Simple Scrapbook Tag (2)

What we'll do: In this tutorial we'll make a simple tag with a rounded top, like the one below, and save it as a preset shape.

In a later tutorial, we'll look at how to use such shapes to make realistic-looking tags.

What you'll need: For this tutorial you'll need PSP 8.10 and the Jasc-supplied script VectorMergeAndCutoutSelected. If you have an earlier version of PSP 8, you can update your copy at http://www.jasc.com/support/updates/.

Steps:

Begin by opening a new image with Vector Background. The height and width can be whatever is comfortable for you to work in, with the aspect ratio (that is, the proportion of height to width) being approximately what it should be for the finished tag:

The new image canvas should look something like this:
Choose the Preset Shape tool and set the Shape to Rectangle. Check Anti-alias and Create as vector; uncheck Retain style:

On the Materials palette, set Stroke to Transparent and set Fill to any color except white (which wouldn't show up on the white background of the Preset Shape's shape drop-down list):

Start on the left edge, about two-thirds from the top of the image canvas, and drag down and to the right to define a rectangle:

Note: For the next few steps, you might find it handy to turn on the grid with View > Grid and to turn on the snap-to-grid feature with View > Snap to Grid. See PSP's Help file for more information on Snap to Grid.
Now we'll add a new node at the top of the rectangle. Choose the Pen tool and set Mode to Draw by clicking the pencil icon on the Tool Options palette:

Position the cursor in the center of the line segment defining the top of the rectangle. When the cursor is over the line segment, it will show a squiggle. Press the Ctrl key and a plus sign and the word Add appears, like this:

Click to add the new node. If you need to adjust the positioning of the node, position the cursor over the node. When the cursor is in the right position it will show a double-headed arrow that resembles the Mover tool. Click the node and drag it into position:

(If you have the grid showing and if Snap to Grid is toggled on, the position of the nodes is constrained by the grid, with the nodes "snapping to the grid" when you move them. In the examples shown here, the grid is toggled off.)
With the Pen tool still active, change the Mode to Edit by clicking the arrow icon on the Tool Options palette:

Right-click and choose Node Type > Symmetric.

Click the head of the arrow control that appears and drag out to the right, to make the top of the object curved, like this:
Notice that on the Layer palette the Rectangle object button is bolded, indicating that the object is selected:

Right-click on this object button and choose Select None.
Choose the Preset Shape tool, and set the Shape to Ellipse. With the Shift key held down, define a small circle near the top of the tag:

This circle will be the hole at the top of the tag. Drag it up or down if it is too low or too high. (If the grid and Snap to Grid are both on, the position of the circle is constrained by the grid. This can be helpful, but if it gets in your way, just toggle the grid off before attempting to draw or position the circle.)
You now need to select both the circle you just drew and the modified rectangle. On the Layer palette, click the Ellipse object button to select it. Then with the Shift key held down, click the Rectangle object button to select it as well. Both object buttons should then be bolded:

Center the two objects horizontally in the image canvas by choosing Objects > Align > Horz Center in Canvas. Then merge the two objects together and make the circle a cutout with the VectorMergeAndCutoutSelected script. Choose the script in the drop-down selection list on the Script palette, then click the Run Script button (the blue arrow):

The result will look like this:

(Note that this is an alternative to the method for cutting out a shape used in the Simple Tag (1) tutorial. Both of these methods for cut-outs produce the same result. Which method you choose to use regularly is simply a matter of personal preference.)
You're now just about ready to export your image as a shape. But first you must change the name of your object to something unique. Right-click the object button on the Layer palette and select Properties. In the Vector Property dialog box, change Name to whatever unique name you want for your shape:

When you're done, click OK.
Now export your shape with File > Export > Shape. Enter a name for your new shape library and click OK. The next time you use the Preset Shape tool, your new shape will appear in the shape drop-down list on the Tool Options palette.

(For more information on exporting shapes and modifying shape libraries, see PSP's Help file.)