Pen tool Q

I don't have a problem making shapes and design in photoshop with the pen tool, but I'm having trouble figuring it out in illustrator.
I can't see all the anchor points or the handles when I have my path selected. I can scroll over my path with the convert anchor point tool and find an anchor, but it doesn't show the handles until I click on it. Once I click on it the handles go back to it's originally point of origin and I have to start over. I can't seem to figure out how to get all the anchor point to show up with the handles so I can edit each one individually.
How do I get all the anchor points and handles to show like I have it in photoshop? When I have the selection tool selected and I click in the path selection the artboard shows up and once I scroll over the path it turns blue and says path, unless I scroll over an anchor point, which it then says anchor. Please help and explain what you can.
I'm working with CS5 on a PC.

I have tried the direct selection tool. Yes, it selects the path but all the anchor points still don't show. I only see an anchor point when I scroll over one and when I click on one the next one in the path will also show. I can move the anchor point with the direct selection tool and manipulate the handles initially; once I unclick though the anchor and handles disappear so I can't manipulate the handles individually.

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LACK OF FULL PEN TOOL FUNCTIONALITY WHEN CREATING A SHAPE LAYER

Hello, I'm going through Chris Meyer's video course on being an AE apprentice and have spent over an hour on the following issue.
Here is what I know.
I know I am trying to create a shape layer, not a mask, to create a frame to surround the video of the green field on the attached screenshot. Therefore, I pressed "F2" to make sure I am doing so.
I want to define the borders of this picture frame by using the pen tool to draw a path on the layer entitled "Windy Peak".
I have highlighted that layer in my timeline.
This video was pasted on to a placeholder shape that I had created using Command Option "/" on my Mac.
I do have limited use of the pen tool, because it displays properly when I hover it above the borders of the video to be framed.
But I lack access to the toolbar controls I want to complete my assignment.
For example, I would like to create a gradient to define the internal coloration of this frame, but I have no use of the eyedropper when I click on the Color Picker.
Also, I am unable to access or manipulate any of the standard fill or stroke options for use of my pen.
This is what I know.
Thanks for your help! Matt
Message was edited by: Matt Dubuque to add the fact that the video had been pasted on to a placeholder shape image by pressing Command Option "/" on my Mac.

Thanks for pitching in Todd and Rick, I appreciate it very much.
As previously stated, I do have use of the pen tool, but it only has limited functionality as demonstrated by the path I created on the green meadow. My Tools Panel remains activated .
My core problem remains that I am unable to adjust the fill or stroke settings for my pen.
I have tried changing and resetting various work spaces and this has not helped.
I'm scratching my head here.
Matt

Capture with new MBP, plus Pen Tool Question...

Good Day everyone, I've searched the forums but have not been able to find my answer so I thought I'd post.
Question 1...
I've just received my new 17"MBP a few weeks ago. With my old PB, I would connect my camera via FW400 and capture the footage to an external LaCie drive via FW800 out of the computer.
Now with only one FW port on the MBP, it looks as though I need to capture via FW800 (4pin to 9pin) and go out to the LaCie via USB? Is this correct? How are any of you doing this. It bums me out that I can't go out FW800 to the drive. I suppose there is always the option of getting an Express Card 34 with FW800 connections?
Question 2...
Why can I not get my pen tool to work in the timeline? I want to adjust opacity and audio levels but am unable to do this. My old version of FCP (v5) seemed to let me do this. Overlays are 'on'? Any suggestions? I find it easier and faster to be able to do these functions from the timeline, there must be a way?
FYI...
New 17" MBP 2.66 w/4GB RAM
FCP (Studio2)
I'm sure question 2 is just something stupid that I just haven't set up.
Appreciate everyone's help as always!
Rene.

To be honest, nobody but Apple knows what Apple is thinking but usb is not a good alternative. I also don't know of too many professional post houses or broadcast studios that have anything to do with firewire infrastructure at all. You can get firewire 800 to firewire 400 adapter cables for cheap, search the internet. You can then daisy chain your camera/capture device in line with your storage device.
The better alternative is to get a express firewire card for your MacBook pro as you mentioned which would create two firewire buses; one for capturing, one for storage. Again, you can search the internet and here's a place to get you started http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Sonnet%20Technology/FW800E34/
I guess I would have thought maybe some research into a product of the expense of the MacBook Pro would have warranted some research about these things.

How can I get the Fireworks pen tool to disengage from an open path shape (and stay disengaged)!

