Draw A Path That Snaps To Defined Edges; Draw Using The Magnetic Pen Options - Adobe Photoshop CS6 User Manual

Draw a path that snaps to defined edges

Draw using the magnetic pen options

Draw using the magnetic pen options
The Magnetic Pen is an option of the Freeform Pen tool that lets you draw a path that snaps to the edges of defined areas in your image. You can
define the range and sensitivity of the snapping behavior, as well as the complexity of the resulting path. The Magnetic Pen and Magnetic Lasso
tools share many of the same options.
1. To convert the Freeform Pen tool to the Magnetic Pen tool
shape buttons in the options bar, select Magnetic, and set the following:
For Width, enter a pixel value between 1 and 256. The Magnetic Pen detects edges only within the specified distance from the pointer.
For Contrast, enter a percentage value between 1 and 100 to specify the contrast required between pixels for that area to be considered
an edge. Use a higher value for low-contrast images.
For Frequency, enter a value between 0 and 100 to specify the rate at which the Pen sets anchor points. A higher value anchors the
path in place more quickly.
If you are working with a stylus tablet, select or deselect Pen Pressure. When this option is selected, an increase in pen pressure causes
the width to decrease.
2. Click in the image to set the first fastening point.
3. To draw a freehand segment, move the pointer or drag along the edge you want to trace.
The most recent segment of the border remains active. As you move the pointer, the active segment snaps to the strongest edge in the
image, connecting the pointer to the last fastening point. Periodically, the Magnetic Pen adds fastening points to the border to anchor
previous sections.
Click to add fastening points, and continue tracing.
4. If the border doesn't snap to the desired edge, click once to add a fastening point manually and to keep the border from moving. Continue to
trace the edge and add fastening points as needed. If you make a mistake, press Delete to remove the last fastening point.
5. To dynamically modify the properties of the Magnetic Pen, do one of the following:
Alt-drag (Windows) or Option-drag (Mac OS) to draw a freehand path.
Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) to draw straight segments.
Press the open square bracket key ([) to decrease the Magnetic Pen width by 1 pixel; press the close square bracket key (]) to increase
the pen width by 1 pixel.
6. Complete the path:
Press Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac OS) to end an open path.
Double-click to close the path with a magnetic segment.
Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS), and double-click to close the path with a straight segment.
More Help topics
Legal Notices | Online Privacy Policy
, select Magnetic in the options bar, or click the inverted arrow next to the
To the top