and/or the Direct Selection Tool (white arrow tool icon). They are shortcut A, use Shift-A to switch back and forth between the two.

The Path Selection Tool treats the entire path as one piece. You can drag the path around or transform it using Ctrl-T like you would any other layer.

The Direct Selection Tool allows you to select individual points and move them separately or use the handles on the point to change its behavior. If you want to work with multiple points (like two corners to nudge one side of a shape), you can drag a box around the points to select them or shift-click to select additional points. I hope that makes sense.

These tools work on all vector shapes/paths. If you right click while using either tool, you will also get a popup with a list of operations that are relevant to the spot you clicked (delete anchor point, transform points, etc.).

Hope that helps!

 

[littlekiwi]

Thanks @KimJ you are right, it isn't a rectangular text box....if it was I'd probably be fine

 

[mary kate]

Thank you for the great tips, @cfile and @KimJ (and thank you for asking about paths in the first place, @littlekiwi). I love text paths, but I often have trouble with them: I always want to replace the designer's font with my own choice of font, which sometimes messes up the spacing and formatting. I guess I need to learn how to edit/move the points.

 

[littlekiwi]

I always want to replace the designer's font with my own choice of font, which sometimes messes up the spacing and formatting. I guess I need to learn how to edit/move the points.

Glad I'm not the only one that has this type of issue!

 

[Cath_]

oh i need to save above info somehow, thank you for tips