Photoshop vector graphic
There are two types of graphics that can be made in Photoshop -- rastor graphics and vector graphics. Rastor graphics are based on pixels and will eventually lose its quality and sharpness. Vector graphics are shapes that are based upon anchor points that follow a path and form the shape. Vector graphics can be resized indefinitely without losing its quality. However, because Photoshop is not a vector based graphics program, it can be rather tricky to form proper vectors. With plenty of practice and patience, though, it can be done.
Instructions
Getting ready
1. Open an image that contains the shape you would like to create as a vector in Photoshop. Make sure that there is enough detail in the picture that you will be able to trace the object. In this example, an image of a minicar is being used. Save the image as a Photoshop file by selecting "File" and "Save as" from the top menu bar. In the "Format" drop down menu, choose "PSD, PDD" and click "Save." You will want to save your work often. A quick flicker of the power or a dying battery can wipe out a lot of work rather quickly.
2. Double-click on the locked "Background" layer in the layers palette. A "New layer" dialogue box will appear. Enter the name "The image" for the layer and click "Ok." Duplicate the "The image" layer by right clicking on the name of the layer and selecting "Duplicate."
3. Create a layer set for the elements of your vector graphic. Select the folder icon on the layers palette. The heading "Set 1" will appear. Double click on the words "Set 1" and rename the folder to "Elements."
4. Click on the eyedropper tool on the left hand tool bar. Select the darkest area of the object with the eyedropper. This will set the foreground color.
Drawing the image
5. Choose the pen tool from the left hand tool bar. Verify that the "Shape layers" option is highlighted in the "Options toolbar" at the top of the screen. Begin at one end of the object, clicking at various points along the outline of your object (the minicar). Each time you click, you are depositing an anchor point. To zoom in for greater accuracy, press "Control" and "+" and the "Control" and "-" to zoom back out. Make sure you go all the way around the object. The starting and ending point should be at the same place so that the object is completely connected. This will make the vector graphic a solid object.
6. Turn off the "The image copy" (the duplicated layer) so that you can see your outlined object. To turn the layer off, simply click the eye icon next to the layer. Make sure there are no gaps in the outline or you will have to start over again at the beginning. Gaps in the outline will keep the vector graphic from being a solid object. Turn the layer, "The image copy," back on by clicking on the eye icon next to the layer. Click on the pen tool on the left hand tool bar and choose the "Convert point tool." Ensure that the shape of your object is selected in the layers palette.
7. Click on an anchor point. This creates two bezier handles, one pointing to the left and one to the right. Adjust the outline of your vector graphic by moving the two bezier handles until your outline conforms very closely to your object. Work your way around the vector graphic until you arrive back at the starting point. Remove anchor points by right clicking the anchor point and selecting "Delete anchor point." Deleting unneeded anchor points can help smooth the curvature around the object.
8. Duplicate this layer by right clicking the layer name and selecting "Duplicate." Rename the layer "Shape 2 copy." Select the body portion of the image of the minicar using the anchor points tool form the left hand toolbar. Disregard the windows at this point. Color the body of the car blue by clicking on the foreground color selector. Type in color code #3672BD. Hide the "Shape 2 copy" layer and turn on "The image copy" layer by clicking on the eye icons next to the layer names. Choose the pen tool from the left hand toolbar. Click the "Subtract from area shape" icon the "Options toolbar" at the top of the screen.
9. Click on the "Shape 2" layer and outline the windows that are on the far side of the car using the anchor points tool. Press "Control" and "Alternate" to subtract multiple sections from the selected area. Wrap the corners of the windows into the appropriate positions using the "Convert anchor tool." Repeat the process for the windows on the front side of the car by clicking over to the "Shape 2 copy" layer.
The details
10. Fill in the white roof of the minicar by turning on the "The image copy" layer. Create a new layer by selecting "Layer" and "New" from the top menu bar. Rename the layer "Roof." Trace the roof of the minicar using the pen tool to add anchor points, then curve the roof of the car appropriately by selecting the "Convert anchor points" tool. Click on the foreground color selector and choose white.
11. Create a new layer and name it "Hubcaps." Select the ellipse tool from the left hand side bar and draw in the front and rear hubcaps. Press "Control" and click on the front hubcap. Right click on the hubcap and select "Free transform path," then right click again and select "Distort." Adjust the hubcaps using the corner handles that appear when the ellipse is selected. Repeat the process for the rear hubcap and both headlights. Work on the headlights in a new layer that you name "Lights." Draw in the front bumper on a new layer named "Bumper." Select the area using the pen tool from the left hand toolbar, utilizing the anchor points, then adjust the anchor points so that the bumper curves correctly. Select the "Bumper" layer by right clicking, then change the "Blending mode." Check the "Inner shadow" box and choose "Multiply" as the "Blend mode." Then select "Bevel and emboss," and finally, check the "Contour" box. Click "Ok."
12. Choose the pen tool from the left hand toolbar and select "Paths" on the "Options toolbar." Create a new layer by clicking the "New layer" icon on the bottom of the layers palette and name the layer "Lines." Ensure that the "Lines" layer is the top layer in the layers palette. If it isn't, click on the word "Lines" and drag the layer to the top of the palette. Click with the pen tool to add anchor points around the door of the car, where the lines of the door are visible. Do not close the path. Change the foreground color to black and select the brush tool from the left hand tool bar. Choose a size 2 brush from the "Brush preset picker" that appears. Click on the pen tool again, and trace the line you drew around the door. Right click the line and select "Stroke path." Choose "Brush" from the resulting menu and reduce the opacity of the "Lines" layer to 54%. Add lines for the mirrors, steering wheel, door hinges and handle, rims around the headlights, the hood ornament and the grill. Work on the "Lines" layer to add these elements. Adjust the thickness of the lines by selecting the brush diameter. The lower the number for the brush diameter, the smaller the resulting line will be and vice versa.
13. Create a new layer and name it "Highlights" by utilizing the layers palette. Use the polygon lasso from the left hand toolbar to select the areas of the car that are highlighted. Change the foreground color to #86A9D7. Right click on each of the selected highlighted areas and select "Fill." Choose "Filter" from the top menu bar and select "Blur," then "Gaussian blur." Set the radius to 1.1 pixels and lower the "Opacity" to only 30%. Repeat the process for those areas on the car that are darkened, using color code #2A579C.
14. Scroll down in the layers palette and select "Shape 2." Duplicate the layer by right clicking the name and choosing "Duplicate." Rename the layer "Background windows" and drag that layer directly below the "Shape 2" layer. Press "A" to activate the "Direct select tool." Hold down the "Shift" key and click on each of the background windows, ensuring that you are on the "Background windows" layer. Go to the "Options toolbar" and change the selection criteria to "Add to shape area." Click on the main outline of the car to select it and then press "Delete," which will leave only the windows on the "Background windows" layer. Select the layer thumbnail of the "Background windows" layer in the layers palette and change the color to #ffffff, and the "Opacity" to 23%. Repeat the process on the "Shape 2 copy" layer, for the front windows, using the same color code, but only reducing the "Opacity" to 43% to complete your vector graphic in Photoshop.
