LeviFiction wrote:I'm not sure I understand what you mean. True my three steps don't have "adjust shape until you have what you want" instead just implying it in step two. But it's still all the same. With the exception that in Xara the image is still a shape and can be edited as such. But that's a Xara vs PSP thing. Shape Cutter only works on vectors because it's only available with vector tools active. So you have all of the flexibility of vectors for creating the shapes. The only thing this doesn't do is add a vector the full size of the image and preset the transparency of the layer. But if you're just going to be making a smaller shape anyway, not a big difference.
And yes, anything earlier than X7 would require a script to replace the shape cutter. Essentially just the second half of your script would do the job quite nicely. No need to for using the pause script option, just that last half as its own script to be used with any vector that's been laid down.
I was actually dealing with a couple of things brought up by JC's original post where he described the various steps that Xara could do (and his recent video of those steps). So yes, if one wants to follow the same steps then, adding the extra steps/clicks shown in your video (changing the mode after drawing the shape, then decreasing the layer visibility, etc.) will achieve the same thing with (I think) the same number of steps as with Xara. While your "adjust shape" was implied, that also meant that changing the mode was also implied because, without that, you don't have the handles/nodes to do the adjust shape, unless I'm missing something.
But then Joelle replied with some steps in PSP that would, as I recall she said, be as easy as with Xara. And I replied that, if scripted, it would be easier. By that I meant one only had to do 2 clicks, the first that would already provide a semi-transparent lith with adjustable handles so as to allow the user to make the adjustments that JC makes in Xara, and a second click to get the completed image with rounded corners (or, if desired, an ellipse).
The script, then, eliminates the person having to first draw the shape, then decrease the layer opacity, and then select the mode to get the handles/nodes to make changes to the shape and its position. The script also eliminates the other steps in your video of having to go back to the original image and delete 2 vector layers if you want to put the original back to its pristine (i.e., unaltered) state because this is already accomplished with the script.
So I was just saying that a script would make things easier than Xara because it's only 2 clicks to get from start to final new image and unaltered original image, and my original intent in my reply to Joelle's post was to say that it's less steps using a script.
And just now that I think of it, the rounded rectangle script can actually make an ellipse too. Once you have the height and width adjusted to your liking, you just have to drag the corner nodes down to the center node vertically and horizontally and you have an ellipse. Click the scripts again and you have your new ellipse shaped image plus your original restored to make another crop should you desire. Similarly, if you want to go back to the original and make a square rectangle you again just resize and position to taste then move the left rounded corner nodes towards and onto the upper left corner node and you have a square cornered rectangle.
But either way, whatever tools you use in PSP to get the job done, my point was that scripting it saves clicks.
