Where can I lean more about paths?

[aimesmith15]

I really want to make some geat stitching and I purchased the stiches from the store here but I lost the instructions. Was there anything in there about using paths in PS to help create great realistic stitching WITH holes? I am having a hard time trying to make holes using paths.

[Priss]

Aime, the paths set up your line for you to bring along the type or the brush and position it where you want it. I know what you mean about the little "holes" that the needle would have punched. I always brush (or type) on a new-blank layer, and you can use a very tiny eraser (zoomed way in) under that "stitch" on each end of it on the "paper" layer. I looked, (but couldn't find anything specific) about using paths in PS in Linda's Stitches/brushes.

Have you ever tried loading a "text-hyphen" onto a path as a "stitch" (and then beveling it?) That's kinda fun and you can control where the "sewing" is going with the text commands just by spacing along and working on the spacing in the text tool's commands (hint--set the tracking commands)?

[MidnightChardonnay]

Hi Aime

If you do Google for "Photoshop paths" you will find quite a few links to free tuts come up. Of all things I find the pen tool on CS2 to be the hardest to master. I keep trying and coming back to it but it's not easy.:(

[Wendy]

Hi Aime ...

Often you find that once you have stitching in a layout any holes are too small to see ... I spent ages doing this on a layout I was doing and then when it was finished I couldn't see any holes at all :eek:

Wendy

[Cupcake]

I took an online class in paths and I can't tell you how much I learned. Afterwards I made many different kinds of stitches, lace, and a whole bunch of things. I have used my paths knowledge many times since. It probably bumped my my digital scrapping more than any class I have taken. I use the pen tool regularly now that I understand it

[aimesmith15]

Okay, thanks girls. Sound like the pen dool is the key, I will work on it. It surely seems like an art that will take work and to master!

[Priss]

It is probably the hardest tool to master because there are so many things that you can do with it. I like the explanations here (http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/photoshoptutorialsshapespen/Photoshop_Shape_Tool_Pen_Tool_Drawing_Vector_Paths _Shapes.htm)
about those vector tools.