Stroking a path...

[KrispyKarim]

Is there a way to stroke a path with varying weight throughout the line? (photoshop)

[nyc_skater]

I think the only way to do this if I understand you correctly is to do it in illustrator, turn the stroke into a path, then play with the beziers to get the desired effect you want.

[KrispyKarim]

hmm, that's somewhat harder when I'm looking to draw hairlines that are 1 pixel wide in some spots, and 3-4 pixels wide in others

[nyc_skater]

Are you talking curvy lines that blend into one another, or sides of a box, some sides 1 pix, others more?

hmm, that's somewhat harder when I'm looking to draw hairlines that are 1 pixel wide in some spots, and 3-4 pixels wide in others

[KrispyKarim]

curvy lines that blend into eachother, like hair.

[mac.FINN]

I always draw the line I want, double it and move it a few pixels off. Then move just the ends back together and join the points. Then play with the beziels to get the right thickness in the right areas.

[nyc_skater]

hmm, maybe using a brush or tablet, i still think vector is the way to go but I've never tried anything like that in PS, i'm sure someone else here will be able to help.

I'm so sorry

[urstwile]

So like a calligraphic type of thing? Like you'd draw with a calligraphy pen or some such?

Draw your path. Load the calligraphic brushes. Select a brush (adjust the diameter to where you want it). I also had to fiddle with some of the settings in the brushes palette (in particular, shape dynamics). Rough example attached:

[KrispyKarim]

So like a calligraphic type of thing? Like you'd draw with a calligraphy pen or some such?

Draw your path. Load the calligraphic brushes. Select a brush (adjust the diameter to where you want it). I also had to fiddle with some of the settings in the brushes palette (in particular, shape dynamics). Rough example attached:

I ended up doing that. However there is one problem. The reason for this is perspective. Thicker lines closer, thinner further. The caligraphy brush may do the effect, but there's really very little control as to thickness other than the direction of the stroke.

Case in point. Lines moving from top left to bottom right on a "/" brush will be thick, where as top right to bottom left will be thin. What if I wanted a line to go from thin to thick while travelling from top right to bottom left? or vice versa?

[urstwile]

I think you are ultimately going to have to vectorize the puppy, as some of the other suggestions stated. The brush method doesn't provide for much control.

Unless you paint first and um, rotate later. Could you show an example of what you're trying to accomplish? I'm having trouble visualizing from your post.

[KrispyKarim]

I guess the effect I'm going for is this one: http://www.designbybuild.com/archive/w.jpg

The final product is to resemble hair floating underwater.

[nyc_skater]

I think If I had to recreate that, if I wasn't going to go the Illustrator route which you seem against, the next solution for me would be to actually draw the lines with a decent pencil and start scanning. From there you can adjust contrast etc...you can even draw most of the lines you need first and place them all afterwards.

I still think Vector will be the cleanest though.

[1ooScreamingTrees]

The best way to do what you're going for is to use a Wacom Tablet...

Push harder, thick line - push lighter, thin line... and any other setting you would like to be made pressure sensitive.

You can pick up a small graphire 3 that will get the job done for about ~$80 and is well worth it.