Step-by-step instructions will be provided on the tutorial pages, however, a detailed explanation of the basic node editing tools in Paint Shop Pro are listed below. We hope they are written so that even beginners and the vector-phobic *G* can follow along! Vector tools in other software also use nodes in a similar manner, however, the menus and some terminology may differ. Any differences should be explained in each individual tutorial.
Nodes, Cusps and Contours
Vector lines. shapes and text are edited by manipulating the Nodes. Nodes are indicated by square points on line and curve objects. You can change the shape of an object by dragging one or more of its nodes.
The straight or curved line between two nodes is a line segment.
A series of line segments and nodes create the contour of your vector object, also called path. There are closed contours (when start and end nodes connect) and open contours (not connected).
You alter the shape of a vector object by editing the contour. Edit the contour by adding, merging, moving or deleting nodes anywhere along a path.
The arrows that stick out of each node are called Control Arms (also called "handles") and they determine the length, shape, and direction of the curve or angle of the line that is attached to the node.
Pulling on the Control Arm to make it longer will also make the line attached to the Node longer, enlarging the curve. See Control Arm examples above.
Every node has 2 possible handles. You can grab and drag a handle on either side of the node, depending on your intent.
To change the size of a vector object, drag a corner or edge handle of the bounding box (all nodes selected). If you want to resize while changing the current proportions, right-click and drag a handle.
We'll talk more about shape distortion later, but first you'll need to know how to change the Node Type. This is an important thing to master.
There are 4 different Node Types:
1) With a Symmetric node, moving the Control Arm/handle changes the line on both sides of the node equally. This will give you a smooth curve.
2) With an Asymmetric node, moving the Control Arm/handle will change the lines on both sides of the nodes at the same time, but not equally. A curve made this way can have a different contour on each side of node.
3) With a Cusp node, you can pull each Control Arm separately for extreme changes in angle or have a different curve or angle on each side of the Node. A simple square is a shape (contour) with 4 Cusp nodes creating the 4 corners.
4) With a Smooth node, you can create a smooth transition between straight and curved line segments.
Changing Node Type
On the Tools toolbar, choose the Pen tool. On the Tool Options palette, click the Edit Mode button. Right-click a node, choose Node Type, and select one of the following options:
Convert to Line — straightens the segment before and after the node
Line Before — straightens the segment before the node
Line After — straightens the segment after the node
Curve Before — curves the segment before the node
Curve After — curves the segment after the node
Not that complicated, is it? Just a few logical steps.
In older versions of Paint Shop Pro, the Object Selector is used to edit a vector object. When Object Selector is active, right-clicking a vector object will open a dialog box of editing choices, including changing the type of node by selecting Node Type.
PRACTICE: Draw a vector rectangle and experiment with changing the Node Type to see how it effects the shape (the contour).
To change two or more nodes at the same time, select each node before choosing Node Type. Hold the shift key down while selecting more than one node. Then right click and select Node Type.
Although there are many combinations of node type that will influence the shape of adjoining line segments, there are 2 main concepts to remember....curve and corner. To make curves, use a node with symmetrical or asymmetical control arms. To make a sharp corner, use a cusp node combined with line before or line after (or both). We'll go into more detail on node types in the individual tutorials !
Now that you know the Node Types, you'll need to know how to edit them!
Now that you know the Node Types, you'll need to know how to edit them!
The Vector Edit Menu
There are many editing choices available when creating with vectors. There's familiar choices such as Undo, Copy, Paste, Delete, Select All and Select None. There's also a few choices that are unique to vector drawing. You'll learn how to use these as we go along...but the following notes will help take the mystery out of another bunch of new terminology.
BREAK: You can break apart a line (contour) at a node. When you use BREAK, the selected node is converted into 2 nodes and the line segment is 'broken' into 2 lines.
JOIN: You can join the start point or end point node of one line (contour) with the start or end point nodes of another to form one continuous line (contour). To join the nodes, press Control key while dragging one node over the other. When the two overlap, the word 'Join' appears. Release the mouse button.
CLOSE: Closing a contour adds a NEW line segment that connects the start point and end point of the selected nodes. (JOIN does not add a line segment).
MERGE: Merging a node removes it and merges the two line segments that were on either side of it into one continuous line. This is handy when you find you have many more nodes than you actually need!! (Too many nodes is not good.) You can merge one or more nodes along a contour (line). If you merge every node along a contour, it will delete that contour.
DELETE: Deleting a node removes the node and removes the two line segments (one on each side).
REVERSE CONTOUR AND REVERSE PATH: These will reverse direction of the start and end point. Used a lot for creating text that follows a curve.
There are many other options in the various dialog boxes that appear when editing vectors, two of the handiest ones are:
GROUP & UNGROUP: You may 'Group' different vector objects in your drawing in order to keep them together without merging them. When grouped, objects may be moved about in unison. You must 'UnGroup', however, in order to edit each individual object.
PROPERTIES: In the Vector Properties box you can easily change all kinds of things...all in one place! Layer name, line & fill color or pattern, textures, line style, etc.
We've gone over the purpose of the tools and the meaning of some new words, so, if you get stumped, you can always refer back to this page for some tool tips!
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