Tutorial
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This tutorial will teach you how to make dotted/dashed lines in Photoshop. The exact same as the brushes you've been using/seeing all over
the place, but now you can do it without using brushes.
I'll have to assume you know how to use the pen tool and its functions. If not, please read
[url=http://www.createblog.com/tutorials/download.php?id=60]this tutorial[/url] on the basics of the pen tool.
Create a new document (Ctrl+N or File>New). Make a new layer by pressing Ctrl+Shift+N or clicking on the layer palette:
Pick the pen tool (letter P on your keyboard).
Click the proper buttons so that your pen toolbar looks like this:
Make a path and it doesn't have to be a closed path. This is how mine looks:
Next, click on the brush tool (letter B on your keyboard).
This next step is important. Go to your Brushes palette (F5 or Window>Brushes on the menu) and choose a round, default Photoshop brush.
Make the size small; I used 2px. You must change the spacing for the brush or it will just look like a regular line in the end. 400% is fine,
though you can choose a smaller/larger value.
Click the pen tool once again, right-click anywhere on the canvas, and choose 'Stroke Path'. Choose the Brush option from the drop down
menu and leave 'Simulate Pressure' unchecked for now.
Now, delete the path. Right-click on the canvas and choose 'Delete Path'.
This is what you should be seeing:
NOTE: You don't necessarily have to use the pen tool if you're not very experienced with it. After you've picked the proper brush settings, you can simply use the brush and paint on the canvas but most often, the pen tool gives you smoother curves.
You can also check 'Simulate Pressure' when using the stroke function. Basically, the ends of the path are faded.
Use different brushes for different outcomes! Have fun. =)
the place, but now you can do it without using brushes.
I'll have to assume you know how to use the pen tool and its functions. If not, please read
[url=http://www.createblog.com/tutorials/download.php?id=60]this tutorial[/url] on the basics of the pen tool.
Create a new document (Ctrl+N or File>New). Make a new layer by pressing Ctrl+Shift+N or clicking on the layer palette:
Pick the pen tool (letter P on your keyboard).
Click the proper buttons so that your pen toolbar looks like this:
Make a path and it doesn't have to be a closed path. This is how mine looks:
Next, click on the brush tool (letter B on your keyboard).
This next step is important. Go to your Brushes palette (F5 or Window>Brushes on the menu) and choose a round, default Photoshop brush.
Make the size small; I used 2px. You must change the spacing for the brush or it will just look like a regular line in the end. 400% is fine,
though you can choose a smaller/larger value.
Click the pen tool once again, right-click anywhere on the canvas, and choose 'Stroke Path'. Choose the Brush option from the drop down
menu and leave 'Simulate Pressure' unchecked for now.
Now, delete the path. Right-click on the canvas and choose 'Delete Path'.
This is what you should be seeing:
NOTE: You don't necessarily have to use the pen tool if you're not very experienced with it. After you've picked the proper brush settings, you can simply use the brush and paint on the canvas but most often, the pen tool gives you smoother curves.
You can also check 'Simulate Pressure' when using the stroke function. Basically, the ends of the path are faded.
Use different brushes for different outcomes! Have fun. =)
Tutorial Comments
Showing latest 10 of 13 comments
For whom asked how you make it dashed, you skew the brush into a flat line brush instead of the dot. its following the pattern of the brush selected. so whatever you choose is what it will be.
By signifiedreign on Jun 5, 2008 2:03 am
=] nice
By N4th4li3L on Apr 13, 2008 12:49 am
the tutorial is awesome.
ive been wondering how to make dashed and dotted lines
thanks XD
By aleece on Aug 31, 2007 12:58 pm
Nice tutorial. But how do you make it dashed then?
By markmejia on Aug 6, 2007 4:06 am
it not working for me
By 727e on Jul 8, 2007 1:20 am
Yay. Glad it's useful.
By shadowfax on Sep 21, 2006 2:30 pm
I REALLY LOVE YOU MONA!! I've been looking for a way to do this for... a long time. THANK YOU!!
By Aerjae on Sep 20, 2006 3:25 am
Total.Pwnage.
By silentSCREAMS on Sep 17, 2006 2:23 pm
By kayceeisms on Sep 4, 2006 10:11 pm
MONA I NEVER KNEW HOW TO MAKE THESEx;you are our hero
By Jeng on Aug 30, 2006 2:11 pm
