Serif PhotoPlus X3 ECD518624M User Manual
Product codes
ECD518624M
Painting and Drawing
89
Overview
Each of the drawing tools has its own creation and editing rules, as detailed
below. Before continuing, let's cover some things that all shape objects have in
below. Before continuing, let's cover some things that all shape objects have in
common:
•
Shapes have outlines known as paths. In a nutshell, shapes as
discussed here are filled outlines (i.e., they’re closed, with color
inside). Later, we’ll cover unfilled outlines (paths) separately, and
discussed here are filled outlines (i.e., they’re closed, with color
inside). Later, we’ll cover unfilled outlines (paths) separately, and
consider their special properties. The various drawing tools are all
path-drawing tools, applicable to both the filled and unfilled kind of
path-drawing tools, applicable to both the filled and unfilled kind of
outline.
•
Unlike painted regions you create on raster (bitmap) layers, both
QuickShapes and outline shapes are vector objects that occupy
special shape layers, marked with an symbol on the Layers tab.
Each shape layer includes a path thumbnail representing the shape(s)
QuickShapes and outline shapes are vector objects that occupy
special shape layers, marked with an symbol on the Layers tab.
Each shape layer includes a path thumbnail representing the shape(s)
on that layer.
•
A QuickShape or straight outline can be drawn directly as a shape
layer, path or as a filled bitmap. The Context toolbar hosts buttons
which allow you to decide how your lines and shapes are to be drawn,
which allow you to decide how your lines and shapes are to be drawn,
i.e.
Shape Layer—create your QuickShape or outline on a new
shape layer or add to an existing shape layer.
shape layer or add to an existing shape layer.
Paths—add your shape or outline directly as a path rather
than as a new/existing shape layer. (See Using paths on p. 98).
than as a new/existing shape layer. (See Using paths on p. 98).
Fill Bitmaps—creates a filled bitmap of the shape or straight
outline on a raster layer (e.g., the Background layer).
Curved and freehand outlines cannot be drawn as filled bitmaps.
Assuming you’re working on a non-shape layer when you create a shape, the
Assuming you’re working on a non-shape layer when you create a shape, the
new shape appears on a new shape layer. But what about the next shape you
create? Shape layers can store more than one shape, and it’s up to you where the
next one will go.
next one will go.
This decision is made easy by use of the Context toolbar when the QuickShape