I am so frustrated! I can't get the fireworks pen tool to disengage when I am finished creating an open path shape (double clicking the end-point isn't working). The only way I can disengage the pen tool is to click on a different tool, BUT ...if I do that (i.e., click on a different tool), and then go back to the pen tool (with the intent to create another open path shape), the pen tool automatically engages the last point of my prior open path shape ... and ... no matter what I do, I can't get the pen tool in Fireworks to stop doing this with my open path shapes.
If anyone has any helpful advice, it would be much appreciated!
Thank you!
(note: I prefer not to have to go back and forth creating open path shapes in Illustrator then bring them into Fireworks, but if all else fails, I suppose I'll have to as a work-around.)

Have you tried holding the Command key and clicking away from the last point? The Command (⌘) key will bring up the Subselection tool; clicking on the canvas with it will allow you to disengage from the path. Once you release the key, the Pen tool will return and you can begin another path.

How To Use The Pen Tool in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign CS6 | Creative Suite Podcast: Designers | Adobe TV

In this episode of the Adobe Creative Suite Podcast Terry White shows how to use the Pen Tool to create Art, Frames and to trace images in Photoshop CS6. If you've never used the Pen Tool before, this is your video!
http://adobe.ly/STegFg

With the pen tool in Indesign, is there a way of making the points not join if you want to make a few single lines?

Problem creating vector mask with Pen Tool

Using Photoshop CS5, Mac OS 10.6.8
I'm trying to create a simple vector mask using the pen tool to create a curved line at the top and bottom of a photo. Here's what I'm doing:
1. Create a new layer and select it.
2. Select Pen tool.
3. Choose "work path" by selecting button at top menu.
4. I draw my shape with the pen tool.
5. Now comes the problem... I can not select this shape, or assign it a color. When I create a clipping mask, it does not recognize my path. When I throw away the layer, the shape is still there in outline only. What am I missing here? I'm familiar with doing this in Illustrator, but I don't understand how it works in PSD.
I need some help, please.
Thanks.

The main thing i use paths for in photoshop is extracting objects from photos.
Other uses include stroking paths with the paint tools. For example, if you had
a powerline to remove, one could trace the line with the pen tool and then stroke
the path with spot healing brush set to content aware fill.
more info on photoshop paths:
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/photoshop/cs/using/WSfd1234e1c4b69f30ea53e41001031ab64-73ada.h tml
MTSTUNER

Photoshop CC - Making the Pen Tool on a new layer?

So I've never had this problem in previous versions of PS. When selecting the Pen Tool and drawing on the document usually leads to it making a new shape layer. However for some reason this option is greyed out in CC. As a workaround I've had to draw a shape box, then draw with the pen tool and delete the shape box afterwards. Is there a reason for this, a bug or something I'm missing?
Thanks

It should not be grayed out Pixels are grayed out.

How to select a shape from pen tool for paint bucket

I was under the notion that I could make a shape with the pen tool and if I closed the the shape it would then be selected in a way that would allow me to color the interior with paint bucket.
However, when I splash the paintbucket inside my shape, it paints the whole layer, not just the part inside my shape.
Obviously I don't understand how it is supposed to work.
Apparently I've gone at this the wrong way.. I want to create a freeform shape, that once created will be a selected region in the same way a rectangle or elips would.
What is the best way to do that? I'm shooting for thought bubble sort of shape, something along the line of the outline of an egg, but with a tail at one end.

Added tips from Tip Merchant ($200 consulation fee)
- on mac - command/ numeric keypad Enter turns the path into a selection. Option delete then fills.
- an action can be setup to bring up Fill Path from the Path panel menu. Just pressing enter fills with FG color
These are ways to avoid he paths panel altogether. Best way may be to use the TINY fill path icon in that panel as was pointed out by John

Pen Tool Troubles

I should probably start by saying that I am a novice PS user. Yesterday I was using the pen tool, for a school assignment, to trace around parts of a picture in order to make a vector illustration. It was working fine for a while, but now when I click to start a new shape, it immediately closes that shape, and the next click opens another layer. In other words, instead of being able to draw a line, every click is seen as the start of a new shape, and opens a new layer. I tried restarting PS, restarting the computer, resetting the tools. I don't know what to do next. It's possible that I accidentally clicked on something, somewhere, and changed a setting I should have, but I have no idea what. Also, it happened within an hour of my trial period ending, and signing up for CC Photography. Might that have anything to do with it? Can someone please help me? Thanks.

