Computer Graphics with Photoshop

Author

Closing paths

ronviers@gmail.com

2007-01-10, 6:19 pm

I read somewhere months ago that paths should be closed. I cannot
remember where or in what context, maybe it is a printing issue or
possibly scaling related, but something in the back of my minds keeps
telling me to close the paths. Does anyone have any idea what I am
talking about?

Thanks,
Ron

Derek Fountain

2007-01-10, 6:20 pm

ronviers@XXXXXXXXXX wrote:
> I read somewhere months ago that paths should be closed. I cannot
> remember where or in what context, maybe it is a printing issue or
> possibly scaling related, but something in the back of my minds keeps
> telling me to close the paths. Does anyone have any idea what I am
> talking about?

Yes, but your recollection is rather fuzzy. :o)

A closed path is simply a single path (strictly speaking a 'path
component') where the end points meet at a single anchor point. This
makes the path into a loop. You create a closed path by producing a
normal path, then attempting to add a final anchor at the same point as
the first anchor. Photoshop spots this and the mouse pointer icon
changes to have a little 'o' next to it while you hover over the first
point in the path. Click there and your path will be closed.

Your path doesn't *have* to be closed. If you're drawing *round*
something it most likely needs to be; if you're just looking to stroke a
wavy line it most likely won't be.
--
Derek Fountain on the web at http://www.derekfountain.org/

ronviers@gmail.com

2007-01-10, 6:20 pm

Hi Derek,

Derek Fountain wrote:
> Yes, but your recollection is rather fuzzy. :o)

Nothing unusual for me.

> Your path doesn't *have* to be closed. If you're drawing *round*
> something it most likely needs to be; if you're just looking to stroke a
> wavy line it most likely won't be.
> --
> Derek Fountain on the web at http://www.derekfountain.org/

I did a little more searching and found the description for a PS CS2
plugin from Adobe.com. Notice 'function' number six - Make Paths
Closed.
When I originally read about the issue I remember telling myself that I
would be sure to close my paths but now I don't know. It is easy enough
to do, even with a long complicated line, by copying and pasting a line
on top then closing each end, but I do not want to spend any time doing
this if there really is no reason but the implications of this plugin
is that they should be closed.

Point Control CS2
Point Control adds nine point and path editing functions in one
easy-to-use floating palette.
* Adjust Stroke % - Adds or subtracts a percentage of their
current stroke weight to the weight of all selected paths.
* Adjust Stroke Weight - Adds or subtracts a specified amount to
each selected path.
* Align Vertically and Horizontally - Aligns selected points on
any number of paths vertically or horizontally.
* Delete Selected Points - Deletes selected points on any number
of paths without breaking the path.
* Make Points Curves or Corners - Converts selected points on any
number of paths to corner or curve points but does not change current
handle position.
* Make Paths Closed - Sets the open/closed state of all selected
paths to closed.
* Pop Curve Handles - Increases the length of curve handles on
all selected points by 50%.
* Retract Curve Handles - Removes curve handles from all selected
points.
* Smooth Path - Removes extra points and smooths paths.

Thanks,
Ron