This tutorial was written for PSP8. You may do in other version of PSP, but locations for effects and adjustments may be located in different areas. It is only for to help you learn how to node edit and work with shapes. The completed image in the heading is just an example of how you could complete your own shape once you finish. I have not included dirctions for it.

Someone asked for some beginner vector tutorias. I tried to keep this one fairly simple with some slight node editing. It is worked by using only the Tear Drop Preset Shape.

If nodes and node editing are new to you, you may want to try this tutorial. It was written for PSP8, but PSP7 users may get some ideas about using nodes.

Where is Bezier

You really need to play with them for a while and become comfortable with how the work.

New Image 400 X 400 (Save in PSP format as any name you would like.)
Preset Shapes - Jasc Tear Drop
Foreground color - Null
Background color - Any color you wish. I usually use bright different colors for each shape to help me see the outline of the image. When I'm finished and satisfied with the image, I double on all the New Shape layers and change the colors I want under Vector Properties.

Tail
New Vector layer
Drag out a narrow tear drop shape near the bottom of image.
Use the Node handle in the center to rotate to the right.
Click on the Pen Tool
Edit the nodes on the right and bottom by dragging the ends of the arrows as illustrated below.

SAVE

Body
New Vector layer
Drag out a fairly good sized tear drop for the body.
Edit the node on the top by dragging the ends of the arrows as illustrated below.

SAVE

Head
New Vector layer
Drag out tear drop for the body.
Edit the node on the top by dragging the ends of the arrows as illustrated below.

SAVE

Legs
New Vector layer
Drag out tear drop for the left leg.
Hold down the Shift key, click on the top center node and slide to the right a little.
Move the node on the left up slightly.
Move the node on the right down slightly.
Edit the node on the top by dragging the ends of the arrows as illustrated below.

SAVE

Paws
Stay on the same Vector layer
Drag out tear drop for the left side of paw towards the center.
Grab the center node handle and rotate right slightly.

Drag out tear drop for the right side of paw towards the center.
Grab the center node handle and rotate left slightly.
Drag out tear drop for the the center.
Click on the + sign by this layer on the Layer palette and click on each layer to adjust size if needed.

Hold down the Shift key and click on each of the leg and paw layers under the Vector layer to highlight.
Right click on one of the highlighted layers and Group
Right click on the Vector layer and Dulpicate.
Click on the new Group layer you just created under the new duplicated layer so that it is the only highlighted layer.
Image - Mirror
Use the Mover Tool to drag into place.
SAVE

Ears
New Vector layer
Drag out tear drop on right side of head for right ear.
Grab the center node handle and rotate left slightly.
Edit the nodes by dragging to place and dragging the ends of the arrows as illustrated below.

Right click on the Vector layer on the layer Palette - Duplicate
Click on the + sign by the new Vector layer just created to make the New Shape layer under it visible and click on it.
Image - Mirror
Use Mover Tool to move into place.
SAVE

Eyes
New Vector layer
Drag out tear drop on right side of head for right eye.
Grab the center node handle and rotate left slightly.
Right click on the layer on the Layer Palette - Duplicate
Change Background color as shown earlier to help you see.
Image - Resize - 90%
Use Mover Tool to help you place.
Right click on the layer on the Layer Palette - Duplicate
Change Background color as shown earlier to help you see.
Image - Resize - 85%
Use Mover Tool to help you place.
Click on the + sign by the 3 eye layers and drag the two below the final one you did on the save Vector layer under it.

Right click on the Vector layer on Layer Palette - Duplicate
Image - Mirror
Use Mover Tool to place.
SAVE

Brows
New Vector layer
Drag out long narrow tear drop.
Grab the center node handle and rotate to right.

Right click on the layer on the Layer Palette - Duplicate
Use Mover Tool to place.
SAVE

Mouth
New Vector layer
Drag out a tear drop in center of head.
This one is hard to explain. You need to work a little with the nodes and end of arrows. I am giving you an image of each node I finished to help you see how the arrows were placed.

SAVE

Nose
New Vector layer
Drag out upside down wide but not very long tear drop for nose.

SAVE

You may want to save as a Preset Shape. (Wish I had know to do this a lot sooner with my images.) If you don’t know how this tutorial may help some.

Create Preset Shape

To finish
I put each shape on its own Vector Layer.
Change to color you want to use by opening the Layer Properties described at the beginning.
To do this click on any + signs by Vector layers on the Layer Palette. If there is not more than one layer under the Vector layer, right click and Convert to Raster.
If you do have more than one layer under a Vector Layer, just create a New Vector layer above it and drag the top layer up to it on the Layer Palette. Then you can right click and Convert to Raster.
Don't be afraid to experiment and play around. You can alway tap Ctrl+Z and undo if you don't like it.

Finish off in your own way and style!

Hope you have enjoyed this tutorial.

Contact Carla

© 2003 Carla Polston All Rights Reserved