Never mind. Of course, the minute I make a desperate post is when I finally figure out what the problem is. Apparently it had something to do with the fact that I was trying to create a new shape while inside an existing group. Once I selected a folder instead of a layer inside the folder, it started working again. Why Adobe would design it this way is beyond me, but at least I can continue with my assignment now. Thanks anyway. :-)

Pen Tool and Pathfinder Problems

Help.....I am trying to follow a tutorial creating a leaf vector image(first time) I use the pen tool to draw the curve in a an elipse shape and then divide in pathfinder but it always adds an extra line when I hit the pathfinder button from the last pointto the first and fills my path instead of remaining as one line that I can remove from the shape...anyone help please.

This is a link to the tutorial....http://vector.tutsplus.com/tutorials/text-effects/creating-an-environmentally-friendly-gre en-type-treatment/comment-page-5/
It is part 3, divide. The image shows what happens after I hit divide in pathfinder, prior to that it is just a single line path with 2 anchor points using pen tool from left to right. I know its basic but its frustrating as helland I am sure its a simple fix!. Thanks so much for looking

Pen Tool Question...

The Pen Tool is my favorite / go to selection tool. But can it do the following...
I've made a path and converted it to a selection, then filled the area with a color or texture (on it's own layer).
Now I find that I need to adjust (fine tune) the shape I've created / filled with color or texture to better fit how / where it's being used. Is is possible to invoke the path handles and get it to adjust the filled area as you move / adjust the path. (This is not a shape, not using the shape tool.)
I can select the filled path / layer and free transform but that does not give me a fine enough adjustment.
Puppet Warp doesn't really fit the bill either.
A good example of what I want to achieve is similar to when you put type on a path. When you adjust the path the type moves to conform to the changes in the path. I want to do the same thing with the area I filled using the path.
Possible??
If not, this would be a great feature request!!!
thanks folks for any input
JeffN

c.pfaffenbichler
Just to follow up on your answer....
Yes this works very well for what I'm trying to accomplish.
Thanks again.
Just an fyi, I'm also a NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals) member.
I posted my same question on the NAPP forum. I still haven't gotten a response for anyone over there.
I'm not knocking NAPP, it's a great organization and I've been a member since 2006.
But I'm pleased with how much faster answers to questions come from this Adobe Photoshop forum.
Keep up the good work!!
JeffN

Pen Tool newbie has some questions

I put off learning how to control the Pen Tool far too long, but recently, I dug in & spent about 4 hours getting the hang of it. After about an hour, I had the basics, so I decided to practice on a complex outline. I spent several hours outlining a very intricate object with great precision. The tool was set on Path. What I did not realize is the Path I was creating was not being saved when I saved my work. It completely disappeared when I closed the file, much to my dismay. So obviously, I missed something in the instructions. Here are my questions:
1. How should I have saved my Path?
2. My goal was to complete a complex outline & use it for a mask or selection to remove the background - to extricate a complex object from a complex background. Was Path the best setting for this goal? What if I had used Shape, or Pixel Fill?
I really loved the control the tool gave me, like a digital Exacto knife, but would appreciate some suggestions to help further my exploration of the Pen Tool.

"I dug in & spent about 4 hours getting the hang of it."
That should be enough, for one day that is. Keep with it. Use it often over the next few years. Take on jobs that need paths. You will find the pen tool to be one of Photoshop's most valuable tools.
Best,
Ken

Pen Tool - PS CS4

I don't know if I found a bug, or if it's just something I need to do differently, but the pen tool is not creating a new layer.
It just seems to be there. I can modify the shape with the direct selection tool. But I can't apply a layer style or do any other modifications. It does not have a bounding box when I select the move tool.
It's the weirdest thing... Anyone else experience this?

