Lesson-6-Path-Mode-and-Path-Panel

Lesson Overview

• Exploring the Paths Panel and Paths Mode

Target Skills

• Paths Panel and Paths Mode

Objectives

• By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

  • Familiarize themselves with the Paths palette.

  • Create and Save Paths.

  • Type text in and/or on Paths.

Text Creation Activity

• Promote creativity using Paths and Text tools:

  • Allow students to create their own text paths.

  • Importance of saving paths for future use.

Working with the Paths Palette

• Paths Palette: Stores vector paths.

  • Distinction: Paths panel empty if no paths exist, unlike Layers and Channels which require layers or channels.

  • Accessing the Paths palette:

    • Click Windows > Paths or via the toolbar's Paths tab.

Paths Palette Functions

• Filling and Stroked Paths:

  • Fill path with foreground color: Fills path with current foreground color.

  • Stroke path with brush: Applies the current brush setting to the path.

  • Load path as selection: Converts path to selection (marching ants).

  • Make work path from selection: Converts current selection into a work path.

  • Create new path: Initiates a new path layer.

  • Delete current path: Removes selected path layer.

Creating and Managing Paths

• Creating a Path:

  • Use Pen Tool or Shape Tool to create a path appearing in the Paths Panel as a work path.

  • New paths are temporary until saved; saved paths will appear in the panel.

  • If the work path is deselected, a new path replaces the existing one.

Saving Paths

• Saving a Work Path:

  • Double-click the path layer in Paths palette or use "Save Path..." from the pop-up menu to rename and save.

• Path storage methods:

  • Save as a vector mask of a shape layer.

  • Rename paths to prevent loss during drawing.

Path Creation Modes

• Three Modes for Creating Paths:

  • Shape Layers:

    • Creates a new shape layer with current color and style set.

  • Paths Mode:

    • Forms a temporary work path accessible in the Paths Palette.

  • Fill Pixels Mode:

    • Creates a raster shape without keeping the vector path (available with Shape Tools).

Typing on Paths

• Two methods to use paths with the Type Tool:

  1. Define a baseline for the text.

  2. Create a custom text box shape.

• Implementation:

  • Select the work path to type along it; clicking inside a closed path lets the text conform to its shape.

  • Use the Path Selection Tool to adjust text endpoints and orientation (top/bottom).

Typography Overview

• Definition of Typography:

  • Arrangement of text on a page for readability, impact, or artistic statement.

• Fundamental Elements:

  • Combination of font, size, spacing, and color.

Typography Considerations

• Key Features in Typography:

  • Typefaces and Fonts: Examples include Helvetica, Times New Roman, Arial.

  • Typeface Classifications: Includes serif, sans-serif, monospaced, cursive, fantasy, and script.

  • Spacing Adjustments:

    • Kerning: Spacing between individual letters.

    • Tracking: Spacing between groups of letters.

  • Leading: Spacing between lines of text.

  • Measure: Distance of a line of text.

  • Alignment Options: Left, center, right, or justified.

  • Ligatures: Combining letters that are close together visually.