Very Computer

Yes, this is a very basic question, but I'm pretty new to PS.

I've been making triangles by slicing squares in half diagonally and then
rotating them.  I'm not satisfied with the results, especially as the
rotation causes the pixels to "fuzz out".

What's the best way to make triangle?  And if the answer is to use a vector
based program, do people recommend Illustrator or Freehand?

Re the second question, I'd prefer a simpler program that I can use for
creating web images.

Thanks.

For a triangle that doesn't require accurate angles or lengths, I use the
polygon lasso tool.
But if you want better control....
First make sure that the info palette is visible (window->show info from
menu)
and choose the line tool.
Notice in the info palette when you start drawing your line the CMYK section
will change to give you the angle of the line as well as the x,y, and
distance.
Works great for unfilled or solid triangles .To fill it with a pattern first
make it a solid colour then select and fill it.

Trigonometry reminder
   | *      <---- this angle
   |    *
y  |      * distance
   |         *
   |            *
  *********
         x

If you are good with trigonometry the sharpest result is to create a grid of
the proper dimensions and snap polygon lines to corner points. But if you
need that kind of accuracy you should probably consider a CAD program.

Good Luck

Quote:> What's the best way to make triangle?  And if the answer is to use a
vector
> based program, do people recommend Illustrator or Freehand?

There is a simple way:
Choose text, font:"Charting"
Lower case "s" will give you a triangle with two equal legs and
upper case "S" give you a triangle with three equal legs.
Total dimension is given by the dimension of the letter or otherwise by
scaling.
vdRee

Quote:>Yes, this is a very basic question, but I'm pretty new to PS.

>I've been making triangles by slicing squares in half diagonally and then
>rotating them.  I'm not satisfied with the results, especially as the
>rotation causes the pixels to "fuzz out".

>What's the best way to make triangle?  And if the answer is to use a vector
>based program, do people recommend Illustrator or Freehand?

>Re the second question, I'd prefer a simpler program that I can use for
>creating web images.

>Thanks.

Or would you like the simplest way? Go to your polygonal (straight-edged)
lasso tool.

Click in your image to start (first corner), click where you want the second
corner, click for the third corner, and click where you began to close. Then
just stroke or fill it!  (ta-da!)

-Laura-
The SuperSite: http://home.earthlink.net/~gfdesignlv/

No, these are all weak answers. Use the path tool! Perfect control. Fastest
editing.

Just use the line tool. Check the 'end' button on the arrowheads section in
the tools palette. You can change the size of the arrowhead, but I haven't
used it much, so just play around with it until you get what you need. It's
not that hard...

Brett Guillory.
--
Visit Toasty's Town - your place on the net for... something!
http://www.angelfire.com/la/toastystown/index.html

Quote:> Yes, this is a very basic question, but I'm pretty new to PS.

> I've been making triangles by slicing squares in half diagonally and then
> rotating them.  I'm not satisfied with the results, especially as the
> rotation causes the pixels to "fuzz out".

> What's the best way to make triangle?  And if the answer is to use a
vector
> based program, do people recommend Illustrator or Freehand?

> Re the second question, I'd prefer a simpler program that I can use for
> creating web images.

> Thanks.

Download a whole program just to do a triangle? Toasty's line tool method
was the right one here. Photoshop can handle a triangle just fine. No, I'm
not knocking Fireworks or any other fine products from Macromedia.

I'm not on your case here Macromed5; we've danced around or two before you
and I, but clearly you came off like a pitchman that time.

aptavius

Quote:> > What's the best way to make triangle?  And if the answer is to
> > use a vector based program, do people recommend Illustrator
> > or Freehand? Re the second question, I'd prefer a simpler program
> > that I can use for creating web images.

> Sounds like you might want to try the Fireworks trial version from the
> Macromedia site, then. Why?

> --  has your usual polygon/star tool, to make triangles and more directly

> --  as a vector program, the painterly brushstrokes remain editable after
you
> make them... if you pull out the peak of the triangle, or add other points
to
> it or bend out a side, then the oil bristles, paper texture, beveling and
> shadowing all automatically follow your edits

> --  contains other common requests like editable text-on-a-curve, complete
with
> vertical skewing for 3D effects

> --  then, for the web graphics, it still has the best pure-GIF compression
> engine, lets you create rotation/scaling animations, has a very elegant
> slicing/behavior model to go out to various HTML editors, much more.

> Fireworks is precisely tuned for web delivery, and integrates the common
> functions people actually use -- things remain editable all throughout
your
> design work. It's faster than older methods and integrates with a wider
range
> of tools.

> It's an easy way to make a triangle.... ;-)

> jd

> John Dowdell, Macromedia Tech Support, San Francisco CA US
> Technotes: http://www.macromedia.com/support/search/powersearch.htm
> Public forums have first claim on support hours -- for private email,
> see Priority Access at http://www.macromedia.com/support/

Course, then again if I just read the post thoroughly I wouldn't stick my
big fat foot in my mouth now would I. Sorry bout that macromed he did
mention wanting some advise on a program didn't he. My fault...

aptavius

Quote:>> What's the best way to make triangle?  And if the answer is to
>> use a vector based program, do people recommend Illustrator
>> or Freehand? Re the second question, I'd prefer a simpler program
>> that I can use for creating web images.

>Sounds like you might want to try the Fireworks trial version from the
>Macromedia site, then. Why?

How to do it in Photoshop:

------
STEP 1
------

Use the polygonal lasso tool to make a polygonal selection (shortcut:
L key or Shift+L to select it on the toolbar).

** Hint: the triangle (in your case) is closed if a circle appears on
the polygonal lasso cursor.

------
STEP 2
------

"Stroke" your selection (Edit menu / Stroke...)

Voila - here's your triangle.

[Advanced stuff]

Check this out:

1. draw a circular or elliptical selection (shortcut: Shift M to
switch between rectangular and circular selection tools, M to
activate)

2. subtract e.g. a rectangular part at the bottom of your selection
(by holding the 'Alt' key while making your selection).

3. add another rectangular area at the top of the circle.

4. Select / Feather: width 10

5. Edit / Stroke: width 5

Just to show you a tiny fraction of the things you can do without
purchasing any other tool besides what you already have (Photoshop)
...

Regards,

Moritz

real email address (delete the _ underscores)

If you prefer editable "vectors" instead, you can of course also use
the pen tool (shortcut p) which gives you additional flexibility on
top of what you get with selections.

Stick the grid lines on and zoom in to see them and use the lasso tool and
the info tab to get the perfect triangle using pixel dimensions and xy
coords.

Quote:> Yes, this is a very basic question, but I'm pretty new to PS.

> I've been making triangles by slicing squares in half diagonally and then
> rotating them.  I'm not satisfied with the results, especially as the
> rotation causes the pixels to "fuzz out".

> What's the best way to make triangle?  And if the answer is to use a
vector
> based program, do people recommend Illustrator or Freehand?

> Re the second question, I'd prefer a simpler program that I can use for
> creating web images.

> Thanks.