Shift Click Straight Line Problem

[Simenon]

I recently installed on my Windows XP computer a copy of PS Elements 4 that came with a product I purchased a while back. I am unable to use the drawing a straight line via the Shift- click method when using any brush selected from the Basic Brush options. If I select a brush from any of the other brush style types (such as any of the Default Brushes, for example) the Shift-click method to draw a straight line works fine. If I select the Basic Brushes the preview box does not show the usual wavy line that the other brush option types do - just two circles - one at each end of the box. Am I missing something? Is this Basic Brush behavior normal?

The eraser and pencil brushes exhibit the same behavior.

I replaced the Basic Brushes.abr file thinking it might be corrupted, but the results were the same. Perhaps Basic Brushes are exempt from the Shift-click protocol?

~ Simenon

[cats4jan]

First make sure your eraser or brush is large enough. A tiny brush will show as a pinpoint

Click first on your starting point - then shift click on the ending point. To make sure new lines don't connect - you must release the shift key with each new line.

You can also click on the starting point and then hold the shift key and drag the line out - but I see no advantage to dragging to the end point when clicking the end point accomplishes the same thing.

I have PSE4 and it works this way for all my tools that draw or erase.

[Byron Gale]

The problem is that the "Basic Brush" set has the spacing set very high, and it is not adjustable.

I recommend not using the "Basic Brush" set, and instead using "Default".

[TonyW]

Byron: Good tip. I never use the basic brushes but when I did try I see the OP is right. They won't draw straight lines with a Shift-Click. I guess I'll never use them again as I'm a frequent Shift-Clicker :)

And I see that you can't even change the spacing on the basic brushes. I wonder why that would be :confused: - and you can see that they won't draw straight lines from the stroke thumbnail view. Just two dots, not a stroke.

Tony

[Wendy]

What a strange set of brushes ... can anyone see why you would use them ?? or what you could use them for ??

Wendy

[Juergen D]

When experimenting with Basic Brushes yesterday, I noticed that one can draw straight horizontal or vertical lines with them. Hold the Shift key and move right or up or down and you get a not necessarily uninterrupted line, which will fill in if you go back over it in the opposite direction and repeat once or twice (keeping the Shift key pressed).

Juergen

[TonyW]

Wendy: I was as puzzled as you were. Mine all say mechanical :confused:. I guess that is very basic :)

Tony

[Simenon]

Thanx especially to Byron Gale and Juergen D. The mystery of the Shift-click behavior of the Basic Brush set appears to be solved. Not sure what sort of circumstances would call for that kind of brush behavior, but at least I know my installation was AOK and I will not need to reset my Preferences.

It appears that Elements Village will become a great resource for me as I proceed to wend my way through Elements.

~ Simenon

[Juergen D]

You are welcome, Simenon. I produced these lines while changing some of the settings in More Options. Who knows, maybe one day one might have a need for something like this:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1rPTreTYZGlV55b4q00PhfXCbmeJbK_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1rPTreTYZGlV55b4q00PhfXCbmeJbK)

Juergen

[Simenon]

Hmmm - maybe after a third martini?

[Juergen D]

OK, one more :)...
When pulling the cursor real fast, this is produced:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/18MI32OjEGna3RvF8xj83P7m7N11_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=18MI32OjEGna3RvF8xj83P7m7N11)

Juergen

[cats4jan]

I'm guessing creative scrapbookers will find a use for that behavior.
____________

I didn't know certain brushes would act like this - guess I never use those particular brushes to draw or erase lines

[Wendy]

Oh my goodness ...

... after a few drinks playing with these brushes could be a whole lot of fun :)

I have never looked at them before now :D:D

Wendy