What: "It's Going to Be All Write: An AMVer's Guide to the Pen Tool" - a 16-page PDF which may be used both as a reference guide and step-by-step
tutorial. The document includes numerous Flash animations illustrating everything from anchorpoint and workpath behavior to basic and advanced pen tool functions. This is not a mask-making tutorial, although the focus of the guide is to demonstrate how the pen tool and workpaths are preferred over selection tools and "marching ants" when setting out to make masks.
Why: The pen tool is your friend and can save any AMVer hours of work creating masks and custom shapes for their videos. Unfortunately, many people are scared to death of the pen tool and/or do not use it to its full potential.
Who: I'm a professional graphic designer who was once quite confused and daunted by the pen tool, but now love it dearly having learned its proper use.
The tutorial should be ready for a final review by a few volunteers in the next week or two. Volunteers must have Adobe Photoshop 7.0+ and be willing to download the latest version of Adobe Reader (8 something...8.0?) which is free and no big deal. If you are interested in giving me a hand, please e-mail me (driftroot@animemusicvideos.org) ASAP. Past guinea pigs also are welcome, of course!
Thanks! I am really looking forward to putting up this tutorial and calling it a year so I can get back to my AMVs.
