Paths

Photopedia

31 March 2009 16:59

Paths are created when using Photoshop’s Pen Tool. They are very simply vector-based line drawings that can be stretched and shaped around any subject with the use of Anchor points. Anchor points appear on screen as small grey squares and if you’re looking to make a Path around a specific subject, it’s these anchor points that should be positioned around the outside edge of your subject. To bend a Path around a subject, use the control points that break off from the anchor points to move the Path line into position.

Just like Layers, Paths have their own Palette in Photoshop and this can be accessed by going to Window > Paths. Inside the Paths Palette there are options to create a New Path, Fill a Path with Foreground Colour and Load a Path as a Selection. Importantly, Paths are saved with all file types, including TIFF, PSD and JPEG. This means you can return and alter any Paths at any time should you need to.