Straight lines in Painter
 

Hi all,

Is there a way to paint a straight line in Painter similar to Photoshop? In Photoshop you simply hold the shift key for horizontal and vertical strokes. You can also click once, hold down shift, and click somewhere else for a straight line between the two points. I'm using Painter 8 and can't find a way to constrain a brush stroke. Jinn, any suggestions?

Thanks,

Wayne

Straight Line Strokes and Constraining Stroke Angles
 

Hi Wayne,

Read Painter 8 Help > Help Topics > Contents tab > Painting

On the right panel, click "Marking the Canvas".

On the next page, read the sections named:

• "Freehand vs. Straight-line Drawing"

• "Constraining Stroke Angles"


For people using other Painter versions, Painter IX, Painter 7, and Painter 6:


Read Painter IX Help > Help Topics > Contents tab > Painting

On the right panel, click "Marking the Canvas".

On the next page, read the sections named:

• "Freehand vs. Straight-line Drawing"

• "Constraining, Fading, and Undoing Strokes"


Read Painter 7 Help > Help Topics > Contents tab > Painter Help > Painting > Marking the Canvas > Freehand vs. Straight Line Drawing and Constraining Stroke Angles

Read Painter 6 > Help > Painting > Marking the Canvas > Freehand vs. Straight Line Drawing and Constraining Stroke Angles


If you're using Painter 5/5.5, use the terminology seen above to look up the information in Painter 5/5.5 > Help > Index.


Jinny

Thanks
 

Thanks Jinn, I will do that ASAP.

Wayne

Ok, I actually looked through the manual this time and found what I was looking to do. It basically works this way...

When using a standard brush, hit the "v" key to switch to straight line mode. Now click a starting point. It works like a rubber band. Whenever you click the next point, you get a straight line. Click again and you get a new line connecting to the end of the last line. Using this technique you can quickly create polygons. You can also click and drag rather than clicking an end point in space.

Now if you want a series of straight lines that aren't connected to each other (parallel lines, perspective lines, etc.) the techniques changes a bit. Again click the "v" to enter straight line mode, draw your straight line and release (or click your second point). Now hit the "b" key to return to freeform drawing mode. Now hit the "v" again for straight line, and you can begin a second straight line anywhere that is not tied to the first one you did. Add shift for horizontals, verticals and 45 degrees.

Not quite as easy as Photoshops method, but pretty simple when you get the hang of it. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction Jinny.

Wayne

Hi Wayne,

You're welcome, and yes, it is pretty easy once you get used to it.


Jinny

You can press "V" again instead of pressing "B" then "V" to start a second line.

Good to know, I hadn't tried that.