Week 12 Discussion Post

November 15, 2014

If you have used the pen tool before:

  • Why is the pen tool (vector tool) an option in a typically raster program like PhotoShop?
  • Have you used the pen tool before in Illustrator and/or PhotoShop? How so? What’s your favorite way to use it?
  • After watching the videos this week and reading from your Martin book, what tip(s) did you find interesting?
  • Answer after class on Thursday: After listening to our guest speaker, what are two tips/pieces of advice you found interesting or helpful?

If you haven’t really used the pen tool before:

  • Why is the pen tool (vector tool) an option in a typically raster program like PhotoShop?
  • In your in-class assignment from last week where you had to experiment with it- what did you think? How do you think you could use the pen tool in the future?
  • After watching the videos this week and reading from your Martin book, what tip(s) did you find interesting?
  • Answer after class on Thursday: After listening to our guest speaker, what are two tips/pieces of advice you found interesting or helpful?

While I’ve used Photoshop for more than 15 years, I hadn’t ever really used the Pen Tool until this year. I first started using it in the summer when we learned Illustrator. It took me a while to grasp the way points and handles worked, but after tracing a few graphics to create vector-based images, I saw the potential and actually started to enjoy using the tool (although it does still intimidate me, from time to time). Personally, I enjoy using the Pen Tool to recreate an image to then make my modifications, recoloring, adjusting specific characteristics, that sort of thing.

I certainly see the value of the Pen Tool in Photoshop as it does help create pixel-based drawings. I used the tool in this week’s Design Showcase assignment to create a custom graphic “by hand” if you will. Additionally, after seeing the videos from this week’s lessons, the ability to use the Pen Path Tool to make specific selections within a layer was very cool and helpful. Additionally, I always find the “shift” key very helpful in drawing straight lines where needed between two points.

Form our guest speaker this week, I found his references to sketching a great reminder of how to start the creative process, and I applied to the creation of my infographic. Additionally, his use of lighting as his favorite tool was clear in both the examples Todd shared. I also found his experiences with the time it takes from initial project assignment to production, as well as the steps/reviews along the way both insightful, and somewhat reassuring as the processes I encounter are not nearly as challenging.

Overall, a very helpful week/session for a great tool within Photoshop and Adobe.

Post Tags:

Pen Tool, Photoshop, VIC5325,