ShapeMaker Mini Tutorial

[lynxster4]

This tutorial is available as a PDF. Click here to view or download it

 

I quickly pulled this together for anyone having trouble understanding how to properly use ShapeMaker so all the drawing 'modes' render correctly.

 

Step 1:

 

 

I used the 'Cubic Bezier' tool with 'Snap to Grid' turned on and 'Linked with previous Line' turned off.  I toggle between Zoom 10x and 5x.  I always place my first

node in 10x on the flattest part of the shape.  I then draw the rest in 5X and zoom back up to 10X before I place the last line. I place my final node (1) square

away from the beginning node and use 'Close Contiguous Paths' button to complete the outline. That's how you get the 'closed line' symbol shown in the Path List.

 

Step 2:

 

 

I chose this as my 2nd line because it completely intersects the outline shape.

 

An example of why this line is cloned:

 

 

Step 3:

 

 

Step 4:

 

 

I choose to do the center flower next, as it creates a great 'anchor' point for all the other lines.

 

Step 5:

 

 

Step 6:

 

 

Step 7:

 

 

 

This may be an on-going tutorial.  As questions are asked, I will add more images to explain.

 

Hope this helps everyone new to the ShapeMaker plugin!  

[Seerose]

 Dear @lynxster4! Thank you so much.   I have a question: how do I save the shape? 

[lynxster4]

1 hour ago, Seerose said:

 I have a question: how do I save the shape?

 

Hi dear Seerose!  I added (2) more images to the tutorial explaining how to save your files!     

 

[Pixey]

Wonderful tutorial @lynxster4

[Seerose]

 Dear @lynxster4! I hug you. Thank you very much.  

[Eli]

Thanks @lynxster4. This is a great and clear minitutorial.

[Ego Eram Reputo]

Pinned.

 

Thank you @lynxster4

[ScrapbookWithPDN]

Really nice of you to do, Lynxster4. Very nice of you. I'm sure it will be helpful to many.

[lynxster4]

Thank you @LionsDragon and @ScrapbookWithPDN for the reps!   

 

Thank you @ReMake and @Maximilian also, for the reps!  ?

 

Edited October 11, 2018 by lynxster4

[lynxster4]

Thank you @Vagabondi for the rep!  

[Vagabondi]

2 hours ago, lynxster4 said:

Thank you @Vagabondi for the rep!  

 

Dearest, if I EVER be able to create a shape (which still sounds a bit like science fiction) - you'll be responsible for that.

[lynxster4]

Thank you @Djisves for the rep!  Are you going to try and make 'shapes'?  😊

 

[Djisves]

😀 The rep is because I chanced in this neck of the woods today, re-read your tutorial and realised I never gave you your rep when I should have. Better late than later, yes? 

 

I did try shapes when shapemaker and your tutorial were first published. At the time, I did not have the patience needed to do well. I may try again, hopefully soon, to draw the "djisves" pot shape (i.e. my avatar).

 

[lynxster4]

Posted updated images to the tutorial to reflect the UI changes made in ShapeMaker by @toe_head2001 a while back.  Better late than never!

[lynxster4]

Thank you @ardneh and @fd2 for the reps!  I hope you find this mini-tut helpful. ☺️

 

[Ma.]

Where to find "fill mode" for a shape?  I wish to "fill" an arrow, which I got from Shapes, with a solid color.

 

[Djisves]

25 minutes ago, Ma. said:

..."fill" an arrow, which I got from Shapes, with a solid color

Read here (<- click) for Shape Styles.

[IanH]

Hi Seerose

how did you get the background image into Shape maker ?

Many thanks 

Ian

[ardneh]

You can either work on the background layer or copy the background layer to the clipboard, Ctrl C, then choose Clipboard.
 

 

Edited June 22, 2021 by ardneh

[IanH]

10 minutes ago, ardneh said:

You can either work on the background layer or copy the background layer to the clipboard, Ctrl C, then choose Clipboard.
 

Awesome thank you