Step 9: Resize pumpkin if necessary

We will be adding a stem to the top of the pumpkin. If you haven't left yourself enough space to do this you can follow this step, otherwise go on to Step 10. Resizing Vectors is easy and you can do it with no loss of quality.

Click on the main layer named Pumpkin to select it. Then activate the Object Selector Tool    and surround the entire pumpkin with a rectangle. This will select all sublayers containing shapes. If you look at your Layer Palette you will see that all sub-layers are bold and selected. This is similar to what we did in Step. 6.

Then grab a node on one of the corners of the rectangle surrounding the Pumpkin and drag inward, downward or whichever direction you need to make the pumpkin smaller. If you only use one of the corner nodes, you will not distort the pumpkin.

Once you have the pumpkin as small as you need, use the center node of the rectangle to reposition it until you have space for a stem.

Step 10: Stem for the Pumpkin

Choose a color or pattern that you would like from the Patterns in the Materials Palette. If you don't have the one I am using called Tan-green Scales you can download it by clicking the image on the right. After unzipping place in your Patterns folder.

Choose the Pen Tool from the Tool Bar (the one that looks like a pen) and use these settings.

Version 9  In the tool settings, for Mode use the Draw Point to Point - Bezier Curve button.

Connect Segments:  Un-checked
Create on Vector:  Checked
Show Nodes:  Checked
Line Style:  +Solid
Width:  13
Foreground/Stroke:  Pattern or color of your choice
Background/Fill:  Set to Null (turned off)

Version 8  In the tool settings, for Mode use the Drawing Mode button. Then choose Point to Point in the Segment Type.

Contiguous:  Un-checked
Create as Vector:  Checked
Line Style:  +Solid
Width:  13
Foreground/Stroke:  Pattern or color of your choice
Background/Fill:  Set to Null (turned off)

Both Versions: - Draw a curved line

Create a New Vector Layer above the Pumpkin Layer. Name the new layer Stem.

Click once with the mouse in an area above the pumpkin. This will be the starting point for an upwards curve. Give yourself enough space to make a stem. (We'll move it closer to the pumpkin later.)

Click and Hold at a point where you would like the curve of the stem to end. You will see curved arrows appear at the point where you are holding the mouse. Remember, do not release the mouse button before going on to the next step.

Drag your mouse to the right while not releasing the mouse button and you will see a curve appear. This is known as a "Bezier Curve".

You can move your mouse around to determine the shape of the curve that you wish to have on your stem. Don't release your mouse button until you are happy with the shape of the curve.

Once you are happy with the curve of the stem, release your mouse button and you will see the stem filled in with the pattern or color chosen in the Foreground/Stroke panel.

If you aren't happy with the width of the stem, double click on the sub-layer in your new Vector layer and a panel will open allowing you to change the stroke width without re-creating the curve. In that same panel you can also choose a new color or pattern.

Use the Object Selector Tool    to position the stem at the top of the Pumpkin. The handle with the double curved arrows will allow you to also adjust the "lean" of the stem.

Grab your new Stem Layer and move it down to just above the Transparent Layer. This will position the stem behind the pumpkin.

Your Layer Palette should now look like the example on the right.

  If you haven't saved for a while, now is a good time.