Vector Layers

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ABOUT VECTOR LAYERS
In this brief tutorial, I am going to show you how to use vector layers to manipulate your images around, in the end you can turn them into raster layers. If you are confused about raster layers, go to the tutorial on raster layers on the main psp tips page and read over it. So for now I am assuming that you know about raster layers *By the way I am using PSP7 but all will apply for psp6, just the diagrams may look a little different when viewing for psp6.* So with this in mind let's get started on our paints!

USING VECTOR LAYERS ON PRESET SHAPESThe best way that I can demonstrate how to use vector layers is through using our preset shapes. Let's go ahead and make a new image by going to file/new and you can go ahead and use any size or color, but for this tutorial I am going to go with a white background and my sizes will be 102 width & 116 height. Now on your menu on the left side in psp, look for the preset shapes. You can place your cursor on each icon and they will tell you what each stands for, but this is what you are looking for highlighted in yellow:

After right clicking on the preset shapes icon, a box will come up, click on tool options. Now another box will come up and set your settings to this:






*Note that you can click on the box beside the shape and you can scroll through different kinds of shapes to use, same goes for the line style, plus change the color of your shape by using the color palette, but make sure that retain style is NOT checked.* Now with your vector checked, you want to place your cursor anywhere on your image and the shift button on your keyboard at the same time. You don't have to shift, but this will help control the movement of the shape. After you do this you will have what is similar to this:





See the box around your image? Well that my friend is the beauty of it all, you can place your cursor on the ends of each square box and move around the image. Go ahead and let's make this circle into an oval. Stretch out both left and right sides of the box to make it look like an oval, plus if the oval is not postioned where you want it to go, then place your cursor in the center of the box and left click and drag to where you want it to go. This is how my image turned out:





All good for now, but I know what you are saying now...how do I remove the annoying looking boxes from my image? Well now you need to go to layers at the top of your PSP menu, click on layers then a box will come up, you want to click on convert to raster layers. Now this changed your vector layer into raster layers. And when you are all done with your layering, don't forget to click on layers/merge all(flatten). And this is about what your finished product will look like:





OTHER OPTIONS TO USE IN VECTOR LAYERS
Please don't forget that vector layers can be used on other things too besides shapes. They are real handy with working with your draw tools, and text too. Just don't be afraid to play around with layers, because they can really make your image NICE!