Paint Shop Pro: Part 2 of our Free PSP Training Course

Duplicating Vector Objects

Paint Shop Pro has several Paste functions for copying objects. Which command you use depends on the type of object you’re working with and the purpose for duplicating it. With most vector objects, you’ll find it sufficient to simply copy the object and paste it as a new vector selection on the same layer:

1. Use the Object Selection tool to select the object you want to copy.

1. From the Edit menu, select Copy.
2. From the Edit menu, select Paste and, from the submenu, select Paste as New Vector Selection.
3. A copy of the object now “hovers” over the canvas.

Move the mouse to position the object where you want it and then click the mouse button to paste it. You can still move the object as necessary using the Object Selection tool.

Flipping and Mirroring Objects

Digital artists create a number of interesting objects by duplicating a core object and then flipping, mirroring, and rotating the duplicates. Flipping an object reverses its orientation along the horizontal axis, while mirroring reverses it along the vertical axis.

Note:

The Flip and Mirror commands affect all the objects on the layer. To flip or mirror a single object, it must occupy a layer of its own.

To flip an object:

1. Use the Object Selection tool to select the object you want to flip.

1. From the Image menu, select Flip.

The object is flipped:

To mirror an object:

1. Use the Object Selection tool to select the object you want to mirror.

1. From the Image menu, select Mirror.

The object is mirrored:

Rotating Vector Objects

To rotate vector objects:

1. Use the Object Selection tool to select the object you want to rotate.

1. Move the mouse over the rotation handle, the small square at the end of the line coming out of the center of the object (the pivot point). The mouse cursor should change to curved arrows:

1. Click and drag the rotation handle:

When you release the mouse button, the object is rotated.

You don’t have to rotate an object from the center; you can move the rotation pivot point (the small circle in the center of the object) to any location on the object, and then rotate the object around that point:

1. Holding down the Ctrl key, click and drag the rotation pivot point to a new position.

1. Click and drag the rotation handle to rotate the object.

The object is rotated along the new pivot point.

Changing the pivot point can help you to rotate an object more precisely. In the example above, the top of the petal was rotated toward its mirror petal, while the bottom remained in generally the same position.