The Pen Tool Nightmare

[NinjaKirby]

Hey everyone, new member here.

Been using PSP for a reasonable time period (PSP7/8/9/X4), and am currently using X4.

For as long as I can remember the Pen Tool has exhibited some rather frustrating behaviour in some circumstances that I'm wondering if anyone is aware of and perhaps has a solution for.

I just mocked up an image for it, picture worth thousand words etc. (attached to post)

So basically, when you move a Node sometimes it'll move LESS then a regular pixel, and as a result lines can quickly get very wonky when moving them about. I don't understand why nodes act this way, I would just love it to follow the canvas' established smallest resolution - normal individual pixels.

To get around this you have to highlight *every* node and move it together to find the "new established sub-pixel resolution grid", then move the Nodes individually again. I dunno if it's the Zooming in and out of the canvas that causes the grid to malfunction and make nodes move weird or not, but... ARGH< someone must know this plight right!? TELL ME ITS NOT JUST ME, lol.

Thanks -_-

~ NinjaKirby

[trueblue]

A drawn vector image with show nodes selected. If you can't see them fully, go to the layers palette, click on the visiblity toggle (eye). If there's any colour in the shape, this will hide it so you can just view the vector.

With a right click convert to path. Use the pen tool to edit nodes and move where you want them. Also right click and select an Edit Node.

If you have problems getting straight lines, pull down guides from the ruler.

If you want all nodes selected, click on one, right click, select all. All nodes are selected. They will be black. When done, right click, select none.

As for using the pen, preset shapes and shape tools I don't have any issue with them.

Zooming should have any effect on the vector or grid.

[NinjaKirby]

A drawn vector image with show nodes selected. If you can't see them fully, go to the layers palette, click on the visiblity toggle (eye). If there's any colour in the shape, this will hide it so you can just view the vector.

With a right click convert to path. Use the pen tool to edit nodes and move where you want them. Also right click and select an Edit Node.

If you have problems getting straight lines, pull down guides from the ruler.

If you want all nodes selected, click on one, right click, select all. All nodes are selected. They will be black. When done, right click, select none.

As for using the pen, preset shapes and shape tools I don't have any issue with them.

Zooming should have any effect on the vector or grid.

Hey, sorry for the late reply.

Some good tips there, I should probably adopt Rulers more often, they seem handy.

I have to be honest though, it doesn't sort of... explain what's going on Having a closer look at some of the vectors currently "giving me trouble", somehow the Nodes are completely unaligned to the pixel level grid, the lowest common denominator when it comes to "snapping" per say. The node is between the pixels, it's in an "impossible" position (Red dots roughly signify where relocating the node could go, it's original position as shown is no longer allowed). It appears it is this that is constantly throwing me off. God knows how they are ending up like that, but it's frequent enough to drive me marbles. It's something I will have to remain concious of and observe next time I handle Nodes/Vectors.

It also seems to be just me though, so maybe I'm trying to do things I'm not supposed to do with vectors in a graphics suite like this I can live with this, I always have, it's just an irritating thing; a great example of a first world problem, let's face it, heh.

Kind regards,
NinjaKirby