I am having trouble with the pen tool in Cs4,
It has been fine but then after a few hours I have been having
a problem with the selection line (that it leaves behind) is not there?? is there something in the View / paths that I am missing?
And at the same time,my viewing line that falls behind the magnetic tool is not working!
It is driving me crazy and I know it is something so simple
that I am not doing...
Thanks to anyone that can shed some info
Regards Nick

11 Nice Features with New Awesome & easy Magnetic Pen Tool (Updated)

1.      Scale effects during the scaling object, in the control bar there is more space (Empty) that will be the helpful to show you the example of the picture that I have made myself, when you transform any object, you will see these options in the control bar.
2.      Save preset of filters in filter gallery:- will be really powerful, it must be exchangeable so that we could send that preset to any one, it must be applicable on percentage(%) of document size, (depends on document resolution).
3.     Filter gallery must be the (live filter gallery), if this works on any raster object without converting to smart object, this will be helpful for creating live PSD.
4.     History panel:- history panel must save the history of document. It will be helpful and powerful, we could apply that history to any document like actions, and history should not be saved with document itself, it must be separate like actions, create 2 arrows in the bottom of panel like layer combs’ panel, to check the history, if any step is wrong we could be able to remove that step,
                              OR
5. Also create/convert history into action, see the pic as example,
If (to Adobe Photoshop Team) history saving is not a good idea! Then before closing the document you must convert history into actions, when any person saves document and has forgotten converting history into actions and wants to close the document, at that time that dialogue must be opened, (Do you want to convert your history into actions, when you open (that) document again you will miss history, and also must create a CHECK BOX for don’t show again.
6.     Layers Group:- In the group (folder) we move the objects with move tool and it moves all grouped objects that’s much better, but when we open the group (Folder), after opening it moves also all grouped object !!!, that’s not perfect, I suggest you how to do it, double click on grouped any object to open the group then move any object, and double click on any grouped object to close the group (folder). ( like Illustrator )
7.      Photoshop Extended can create powerful creative animation with audio and animation panel support completely the smart object and smart object makes animation really smart. But the problem is that it takes too much time to generate animation of few seconds and generated video file size is very large up to 1.GB.
        Here is solution, like new document dialogue box under the Device Central button it shows the document size, as hint, same way in the render video dialogue box it must show the file size and generating time and reducing file size hints.
        I had created (20 months ago) in Photoshop extend CS3 really awesome animation of earth, from where it starts it ends there, and shadows on earth are really awesome, map that moves to the shadow side, it changes from day to night and in the shadows you can see the roads’ and cities’ lights’ just like real night map photo it happens like naturally cause of smart object, I have two photos of the map day and night used for animation, you can see that creative animation on youtube.
(Link)= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sd86xGIkQxM
watch this animation in full screen Mode, b/c Youtube has reduced the Quality of Video.
8.   Welcome Screen:- Why welcome Screen is necessary?
                Adobe’s all products must be linked with Design sequence. (Interface)
Design Standard Suite which itself is a famous printing and publishing suite for design ( creation) layout, must keep same sequence of all products and should not affect the attraction,
                Example for Interface, now if CS6 all programs are created with new interface will you don’t change the Photoshop's interface???
Here are my Design Sequences Examples
These Pictures I have Designed in Illustrator
Photoshop with Welcome Screen Looking like Illustrator & Indesign now it matching with its Family.
Benifits of Welcome Screen for ( New ) user
A.    Many people don't know that Photoshop has free few samples with it these are nice example to understand that what photoshop can do!
B.    Photoshop Exchange : is really Necessary : for to exchange Workspace, color profile, Actions, Key Board Shortcuts, Layer Styles,    Swatches, Filter Gallery Presets & PSDs etc.
C.    This will be helpful for New Users TV.Adobe.com they will watch free teqchniques, as see this welcome screen.
D.     Any older user don't want to see the welcome screen that person can turn on that check box (Don't Show Again).
9. Pen Tool + Magnetic Pen Tool =
In my idea pen tool is the perfect tool for vector drawing it gives us perfect result as we want. but about those people like (Toys-R-Us (One Really Big Pen Tool Shortcoming) or other like him, if they can't understand, although pen tool is very easy to use, & he wants short key without going back for to breatck the handle, (for those people) if you want to create short key then short key should be "c or any easy" press to breat the handle, then press again to get back handle again during the using pen tool, or create a magnetic pen tool it must work like magnetic lasso tool works for selection, it will be the best & easy to use & to understand, during to use this tool if it goes to wrong way simply press back space key to go back to last step same like Magnetic Lasso.
(Awesome Magnetic Pen Tool)
or create pen tool like fireworks its pen tool shows next click's preview (very nice pen tool is in fireworks to understand ( really Awesome )
10. keyboard shortcuts like Illustrator for Blend Modes Next , Previous & Opacity 10 to 90, I had started to learn Illustrator CS3 & since CS3 I use these shortcuts for that, (~)tildi for next blend mode, Shift (~) tildi for previous mode, & opacity 10=1 key 20=2 to 90=9 key
11.PANEL ICONS Should be Attached under or above the tool Bar but not on Right or Left Side only ( like Indeign CS2 ).
Note :-
I shall appreciate your frank comments on the above suggestions.
Message was edited by: Muhammad Amjad Khan Abro
Message was edited by: Muhammad Amjad Khan Abro

