| Software:
Ulead PhotoImpact 10
Author: Debbie
Hardisty
Home Page: Debisty Designs
Title: Rectangles, Circles &
More!
For a PI 7, 8, XL
or Pro version of this tutorial click
here.
For a PI 11 or 12 version of this tutorial click
here.
Skill Level: Beginners
Featured Tools:
Path Drawing Tool
Transform Tool
Easy Palette
Additional Files:
None Required
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Description: Learn how to draw a basic
shape, a polygon shape with a set number of sides or convex
points, or a bordered shape using the Path Drawing Tool. Find
out how to alter the attributes of your shape, resize it and
also how to fill it with material from the Easy Palette.
My terms of use for this tutorial are simple....What
you create using this tutorial is yours to do with as you please.
A link back to this tut is appreciated but is not a requirement.
The tutorial itself along with the images herein are copyrighted
to me and all rights are reserved.
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| 1 |
Standard Mode vs Basic Mode
PhotoImpact 10 has two work modes, Basic and Standard.
Basic Mode features a simplified workspace with larger buttons
and the most common functions whereas the Standard Mode displays
all of the functions. We will be using the Standard Mode
in this tutorial.
To check your mode, click Workspace on the Menu
Bar. If the Standard Mode is greyed out, that means you are already
in the Standard Mode. If not, click Standard Mode now.
Warning: If
you switch from Standard to Basic Mode, and you have custom settings,
you will lose all your custom settings.
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| 2 |
A New Image
Start by clicking on File/New/New Image. Be sure to click on
the Data type RGB, that your Canvas will be white and that the
User-defined settings show Width 400 pixels and Height 300 pixels
before clicking on OK.
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| 3 |
The Path Drawing Tool
In the tool bar activate the Path Drawing Tool  (A
Path Panel box might pop up at this point, either move it out
of the way, or click on the cross in the top right corner to
close it. I will speak more on what the Path Panel is for a
little later).
The attributes bar will show settings something similiar to
this 
 Click
on the Shape to access the dropdown menu and then click on the
rectangular shape.
Click on Color to select a colour of your own choosing.
Click on Mode and choose 2D Object. (You could choose one of
the other modes here, but we're going to start with 2D.)
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| 4 |
The Path Panel
 When
you first clicked on the Path Drawing Tool, you will have noticed
a box pop up. This is known as the Path Panel. If you don't
see a Path Panel box, or if you closed when told you could in
the last step of this tutorial, you can access it by clicking
on this icon 
in the attributes bar.
Click on the Options tab and ensure that Even-Odd
Fill is checked and also Anti-aliasing. By checking these you
will be ensured of the best possible fill for your shape and
also a smooth edge rather than a jaggered one. Depending on
how you'd prefer your image to be drawn, you might like to also
check the Draw from center box. My own preference is to draw
from the outer edge which is why I haven't checked it.
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| 5 |
Drawing A Shape
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On your canvas, hold down your left mouse button at point
X, drag and let go of the mouse button at point Y.
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| If you checked Draw from center in the last
step of this tutorial, then hold down your left mouse button
at point X and drag diagonally until your rectangle is the
size you would like and then let go. |
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Congratulations, you have drawn your very first path shape!
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| 6 |
Exercise
Now that you know how to draw a basic shape, deselect it by clicking
on your keyboard's Enter key. Try
drawing a few others shapes, a circle, a diamond and a square.
You might like to also try drawing a Custom Shape. If that's the
case, then click on Custom Shape.
In the Custom Shape box that pops up, be sure that you have the
Gallery called Shape Library selected and the Tab group All. This
will give you access to a whole host of wonderful shapes. Simply
double click on the one you'd like to draw. The Custom Shape box
will close and you're ready to draw just as you've done before.
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| 7 |
Changing The Attributes
 With
your new shape still selected (showing a running black selection
line around it), click on Mode in the attributes bar
and try the other options in the dropdown box.
Here are a few examples of what will happen to your rectangle.
 With
each shape I altered the border setting in the Path Panel to 20.
At this point, you might like to experiment altering
both the border and depth settings to see how they affect your
path shape.
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| 8 |
Resizing
To resize your rectangle click on the Transform Tool in the
tool bar 
On the attributes bar, click on the Resize Transform method
 Unlock
the padlock also found on the attributes bar and enter a new
Width and Height size.
OR
Click on the Transform Tool in the tool bar
Click on the Resize Transform method in the attributes bar
Ensure that the padlock on the attributes bar is unlocked and
then click on one of the nodes around your shape and push inward
to make your shape smaller or pull outward to enlarge it. Don't
forget to keep an eye on the Width and Height in the status
bar.
Notice how each method of resizing here allows you to resize
each side of your shape independantly. Click on the padlock
to close it and you'll be able to resize your shape keeping
the aspect ratio. In other words, all sides will resize together.
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| 9 |
Polygons and Borders
 If you
look along the attributes bar, you'll also notice that you have
the option of drawing a polygon shape with a set number of sides
or convex points. All you need do is click on the shape required
and alter the number of sides or points wanted.
Another thing you'll notice in the attributes bar is a border
setting. 
This allows you to add a 2D border of any colour and size to any
shape you draw, whether it be an ordinary shape, a custom shape
or one of the chosen polygons. Try it, I'm sure you'll find a
lot of use for shapes with borders in future PhotoImpact projects
you do!
Here are a few examples of polygon shapes and polygon shapes
with borders added.
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| 10 |
Adding Material
With your new shape in 3D mode and still selected (showing
a running black selection line around it), click on the Easy
Palette icon in the access bar.
In the Easy Palette click on the Gallery icon
(top left).
Click on either the Material Attribute Gallery or the Material
Gallery.
On the right side of the Easy Palette you will see thumbnail
images, double click on any of them to add material to your
shape.
This rectangle is the result of Metallic/Copper 4 and Bump/M
64.
Experiment a bit to see what materials you particularly like.
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| 11 |
Exercise
Practise drawing more shapes with varying modes. Change their
attributes and resize them. Then add material from the Easy Palette.
Here are a few that I have done. I'm sure you can
create some much nicer ones, especially if you choose to draw
Custom Shape ones!
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Debisty Designs Tutorial Award
When you have completed this tutorial you are welcome to download
and display this award on your web page. As a courtesy, you
may wish to display your results on the PhotoImpact International Board. This award is being offered on the honour
system. Right-click on image and save to your hard drive. |
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Site created & maintained by
Debbie
Hardisty
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