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Online User Guide - Adobe Photoshop
Using Mountain High Maps with Photoshop

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Using Photoshop Paths

Two "Paths" files are supplied with your Mountain High Maps set: one containing drawn features such as coastlines and rivers, the other containing text names. We have supplied two files to minimize any memory problems you may encounter when opening or using such complex files. If you have problems opening these files even after allocating as much memory as you can to Photoshop--don't despair--you can use the masks on the discs to achieve exactly the same results. See later in this chapter for information on how to use masks.

Paths are essentially vector lines which have similar properties to the lines in the Illustrator files, and can be manipulated in much the same way. They also have the added advantage of being convertible to pixel selections, fills, and strokes which can then be further edited using Photoshop's many image-manipulation features. Although we have included a full suite of bitmap masks, you can also use the paths files to speedily create masks of your own. Using masks is described later in this chapter.

Using the paths with Mountain High Maps couldn't be simpler:
- In Photoshop, first open the relief version of the map you wish to edit (the "target" document).
- Then open one of the corresponding Paths files for that map. This should open a new window.
- Make sure that the "Paths" floating palette is visible (select "Show Paths" from the "Window" menu).
- This will display all of the path layers we have generated for the map that you have open.
- Then, click down on the path label - on the band area that says the path name - it will highlight.
- Then, drag the path you require anywhere onto the target document - relief map.
- This will load the path into that document. They will fit exactly.
- Note: If you try to copy / paste or drag the "selected" paths into the relief window they will not align correctly.
- If you wish to load additional paths and keep them all separate, make sure that no paths are selected in the target document (i.e. deselect them all) before dragging in a new path.

- To activate a path layer, click on that layer in the palette.
- Then click on the arrow at top right of the palette.
- The pop-up menu will display a list of options available for that layer.
- For example, a path can be turned into a pixel selection by choosing "Make Selection" from the pop-up menu.
- You can then edit the map using any of Photoshop's manipulation features or save the selection as an Alpha Channel.

Activate a Path by clicking on it. You can then apply fills and strokes as desired directly to the path, or you can turn it into a selection with which you can carry out further manipulation or apply effects such as drop shadows.

To stroke a path, select "Stroke Path..." from the pop-up menu. This will display a dialog box with a list of tools. Selecting any of these tools will apply whatever values you have defined in the "Options" and "Brushes" palettes for the tool to the path you have activated.

To move a path, choose the "Path Select Tool" at the left of the tool bar on the Paths palette. Draw a "marquee" around the path you wish to move, then click on the activated path, and, without releasing the mouse button, move the path to where you want it.

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