Adobe Photoshop CS2 On Demand [Electronic resources]

Using the Magnetic Option with the Freeform Pen Tool

The Magnetic option changes the Freeform Pen tool into a magnetic vector drawing tool. For example, selecting the Magnetic option forces the tool to follow the visible edge of an object in the document window. The Magnetic option instructs the Freeform Pen tool to key to the shift in brightness between an object and its background. It's a great way to make a difficult path. Once you click to define the starting point, it's not necessary to hold down the mouse, just move while closely following the visible edge of the image. If you get to a tricky point where the Magnetic lasso doesn't know what to do, just click your mouse to add a user-defined anchor point.

Use the Magnetic Option with the Freeform Pen Tool

Open a document.

Select the

Freeform Pen tool on the toolbox.

Select the

Magnetic check box on the Options bar.

IMPORTANT

When using the Magnetic option with the Freeform Pen tool, you cannot create an open shape.

Click the

Shape Layers or

Paths button.

Position the

Freeform Pen tool over the edge of a shape, and then click and release the mouse.

Drag in the document window using your mouse or drawing tablet to follow the visible edge.

The magnetic option helps you stay on the edge.

Close the shape by dragging the Freeform (magnetic) Pen tool over the shape's starting point, and then releasing when you see a small circle appear underneath the tool, or by double-clicking.

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