"Controlled" Rounding of Vector Shape Corners

I know how to drag the corner box to vary the amount of curve in a rounded corner rectangle, but is there a way to set the value, similar to numeric transform?
If you are making lots of rounded corner shapes... like for buttons throughout the site, and containers, say for content areas, it would be handy to be able to set the amount of roundness exactly, so all are pixel perfect the same.

Starting from the rectangle "primitive" vector shape there is a box that appears at the bottom of the property inspector in the stroke section under texture labeled roundness that controls the radius of the curve as described by Pete-1967 above.
Starting from the auto vector shape. rounded rectangle, that roundness selector in the property inspector disappears. It would seem only natural to include that control in that location for that shape. It may have something to do with the difference between primitive shapes, those three that appear first in menu under the vector shapes tool and auto shapes. As noted above, the auto shapes are controlled in the auto shape properties panel, which is not opened automatically in the expanded mode, but can be found unded Window --> Auto Shape Properties.
My initial confision over this stems from a couple of user interface issues inherant in Fireworks CS4. Firstly, and Jim Babbage warns about this either in his greatClassroom In A Book, or his equally excellent videos located on Lynda.com.... I could just here his voice chiding me when realized my mistake after posting this thread... ( I can't remeber everthything!! ) the properties inspector has three states controlled by the little arrows next to " Properties". The properties inspector can be completely rolled up with only the tab showing, halfway rolled up with only the top half of the properties inspector showing and all the way unfurled completely showing all the available controls. There is NO indication to the user that there is more information hiding when it is half way open. I had it in that state, and therefor could not find the controls pointed out in this thread by Pete. Adobe should put a visual que, like one uses on a nested menu, for example, to que the user that there is more information hiding, and a click on the control is required to reveal it.
Thanks to Dave, I found the auto shapes properties panel.... should have looked harder I guess, but wouldn't it make more sense from a UI ease of use standpoint to put auto shape PROPERTIES in the PROPERTIES inspector? Oh well, now I know where it is
These Adobe programs are great... they are also vast, so when I forget where something is, or can't find something, it's a pleasure to be able to come here get pointed in the right direction. This post is intended clearify this thread to help others who may arrive here in the future.
The Properties Inspector Halfway Open:
The Properties Inspector All the way Open:
The Auto Shapes Properties Panel: Window --> Auto Shape Properties:

Similar Messages

Round rect Vector Shapes

Round rectangles created with the vector shape tool have very
poor
looking rounded corners (if you stretch them in the length
more than the
height). Correcting them via the vector shape tool is almost
impossible
for small shapes. I tried to use ps2vs but this tool seems to
need
Director8.
Is there any better way to get nice round edges on a vector
shape or is
there any other tool to import other formats.

I found out that moving the points with the cursor keys give
good
results in creating round corners. But I'am still interested
in a good
converter for current Director versions.

Round corners of vector shape?

Ive drawn a vector shape (a triangle), how can I round the pointy edges? Ideally I would do this numerically and be able to change it for all points on the fly. Thanks

While there's no way to add "live" rounded corners to arbitrary shapes, you can modify rounded corners manually by using Sharpen Points, which is the button just to the left of Fillet Points. You can select two points that result in a rounded corner, click Sharpen Points, and it will miter them into a single point, then you can apply a new rounding value.
Aaron Beall
http://fireworks.abeall.com

Can i edit a vector shape after it's been deselected?

can i edit a vector shape after it's been deselected?
the properties palette seems to loose it's values apart from density and feather. Can I not return to a shape to add rounded corners etc?

That's because you're on the mask pane instead of the object properties pane in the properties panel.
Look at the icons at the top of the panel that show different panes.

Best way to make a clipping mask with indesign drawn vector shapes?

What is the best way to create a clipping mask with vector art that is drawn inside of indesign?
I have a group of vector shapes to paste into a rounded corner box. This art is grouped.
What i tried:
-create the rounded corner box i want the art inside
-cut art
-edit > paste-into
This worked, but i could not figure out how to move the artwork once it was pasted into the shape. With the direct select tool i could move the individual objects, but not the group of objects. Any ideas?
Is this the best way to acomplish what i'm trying to do?
Thanks!

Yopu don't mention the version of ID, which makes a difference here.
Paste Into is correct. In CS5 you can then use the content grabber donut to move the group inside the frame. In all versions you should be able to select the frame, tehn use Object > Select > Content to get the group, or use the button for that onthe Control Panel. Before CS5 you'll need to use the arrow keys or grab the center spot withthe mouse to move the group.

