Using vector designs in Photoshop
Ok, let's see if I can explain this without confusing myself. :D
Unfortunately, Photoshop doesn't import any vector formats. Photoshop does
open many vector based formats (PDF, AI, EPS) but when it opens them it automatically flattens and rasterizes the image. This destroys the vector objects and turns the data into a pixel based image. But PS does give you a set of tools for creating your own vector objects that can be quite handy for certain types of images.
A vector in Photoshop is simply a group of points and lines used to define objects within your image. Same as any vector you might find in any "normal" vector based graphics program (Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia Flash, Corel Draw, CAD programs, etc.).
As a very simple illustration of one of the possible uses of vectors in PS, take note of the following example. I'm going to show you a very basic, 2 layer image.. Each layer contains a simple layer mask that will define what parts of the layer are visible. However, instead of the mask layers being the typical grayscale image, we're going to use
vector masks to define what's hidden and what's visible on each layer.
First, let's make a vector shape. I'm going to use the Polygon Tool.
Go to the Polygon Tool options and set it to Star & indent sides by 50%, I'll then set it to way too many sides ;)…
Then create my vector shape. Actually before I make the shape, let's look over the different vector modes. We have 3;
Shape Layers,
Paths, and
Fill Pixels. Ignore
Fill Pixels, it's pretty much useless AFAIC.
Shape Layers will automatically place your vector object on a solid color filled layer as a vector mask. And
Paths will allow you to simply create vector shapes all by themselves. You can then use those shapes for whatever you want (to make a vector mask, to define the shape of a selection, etc.) We're going to use
Shape Layers in this example.
So, I have my Polygon Tool, and my mode set to Shape Layer, now I'll create my shape.
And there you have it. A multi-sided polygon, or multi-pointed star if you will. As is standard in PS, when creating the object you can use the SHIFT, ALT, CTRL keys to control aspects of the object (like holding SHIFT will keep the aspect ratio perfectly square). Making this object has created a solid color fill layer using my current foreground color (black) and it's using the vector shape as a layer mask for this layer.
Ok….so…you may be wondering, what's so cool about vectors? What's the big deal?
Well for one thing, working with vector shapes you can do some pretty cool stuff. Watch…
I do like my many pointed star here, but it's a little mundane. Let's tinker with the shape and try to give it a little more pizzazz. First thing I'm going to do is switch to my Direct/Path Selection Tools. (The Direct Selection Tool allows you to select individual nodes or points of the object, while the Path Selection Tool will select an entire object.)
Then, to make the vector much easier to work with, I'm gong to turn off this layer's visibility so the color won't obscure our view of the shape. In this next image you see two arrows. They show you where to click to 1.) turn off the layer's visibility, and 2.) show only the path (aka, the vector shape).
After that the only thing I see is the vector shape I'm working with:
Now using the Direct Selection Tool I'm going to highlight/select just the inner points of my star. This tool selects all the points that you drag a box around. And similar to the marquee selection tool, you just hold down SHIFT to add more points to your existing selection. Here's my star with the inner points selected:
Then I'll right-click and do "free transform points".
And as you can see here, I can now manipulate the inner points while the outer points remain anchored. Cool huh?
Linear Mode
