coat of arms or shields is PS

[Vellum]

Anyone help me out here. I would like to produce a couple of coat of arms in photoshop (CS3) to use on maps at a later date. So the question is how do you setup your templates for this, what size etc. Should I draw up the outline, in say illustrator, to keep the shape mirrored on a centerline or what? Any suggestions would be greatfull.

Thanks Vellum

[J.Edward]

Hey Vellum. If you are going to do it in PS I would start with a large template as you can always reduce the size later to fit on your map. That size really depends on how big your maps tend to be. As for creating a template... well, you could do that with the pen tool. Or just draw one side, duplicate that layer, flip horizontally and position it.
I'll try to throw together a few screenshots for you here in a minute.

[J.Edward]

Start with a simple line segment.
Clipboard01.jpg
Then convert the points and pull the arms to create the curves you want.
Clipboard02.jpg
Duplicate that path. Then go to edit>transform path>scale. once there the flip horizontal option will be available.
Clipboard03.jpg
Now copy that path. Go back to your first path and paste in the 2nd path.
Clipboard04.jpg
Now you have one full path of that shield shape.
If you want additional lines in there just do those before you duplicate. It's pretty quick to do.

[Azélor]

I use these: 120+ Vector Shields, Coat of Arm

You can open the files in photoshop but you will need to pixelixe them.

[J.Edward]

That's a nice option Azelor. It would save time I suppose.
Something I did in a few minutes from my earlier example.
Sample shield 01.png

[Vellum]

Azelor Thanks for the link, I downloaded them for reference

J.Edward, I'll give your examples a shot tomorrow when I have the time and I fresh LOL. I have trouble with paths for some reason, things never go where I want them to, those little devils!!. I'll probably do a 1024 x 1024 image for the first one to see how it turns out. Thanks again.

[J.Edward]

No problem Vellum. That's part of why I like to help with paths - they used to frustrate me until I got used to using them. Now they can be quite helpful and fast.

edit -
I did a pdf tutorial today for Vellum and thought I'd put it up for anyone else who may be interested.
It's just a rough tutorial but it works.
JS Photoshop tutorial - Paths and stroke 2014.pdf

[Diamond]

This is a tutorial that I wrote a couple of years ago: http://www.cartographersguild.com/tu...photoshop.html

If I was to write it today, it would be a bit different, since I've refined/changed a lot of my workflow for things like this, but maybe it will be of some use to you...

[Ceremonsen]

I use these: 120+ Vector Shields, Coat of Arm
You can open the files in photoshop but you will need to pixelixe them.

Thanks Azelor!
Quite useful source.

...
I did a pdf tutorial today for Vellum and thought I'd put it up for anyone else who may be interested.
It's just a rough tutorial but it works.
JS Photoshop tutorial - Paths and stroke 2014.pdf

Thanks J.Edward!