Arrows for callouts

**Buda** · 09-11-2006, 11:12 PM

Pen tool?

I don't get your question I think...

urstwile · 09-11-2006, 11:13 PM

What program are you using?

mimitho · 09-12-2006, 12:37 AM

I'd like to use the line tool in Photoshop, since it makes a nice pretty arrowhead for me. Usually I set up with arrowhead at the start of the line. So what I want to do is to start at the arrowhead, click where I want to elbow in the line and then click where I want to end of the line. Sorta like this:

This is two lines, but it's lots and lots of clicks, and it's just joined by eye.

I've used the pen tool, but things get hairy with the arrowheads.

I've added control points to the arrowhead path later, but then the arrowhead looks cockeyed.

I was hoping to find a feature in Photoshop, like holding down control while I clicked at the elbow, to indicate that there was more line to come.

Thanks for your attentions.

urstwile · 09-12-2006, 01:12 AM

So you're not always sure whether your line will have an elbow or not? Is that the question?

So, if you've already got a line set up, option click on the last point on your segment (sorry, not sure if you're on Mac or PC, I'm guessing it would be alt-click if you're PC). This will connect the next point that you click to your existing line, instead of having two separate lines that you join.

Alternatively, you can just add a point to your existing line segment, and then drag the last point around to where you need it.

The_Black_Knight · 09-12-2006, 12:59 PM

Is there some reason that you can't do this in Illustrator instead? Using Illustrator, you could create the lines that you need, and add the arrowheads using the Effect --> Stylize --> Add Arrowheads function.

Photoshop is great for working with pixel based images. Use Illustrator for vector artwork.

EDIT: If you're working with photographs, text, and vector artwork, then use InDesign or QuarkXPress.

Silence04 · 09-12-2006, 01:08 PM

if this is going to another artist, you can just use Photoshop Notes...

RWakefield · 09-12-2006, 03:54 PM

Yeah, given the option, I would use Illustrator, and then not use an elbow - I'd used a curved line, and then use the Stylize function to add an arrow head.

Speaking of Photoshop notes - has anyone ever used the Audio note function in Photoshop? What's the sound quality like?

mimitho · 09-12-2006, 11:07 PM

Thanks for the tips. Part of the problem is that it's not always clear at first where you'll put the ending points for the arrows because the labels can be of great varying length. Usually I need to point out things that are stacked close together, but I don't want to obscure some other important part of the picture with the lines for the callouts.

I think I'll use InDesign for the arrows and callout text - I can use it for more than web display then. I'm still pretty new with InDesign (as in VERY), can I join lines in it the same as Photoshop and Illistrator?

Thanks again for the input!

The_Black_Knight · 09-13-2006, 01:45 AM

Originally posted by mimitho

Thanks for the tips. Part of the problem is that it's not always clear at first where you'll put the ending points for the arrows because the labels can be of great varying length. Usually I need to point out things that are stacked close together, but I don't want to obscure some other important part of the picture with the lines for the callouts.

I think I'll use InDesign for the arrows and callout text - I can use it for more than web display then. I'm still pretty new with InDesign (as in VERY), can I join lines in it the same as Photoshop and Illistrator?

Thanks again for the input!

InDesign doesn't have the same join command that Illustrator does for paths, but you can add a point to a path the same way as in Illustrator using the pen tool.

Arrows for callouts

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