CS4 Vector shapes look pixelated

I'm new here. In fact I just signed up to get help with this issue.
Anyway. In school last semester, I took a computer art class in which we made things in Photoshop CS4. Now that the semester is over, I took my work home with me (I also have PS CS4). Anyway, one of the exercises we did was creating vector art. In school, the vectors that I made turned out fine. The edges were clearly defined and there where no real issues to be see. However, when I took it home to look at it, I noticed that all of the vector shapes and lines look pixilated... as if I drew them with a brush or something.
Here is a screenshot of what it looks like in CS4:
Also, for clarification, here is another example:
First, the new image settings:
Red elipse:
Zoomed in:
Anyway, I admit to not being 100% knowledgeable in the program... so it might just be a silly simple mistake or setting that I don't have checked or something. Any help would be appreciated as this issue is really annoying me.
Also, if it matters, my computer is much better standing that the ones we used in school.

Two things:
First, if the Vector Mask path is active in the Paths panel, the path will be visible. This can cause the edges of shapes to look raggedy.
The main culprit, though, is that you need to view the image at 100% (Control+Alt+ZERO, 'Actual Pixels' in the Zoom tool Option Bar) for the shapes to look smooth. Very often, viewing at other than 100% can cause visible artifacts to appear on the screen that aren't actually in the image.

Simplifying/smoothing a vector shape... how?

Is there any way to "simplify" an existing vector shape layer by somehow "averaging out" curves to remove as much of the unnecessary anchors as possible?
For instance, a simple sphere can be just 4 anchors. The one I'm working with has 100 anchors. The vast majority of them are useless, and only make the shape look uneven upon close (zoom-in) inspection. If there was an option, perhaps one with a slider ever, that allowed me to "simplify" this vector shape by removing anchors and adjusting angles to compensate, it would help me a great deal.

No, not really. But you could try converting the shape into a selection and then back into a shape. This will likely end up with a shape that has far fewer control points, but it won't be perfect and you'll still have to clean things up a bit, but it will proably be easier to move five points then try to remove 96.

Double-clicking a transparent vector shape pretends like it's going to let you change the fill type

One thing that's irritating/confusing/non-intuitive about the new vector layers is that, if your vector layer has no fill, then double-clicking on the layer will bring up the controls for whatever type of fill you had before changing it to "no fill". That part is a bit confusing, but not too bad. The bigger problem is that, if you then try to change the fill from those controls, the vector shape remains unchanged after you click OK. So in other words, if my vector shape currently has no fill, and I double click it and select a new color from the color picker, obviously I want the shape to have that new color when I click OK, but instead nothing happens.
For those who like to answer questions that were not asked , I am aware that you can (finally!) change the fill type by clicking the appropriate fill button in the Options bar. I'm not talking about that right now.
I think the option to change the type of fill should be available in the color picker window, the gradient fill window, and the pattern fill window, so you can switch fill types on the fly.

Thanks for the feedback.
The best (and recommended) way to change the fill of a shape layer is to use the option bar panels for the vector tools. These are going to give you the best up-to-date shape layer controls.
But we left in the legacy behavior of double-clicking on the layer thumbnail to change the fill options as a way of easing the transition to the new shape layers. We didn't make any changes to these dialogs or their overall behavior, which is why they don't allow you to change the fill type and why the layer appearance doesn't update if the fill is set to None in the options bar.

Tweening dynamic vector shapes

So I am wanting to blend/morph/tween a sequence that gives a
rectangle the appearance that it is "snapping" in place by bowing
and pinching the shape. Hopefully this image helps explain it.
http://members.optusnet.com.au/expansiondesign/Picture%201.png
Just imagine that the blend is happening in the one spot;
that the 4 shapes are sitting on top of each other.
Ignore the colour.
The only way I know how to do this is with frame by frame
animation and exporting/importing each image step from illustrator.
But I've done that before and it is too tedious.
I thought maybe there was someway to edit the points of a
vector shape at different keyframes?
Thanks

vertexList is the property you that you can control for a
vector member.
A quick demo at:
http://www.directoratnight.com/2006/08/22/vertexlists-go-morphing/
and here is a quick behavior that will tweak a rectangle
property pSprite
property pMem
property pW, pH, pD, pTheta
property pCounter
on beginSprite me
pSprite = sprite(me.spriteNum)
pMem = pSprite.member
pW = 200.
pH = 100.
pD = 20.
pCounter = 0
end
on exitFrame me
pTheta = pCounter * pi() / 180.
me.setToShape()
pCounter = pCounter + 5
if pCounter > 180 then
pCounter = -180
end if
end
on setToShape me
p1 = point(-pW, -pH)/2
h11 = pD * point(cos(pTheta), -sin(pTheta))
h12 = pD * point(-cos(pTheta), sin(pTheta))
p2 = point(pW, -pH)/2
h21 = pD * point(cos(pTheta), sin(pTheta))
h22 = pD * point(-cos(pTheta), -sin(pTheta))
p3 = point(pW, pH)/2
h31 = pD * point(-cos(pTheta), sin(pTheta))
h32 = pD * point(cos(pTheta), -sin(pTheta))
p4 = point(-pW, pH)/2
h41 = pD * point(-cos(pTheta), -sin(pTheta))
h42 = pD * point(cos(pTheta), sin(pTheta))
aL1 = [#vertex:p1, #handle1:h11, #handle2:h12]
aL2 = [#vertex:p2, #handle1:h21, #handle2:h22]
aL3 = [#vertex:p3, #handle1:h31, #handle2:h32]
aL4 = [#vertex:p4, #handle1:h41, #handle2:h42]
myVertexList = [ aL1, aL2, aL3, aL4]
pMem.vertexList = myVertexList
end

