Need help with basic shapes and design

[cuda]

I am sure you could and did when I have time to play with it. The guy I talked to said its easy and will crank it out hopefully sooner than later. He said he can use layers and I can move the anchors and adjust the images etc. So I have high hopes. I might just do it like I have had to do other images, have one of my guys just draw it on paper, scan it and use illustrator to capture it. I know that's the hard way but its the way I know.

 

[cuda]

Oh, mine stay there. I will try it again.

 

[IamSam]

Also, if your interested, just create a new layer, turn off or delete the previous layer, and start with your Pen Tool again......don't drag the tool this time.

 

[cuda]

I think the problem is the order in which the points are laid down, I don't know the system so I cant just imagine where the points are suppose to go. I tried that and I just get a bunch of triangles. Do I draw the main line and add the ends? Do I draw the shapes first and merge them? Your picture looks like what I am trying to do but I get no where trying to do it myself. I know I am missing something simple but have no idea what it is.

 

[IamSam]

Do I draw the main line and add the ends?

No, your drawing the shape in it's entirety, it's like using a pencil and a ruler.


Do I draw the shapes first and merge them?

No.

Would you like a short video on the matter?

 

[cuda]

Uh....YEAH! I think just using the bolt you did and the heart I can make this thing in Fireworks with my primitive skills but would love to know how to do it the right way. I am not looking to be a guru but would love to know the basics. I guess I need to find a good tutorial to go through. Sorry if I sound short but I had this CS stuff dumped on my lap and I am expected to be an expert from day one. Getting Dreamweaver to make a killer professional looking website was my first failure (should have only taken me a few hours or so I am told) I did get a decent website using a template and a few hundred hours later but these logos are killing me and never look right on the website. All of this is about 1% of my job so I get frustrated. I realize this is a skill that takes you guys years to master I just don't have the years, so I came here. Anything that would help is appreciate and what you have done already really helps.

 

[IamSam]

Ok, it may take a little while. Be patient and keep checking.

 

[ALB68]

It's an issue with IE10 and the uploader. Go to Chrome.

I can't, I will try another forum. The upload files on this forum is non-functioning. It just sits there trying to upload so I cant get the files to you. Thanks for the offer though.

 

[cuda]

When I get this can I save the bolt as an image that can edited to change thickness of the bolt or resize? What I am use to fireworks would be the heart and the bolt and two separate items and then make them both the color I want and just make the image. I tried that with your bolt but it seems to just be an image so I cant do much with it, color, adjust etc.

 

[cuda]

I did try Chrome and it worked great, thanks.

 

[cuda]

Well in fireworks the tool works like a champ. I just traced your bolt and it worked just as you said with PS. I just traced around the edges and when I clicked the final dot to finish the shape I just had to color fill. Its not really what I wanted as I don't think I can resize the whole thing but maybe I can merge then to make one item. Not sure why PS does not let me draw this way.

 

[IamSam]

Ok.......

Watch this in full screen mode and at 720p.

I did this fast but you can get the idea.

 

[cuda]

Nice video, no wonder I had trouble. I can't visualize where its going as easy as you just did. I made the image in fireworks tracing your image and it did let me resize so maybe now I can import that picture into illustrator as one time I was able to use that to create a vector file from a pic I downloaded of the internet. Then I should have something that scales right?

 

[IamSam]

Yes. I'm glad that worked for you!

Yes, I can and did trace your original lightning bolt using the Pen Tool.

 

[cuda]

That's pretty much what I made in Fireworks. I cant trace the heart in AI but I think I can capture the whole thing in AI from the png file Fireworks produced right? Then I just have to figure out how to export the different size pics I need for the website and hope they do not look too horrendous.

 

[cuda]

Making the heart has something to do with that crazy pen tool and dragging though right? How else can I vector the heart without a bazillion anchors? So when I have time to tackle that part I have some idea what to do. Thanks for all the help thus far. All this really helps a lot.

 

[ALB68]

cuda.
You should be able to scale this anyway you want without any degradation of quality.
I was about to jump into this thread when it first started, but I had a long winded guest arrive and the other guys helped you. Look like you got it resolved but really, it is a 5 minute job in PS.
Welcome to the forum!

Nice video, no wonder I had trouble. I can't visualize where its going as easy as you just did. I made the image in fireworks tracing your image and it did let me resize so maybe now I can import that picture into illustrator as one time I was able to use that to create a vector file from a pic I downloaded of the internet. Then I should have something that scales right?

 

[IamSam]

Well, you could use a custom shape heart, otherwise you will have to use the Pen tool and drag the curves!

 

[cuda]

IAMSAM, thanks a lot. I was able to merge the two in fireworks then saved it. I opened it in AI and did an image trace "make and expand" and now its vector. So that's what I was asked for so that's done. Now I will try and make it look pretty in a jpeg that will be the background for the logo banner.

 

[IamSam]

Great! I don't feel as though I helped much, but I'm glad you got what you needed!!!!