Bow Strings and Knot

The bow strings are just as easy as the bow. The only real difference is how you create the first line. Use all of the same settings that you did with the bow.

Step 1.
Create a New Vector Layer at the top of the Layer Palette - name it "String".

1. Activate the Pen Tool with the same settings as in the bow and click once. ("A") We are creating a string at the left side of the bow so you may wish to start on that side. Give yourself space on your image to work down to the bottom of the string.
   
   
2. Click again approximately where you want the string to end and drag to the left and up. ("B") This will give you a curl at the bottom. Judge for yourself how much of a curl that you wish to have. Remember, we are working with Vectors so the curl can always be adjusted by pulling the handles. You will also be able to adjust the size just as we did in the bow.

Step 2.

1. At this point the node at the top of the string has no handles. Right Click on the top node and choose Node Type/Curve After to give it a handle. This handle may position itself over the line and be difficult to see.
   
   
2. Pull the end of the handle toward the left. ("C") This will create the curve at the top of the string.

Step 3.

1. Activate the Object Selector Tool and use the center of the rectangle that appears to move the string near the bow so you can judge how long you want the string to be. Don't place it directly over the bow yet.
   
   
2. Resize and reshape as necessary while the Object Selector Tool is active.

Step 4.

1. Duplicate the bow strings the same way we did for the bow making each one a New Layer. Here are the steps in a nutshell:
   
   
2. Ctrl C (Copy), Ctrl L (Paste as new layer)
3. Reshape and reposition new string
4. Activate first string layer, copy. Click on top layer, Paste copied string to new layer.
5. Image/Mirror, move into position
6. Activate second string layer, copy. Click on top layer, Paste copied string to new layer.
7. Image/Mirror, move into position
8. Rename your Vector New Layers String 1, String 2, String 3 and String 4 starting with the bottom Vector String Layer

When these steps are completed you will have your two loop bow with strings.

Step 5.

To make the knot, activate the Prest Shape Tool.  
Use these settings:

• Ball/Button shape - I am using .036 Button
• Foreground/Stroke: = Null
• Background/Fill: = Gradient used for bow and strings
• Retain Style: = Unchecked
• Create as Vector: = Checked
• Anti-Alias: = Checked
• Line style, Width, Join and Miter limit doesn't apply.

1. Create a New Vector Layer at the top of Layer Palette
   
   
2. Draw the shape the size you wish to make the knot for the bow. Since it is a vector, you can resize and shape it easily once you have placed it on the bow.

Step 6. - Check Layer Arrangement

Now is the best time to check your layer arrangement.

If you have worked with vectors at all you will already know how easy it is to just grab the layer you wish to move and drag it into place. You'll want to drag your string layers down under the bow layers. Just release the mouse when you have them where you want them to be.

The screen shot at the right shows how I have arranged my layers. My bow has the upper bow loops behind the lower bow loops but you can arrange them any way you wish.

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Hint:  At this time I suggest that you do a final save of your .pspimage and then use Shift D to duplicate it before going on to the ways to finish the bow. You will then always have the original to go back to for other ways to finish, color, etc.

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Apply Finishing Touches

With your original Vector Bow image active, convert all Vector Layers to Raster Layers. Right Click on Vector Layer and choose Convert to Raster Layer from the menu.

Tip: You do not need to break the bow apart to select each layer. You can surround the entire bow with the selection tool ("1"), activate the layer that you want to do an effect on and click in the center of the selection and only the part of the bow on that layer will be selected. ("2")

Then you can do a cutout effect, drop shadow, bevel or whatever you want on each layer rather individually. When you are finished, simply merge the layers and save.

Saving the original is really handy. Here are 3 different ways I finished off this same bow from one original. The effects are all applied on individual layers.