How to Draw Vector Swirls on Photoshop CS5

With Photoshop CS5, you can create vector graphics, such as swirls, for your digital art. Vector graphics are images made up of points and lines based on mathematical equations. These images are high quality and do not distort like normal images do when resized. Photoshop provides the “Pen Tool,” which creates vector paths that you can use to draw a vector swirl.

Instructions

1. • 1
     Launch Photoshop CS5. Click “File” and select “New” to open a new blank document.
   • 2
     Select a color from the color palette. Click the “Brush Tool” and select one of the “Hard Round” brushes. Select the brush size in the top toolbar and set the brush to 100% opacity.
   • 3
     Click and hold the “Pen Tool,” then select “Freeform Pen Tool” from the drop-down menu.
   • 4
     Click on your document at the place where you want your swirl to begin. Press and hold the mouse button, then draw a swirl shape. When you release the mouse button, Photoshop will create a vector path following the created shape.
   • 5
     Right-click, select “Stroke Path,” then click “OK.” Photoshop will draw your vector swirl using the thickness of the “Hard Round” brush and the color you selected from the palette. Right-click and select “Delete Path.” This removes the path line from your vector image. Repeat this process to draw as many vector swirls as you need.