Line types

[STRAT]

ello!

 

just a quicky - line types.

 

How do i draw lines in different line types?

 

I've just drawn a pretty complicated outline to a site. Then to get it a dashed line i've used the brush tool to delete bits in between.

Client now wants a dot-dash line, which means drawing it all over from scratch.

 

Can i just like stroke a line type, then change it at a later date by layer options?

[Jeff Mottle]

Hey STRAT,

 

I know that there is no what to do this in PS 6 or earlier (at least not that I know of), but PS7 might be able to do it, I'm not sure. I know they changed the line tool a bit. I'd have to wait until I got home as I only have PS6 here at work. In fact everything I have at home is faster and newer! But that's another story.

My question is why would you be drafting in PS? I'm assuming you don't have AutoCAD? Illustrator or Freehand woule be better for this no?

[STRAT]

thnx Jeff,

 

Yes, i do have Autocad and DTP facilities. I know i can sort this problem using other software and import it, but i just happened to be using PS 6 at the mo with a client standing here and his drawing in front of me and was wondering if i could do this all in photoshop. obviously not nevermind, DTP it is!

 

cheers again

[Guest adrian_dav]

Originally posted by STRAT:

ello!

 

just a quicky - line types.

 

How do i draw lines in different line types?

 

I've just drawn a pretty complicated outline to a site. Then to get it a dashed line i've used the brush tool to delete bits in between.

Client now wants a dot-dash line, which means drawing it all over from scratch.

 

Can i just like stroke a line type, then change it at a later date by layer options?

the dotted line would have been possible to produce in photoshop.

 

the only way to create dash-dotted lines in PS6 would be quite clumsy and require a plugin like Otto Path. you would have to type dot-dashs as text and then deform the text along the path. don't spend the $99 for above mentioned plugin, it's to much hassle and looks not as good as you'd expect.

 

the dotted line:

i refer to photoshop version 7, the only one i have on my machine.

 

to use dotted lines in PS7:

1. activate the "brush tool"

2. open the "brush option menu"

3. turn off all options

4. choose "brush tip shape"

5. choose a hard-edged round brush size for the dots

6. move the "spacing" slider at the bottom of the "brush tip shape" menu to the right until you have the right distance between the dots

7. save the brush for future use

 

for straight lines you could use the "brush tool" with the shift-key. for more complex lines use the "pen tool" to create the path, make sure the path is active, right click and choose "stroke path" using the "brush" option. you'll have a dotted line along your path.

 

there is no way to create a dot-dash line in PS7. it is easy to do in adobe illustrator where you can use shapes as brush types which "deform" along a path. let me know if you have a copy of illustrator 9 or later and i post the step-by-step instructions on how to do it.

 

illustrator would be the tool of choice to create the line work efficiently and clean and it is a good way to go if you have to work while the client is looking over your shoulder .

 

sorry, i couldn't post a straight forward solution,

 

adrian

http://www.adriandavidson.com