Creating vector objects for the backgroundMany posters are designed to be scalable, either up or down, while retaining a crisp appearance. This is a good use for vector shapes. Next, you'll create vector shapes with paths and use masks to control what appears in the poster. Because they're vector, the shapes can be scaled in future design revisions without a loss of quality or detail. Drawing a scalable shapeYou'll begin by creating a white kidney-shaped object for the backdrop of the poster.
Deselecting pathsDeselecting paths is sometimes necessary to see the appropriate tool options bar when you select a vector tool. Deselecting paths can also help you view certain effects that might be obscured if a path is highlighted. Before proceeding to the next exercise, you'll make sure that all paths are deselected. About shape layersA shape layer has two components: a fill and a shape. The fill properties determine the color (or colors), pattern, and transparency of the layer. The shape is a layer mask that defines the areas in which the fill can be seen and those areas in which the fill is hidden.In the layer you've just created, the fill is white. The fill color is visible within the shape you drew and is not visible in the rest of the image, so the background sky can be seen around it.In the Layers palette, your Retro Shape layer sits above the Background layer because the Background was selected when you started to draw. There are three items in the shape layer along with the layer name: two thumbnail images and a link icon between them.A. Fill thumbnail B. Layer mask link icon C. Mask thumbnail  The left thumbnail shows that the entire layer is filled with the white foreground color. The small slider underneath the thumbnail is not functional, but symbolizes that the layer is editable.The Mask thumbnail on the right shows the vector mask for the layer. In this thumbnail, white indicates the area where the image is exposed, and gray indicates the areas where the image is blocked.The icon between the two thumbnails indicates that the layer and the vector mask are linked.Subtracting shapes from a shape layerAfter you create a shape layer (vector graphic), you can set options to subtract new shapes from the vector graphic. You can also use the Path Selection tool and the Direct Selection tool to move, resize, and edit shapes. You'll add some interest to the retro shape by subtracting a star shape from it, allowing the outer space background to show through. To help you position the star, you'll refer to the Star Guide layer, which has been created for you. Currently, that layer is hidden.
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The guide layer will serve as a template as you draw the kidney shape.
) in the toolbox (or type the keyboard shortcut D), then swap the foreground and background colors by clicking the Switch Foreground and Background Colors button (
) (or type X). Now the foreground color is white.A. Foreground Color buttonB. Default Foreground and Background Colors buttonC. Switch Foreground and Background Colors buttonD. Background Color button
). Then, on the tool options bar, make sure that the Shape Layers option is selected.
), which may be hidden under the Direct Selection tool (
).
).
) for that layer (but leave the Retro Shape layer selected). The Star Guide layer is now visible in the image window.
), hidden under the Rectangle tool (
).
Select the Subtract From Shape Area option (
), or press either hyphen or minus to select it with a keyboard shortcut. The pointer now appears as crosshairs with a small minus sign (
).
When you release the mouse, the star shape becomes a cutout, allowing the planet to show through. If the background layer were another image, pattern, or color, you would see it inside the star shape.Notice that all the star has a grainy outline, reminding you that the shape is selected. Another indication that the shape is selected is that the Retro Shape vector mask thumbnail is highlighted (outlined in white) in the Layers palette.
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