> PHOTOSHOP USER>^ JULY 2017[ 42 ]
Step One: In this example, we’ll create a path
around a gemstone destined for use in a catalog.
Choose File>Open and navigate to an image that
you’d like to use. If you’d like to use the amethyst
photo from Adobe Stock that we’re using here,
follow the instructions below. (If you’re starting
in Lightroom, select the photo and then choose
Photo>Edit In>Adobe Photoshop CC.) In Photo-
shop, activate the Pen tool by pressing P or by
clicking it in the Toolbar. In the Options Bar,
choose Path from the mode drop-down menu on
the left (circled).
To obtain the stock image used in this exercise
so you can follow along, download the water-
marked preview from Adobe Stock, or add it
directly to your Libraries panel (Window>Libraries)
by clicking on the link for the image below. When
the Adobe Stock webpage opens, make sure
you’re logged in to your Adobe account, then to
the right of the image, you’ll see the option to Save
Preview to My Library (you can click on My Library
to select a different library or download option).
Click on the cloud-with-an-arrow icon, and the
preview image will automatically be downloaded
to your Libraries panel in Photoshop. Simply dou-
ble-click the image in the Libraries panel to open
it in Photoshop.- Close up of a purple amethyst stone
Step Two: Zoom into the photo by pressing Com-
mand-+ (PC: Ctrl-+) a few times (you can Space-
bar-drag to reposition the photo onscreen). Click
along the bottom edge of the stone to set a start-
ing anchor point. To create a straight-line segment,
move to a spot along the object edge and click.
Repeat until you reach a curved section.USING THE PEN TOOL
TO CREATE SELECTIONS
The Pen tool is the most precise of all the tools you can use to create a selection, though it’s difficult
to learn because of how it works—it uses anchor points and control handles, which are collectively
referred to as vector paths. Once you have a perfect path, you can convert it into the smoothest
selection you’ll ever see.LESASNIDER
BEGINNERS’ WORKSHOP
©Adobe Stock/fullempty