OK Here goes my wannahaves...
1) create new table or sheet from a file instead of having to open the file and copy/paste into current document. ie "Insert Sheet from file", "Insert Table from File"
2) show linked data from a data source other than the address book - eg an ODBC data source or Filemaker database
3) Ability to paste a filtered table into a new table with just the found rows.
4) Ability to freeze rows and columns to allow for very wide or deep tables
5) When typing data into a cell, automatically adjust its width as you type. Depending on your enter key config, hitting enter puts a new line in the cell and adjusts the row height to fit.
6) Printer page formats default to regional standard: eg in Australia, UK - A4
7) Popup list or menu contents based on a data range: eg a list of categories
8) Media to be selected from anywhere on the system, not just in iTunes/iPhoto (eg most of my video is on an external hard drive)
9) "Autofilter" based on contents of the column.
10) Vlookup and other reference functions: need to be able to select a table (by name) as your range, a column/row (by name) to look up from and a column/row (by name) to retrieve. All functions should work this way, not just the basic ones.
11) When inserting a table you should be asked how many rows and columns.
12 "Format painter" - copy styles and other formatting from cell to cell and table to table.
13) Outlining based upon repeated cell values

Help with using the pen tool

I have a few different problems with the pen tool.
1. When using the pen tool I keep finding that the shape I'm doing is slightly overlapping where I've already gone with the pen tool.
If I try and go over that area again the path I've just drawn then jumps and ruins the shape I was creating.
How can I stop this from happening?
2. Also is there a limit to the amount of paths you can create and add text to? I created two paths and typed on them fine but when I added a third path it refused to type. The cursor didn't change to show I could type and if I did click on the path line and try to type jumped to my other path and typed there. All paths were on different layers and none were overlapping, but it is 3 circles inside each other that get smaller if this makes a difference.
How can I type on the third path?
3. When I have done a path and clicked stroke it is only a thin line. How can I make this line thicker?
Thanks.

Ok, the first example would be something like this. Pretending the lines go elsewhere, say I've drawn a path with the pen tool, gone round the bottom box and that then goes round the two lines going down. So if I go down the one on the left side it hits the previous path I did, but to go up the line on the right side I'd need to go across there. But if I make a point where the two lines meet to do this it then throws the line off elsewhere.
I did have snap vector tools on but it does that without it on.
The next one I was creating a car speedometer so it has lines on the outside, dots inside of that and then, where I've done the blue circle, would be the third path where I then write the numbers in. But I can never write on that third path.
And finally, the pen tool and I think it dd have Shape Dynamics set. I've changed a couple of things and it looks a bit better now so I think that should be ok. Thanks
I know I haven't shown the panels but I haven't got any for the first as it won't go right so I deleted what I was doing. And each thing I've done is on a different layer for the speedometer, all just paths created with the circle tool with the text on.

Using the Pen Tool in Flash

I'm in the process of teaching myself the components of the CS4 Design Premium package using the Adobe Classroom in a Book series. I'm currently going through the Flash CIAB and i've started using the pen tool. The task involves creating a wave like design across the stage. Whilst this in itself is simple, the final instruction is to click on the first anchor point to close the shape. In the illustration, the closed shape seems to automatically extend around the stage, however when I click on the first anchor point, the line automatically connects between the two points in a straight line.
Am I doing something wrong? The next step is to fill this area, but with the straight line effect that I am getting, this becomes impossible. I should point out that the instruction states that the pen tool line should extend off the stage. I have done this, but even then on clicking on the first anchor point the shape is closed incorrectly.
If you have any suggestions as to why this may be, I would be greatly appreciative.
Chris

Thanks Ned,
I think I worked out the problem; I think that part of the instruction was missing. When I looked at the picture again, I noticed that there were anchor points around the stage, so I guess that was what I missed. I was simply creating the wavy line across the stage, and then clicking on the first anchor point to close the shape. I resolved the problem by creating three anchor points around the stage and then closing the image by clicking on the first anchor.
Thanks again for your help Ned.
Chris

Pen tool Q

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