How to programmatically create this vector shape?

I have a cardboard cut-out of something I want to create.
See picture?
I've taken a picture and made a vector outline that I'm satisfied with.
Initial vector shape!
Now to get those holes, there's a variety of ways to do it... but I want accuracy, so does anyone have a suggestion how to pull it off?
Methods to achieve the evenly spaced holes inside the piece?
1 - SLOPPY - Draw each segment by hand, using photo as a background reference.
2 - SLOPPY - Draw a rounded corner rectangle then duplicate/scale/edit it for each segment.
3 - SLOPPY - Bring prepared photo in and use Illustrator's LiveTrace feature to convert the shapes into vector. I tried, with variations. Have to tweak each individual segment after.
4 - PREFERRED - Somehow tell the computer to generate X number of objects along Y path, making them smaller and smaller.
Method 4 can almost be done in a number of ways...
4a-Make a rounded corner rectangle, duplicate it off in a straight row, group them together, then use something like Warp.
4b-Make a rounded corner rectangle, duplicate it off in a straight row, group the together, then use 3d extrude & rotate and extract the results.
4c-Make a rounded corner rectangle, use Transform and replicate it X times and adjust horizontal/vertical positioning and scale.
I like 4c but still not close. How can I restrict it to be along a pre-determined path (an arc)? Like text-on-path tool, but with shapes, and scaling down progressively like a warp.
Anyone have any advice?
I need/want precision because this is a part that will be cut out of a CNC machine for something that'll be at a tradeshow.

We need a better understanding of your understanding of terms like "accuracy," "evenly spaced," and "precision."
If I interpret "accuracy" to mean "true to the original raster image," then I would use method #1. It's "sloppy" only if you do not know how to use Illustrator drawing tools.
The blend tool might get you to method #4, but you will be constrained as to spacing and shape progression.
Note that you can replace the spine of a blend with a path you've created.

Scaling layer styles on a vector shape

How do you get the Layer styles to scale as you transform, on a vector shape, to a larger scale, so that the larger shape has the same look at the smaller version?
Thanks

Not possible. Layer styles are applied to rasterized pixels even for vector layers and have no knowledge of your intentions. Duplicate the image, resize it using the image size dialog with the option to scale layer styles, copy&paste the resized result back to your source document. To my knowledge the only reliable way. You may still need to adjust the layer style, though, as several of them do not use sub-pixel precision and may be rounded of to the wrong next value, making it look goofy.
Mylenium

How do I automate global vector shape, mask & path transfers to Illustrator?

Using: WIN7, Adobe CS5, PS, AI (but others may appreciate answers for CS6, etc.)
When I need to move a project from Photoshop to Illustrator, I need an automated way to prep shape and vector mask items for export--preferably preserving the structure and layout that already exists as layer names and order, character and paragraph settings, and of course global registration. My scripting is limited to recording actions, so I need to find an existing script or get coached on this. Any recommendations?
I have googled and waded through numerous forum posts trying to research this on my own, so I know about the ability to export my path collection, but that's usually inapplicable in reality. It only deals with vectors from the Paths pallette. In Photoshop, I use the Paths pallet to store master and WIP paths, but all the working paths are either shapes or vector masks--or active type layers. Often enough that it's become an issue, I'll need to move the whole project to Illustrator. Obviously, the process has issues; I'm not expecting the rastor layers or Photoshop styles to carry over, but I see no reason why I can't capture text, shape and vector mask elements.
They all have a vector component, but simply opening a PSD in Illustrator flattens (badly) the layers. I select the "Convert Layers as Objects" but have yet to see it extract editable text. I'm not sure if it even attempts to do anything with vector shapes or masks. I've got a process for moving a project one element at a time, using registration marks--but this requires turning text into shapes most of the time, especially if I am trying to preserve kerning and leading crucial to the layout. Maybe I just have not found the right info, and there is a way to transfer editable text without losing character and paragraph settings. I'd love to hear about it.
For now, I'd be happy to stop wasting time doing a ton of conversions and renaming by hand, just so I can preserve the work I've already invested.
One suggestion, posted under a multiple path export question, was to use scripting... but no one explored or explained how to go about it. I'm not asking for the impossible, however. I simply need help working out my own solution: if there is no application method for transferring the elements, try to script a method to prep those elements for export. Before I even attempt to reinvent someone's wheel, I am putting the question out there:
Does anyone know of a solution that already exists?
I appreciate hearing your advice and thank you for giving this some attention!
edit: I kept at it and managed to open my current project PSD in AI with text and shape/mask vectors successfully--not as cleanly as I'd hoped but the relative positioning of things was acceptable. I am still interested in hearing people's suggestions on better ways to transfer work from one tool to the other, though. I know this is going to come up for me again and again...
Thanks!

