Pen Tool Techniques

Simulate fake table styles with Type in a Path. (Opens in a new window – Layers Magazine)

A simple way to create a swirly pattern or lines using the Pen Tool. Using a dark background works best in this case. So I used black as the background. Select the ‘Pen Tool (P)’ and up on the ‘Options Bar’, select the ‘Paths’ option.(Second one) Using

A simple Transform trick and your on your way to creating endless custom shapes for reuse in your projects, or simply experiment to your hearts content to create that perfect logo. Set Foreground color to your preference. (I used black) Select the Custom Shape Tool. Set ‘Shape

Here’s a simple ‘Layer Mask’ and Brush Preset technique to create a custom edge stamp effect. With Photoshop started go to the File > New menu command option and create a New Document preset size of your choice. I opted for 400×250 with Background contents set to

1. Here’s a simple style effect to create a candy cane effect combined with the ‘Pen Tool’ to create the shape. 2. Start with the ‘Pen Tool (P)’ and roughly draw in the shape of the cane. Then use the ‘Convert Anchor Point Tool’ to smooth out

Here’s a simple style effect to create a Christmas tree ornament combing ‘Shape Tool’, Blending Styles and an Christmas motif image. Create a new document (File > New) preset of your choice with a background color other than white. (I used grey variation). Step 1: Activate Tool

1. Here’s a detailed look at how to achieve an Open Magazine Effect. Some basic shapes, a photo, some ‘Pen Tool’ manipulation and the Liquify Tool helped achieve this. So follow along to see how. 2. In a new document, set the foreground color #C1C3C0 (gray) &

Here’s a detailed look at how to achieve the Polaroid Effect. Some basic shapes, a photo and some ‘Pen Tool’ manipulation which help achieve this. So follow along to see how. 1. In a new document, foreground color #D9D9D9 then select the ‘Rectangle Shape Tool’ and draw

Here is a simple way to get comfortable using Path Tool. Start a new document. Your preset choice. Then hit the Ctrl+’ (Mac:Command+’) to turn on the Grid, as I have captured below. Alternatively, ‘View/Show/Grid’. Next, enable ‘Snap To/Grid’ via the same Window command as captured below.

Here’s a few simple steps to create a Wireframe Cube effect. The main trick here is to achieve the effect without having Photoshop close multiple Paths during the Stroke process. Follow along to see how. First and foremost lets select the ‘Brush Tool (B)’ on the Toolbar