Hi,
It sounds like you have gotten this working for your project, but you might look at this thread for a few different solutions. http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1045757

Can you blur vector shapes in Photoshop without rasterizing?

Is there a way to blur vector shapes in Photoshop, similar to the way Illustrator does, without having to rasterizing the layer? I am working with a very large file that has been scaled from 300dpi to 50 in order to manage it while working. I will sclae back to 300 dpi before sending to printer. Rasterized images will soften as you know which i guess is ok when it comes to a blurred shape, now that i think about it. But for future reference?
Thanks,
DM

In the layer of interest make sure the vector mask is selected. Then in the Masks panel adjust the feather slider to an amount that looks right.
Paulo

How do I change the units for the vector shape stroke in the option bar?

I work with vector shapes very often in Photoshop. In CS6, they have added the stroke and fill tools in the option bar.
If I open a file with vector shapes that was created in CS5, the stroke defaults to 3pt. I would prefer it to default to pixels instead of points. I have found that if I change the settings prior to creating a new shape, it retains those attributes for all future shapes. However, if I am working on an older file, and would like to use this tool, it is frustrating to have to change this unit every time.
Any assistance would be helpful. Thanks!

Every time I move the volume, it moves back!
Check, if you have a volume automation set on the software instrument track.
If the track volume automation curve is enabled, the volume slider for the track will move with the automation curve.
Click the automation curves disclosure triangle in the track header and disable the volume automation.

Vector shapes suddenly looks jagged when exported from InDesign to pdf

I've read several discussions on pdf export topics but none of them seem to solve this issue. I have an indesign document with multiple pages, its both vector shapes, text and pixel graphics. I worked on this for weeks and I exported this document to pdf numerous times and it all looked good every time I did it. All of a sudden I started to get a very bad looking export, just out of the blue the shapes, logos etc got this jagged look and it looks aweful - see my enclosed examples.
I have done nothing to my pdf export setup, InDesign setup or any screen preferances. It's just a mystery to me. It seems to be hurting all my sirculare shapes and not my text in general! Every pixel image / photography exports perfect to pdf. My page display is set to smooth text rendering in my pdf preferences. What's up? What puzzles me is this happened so sudden after numerous fine exports. I'm using InDesign CS6.
This is the O in a logo that's been placed on a page. The right one is what I get when I export to pdf now, the left one is what I used to get

John, your are very wrong about post #2. I personally had a rendering problem that was all solved by setting the opacity to 99.9% - it was exported horribly but fixed by this operation. You can read other user stories that confirms this too. But this is not the same issue so let's leave it at that. I just wanted to mention it in terms of having jagged exports.
There's been no updates thats been changing the Acrobat settings. Acrobat has a default setting in terms of page display that I haven't changed ever as a matter of fact. I shared that info in case someone asked. I'm not connected to any printer, the file is for screen view and third partie receivers can print if they need to (I'm not connected to any printer at work, there's a no print policy). Watching the corporate identity material look terrible on the screen is hardly something a marketing manager likes to do and I don't wanna be the designer responsible for that. So all I want is to solve this mystery and get things back to how it was just two days ago. As described nothing is changed in terms of technical things AND the same terrible results occur when opening a new indd file with a new vector file and exporting that. So the error is not connected to a spesific document or file.
I remember having export rendering problems of all kinds in CS3, CS4 and CS5, it was all sort of quirky operations I had to do to solve them. Once I actually sat on the phone talking to a technical advisor at Adobe in Ireland while he was trying to explain that this was one of those weak spots of InDesign vs Acrobat. I was emailed a script, if that's not a bugfix I don't know what is. He tried to explain how to embedd the file into the installation setup but the end of the story was a full CS4 MA Collection refund. I'm trying to avoid placing foreign calls this time around and nothing has helped so far. I've been reading endless forum threads different places that describes the problem I have but they never end up with a solution for InDesign CS6 and export routines. It's just a series of errors and questions. I've turned the stone a million times, but all I see is...stone

"Controlled" Rounding of Vector Shape Corners

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