Tapered brushes would be nice.

[jameswhe]

While watching the great tuts I've envied the folks who had access to the tapered look with their brushes.
It would be wonderful to have this feature built into PSE.

[Tina_B]

Can you show us an example of what you mean by tapered brushes?
Tina B

[Byron Gale]

If you have your tablet options set to adjust brush diameter via pen pressure, the brush example in the Options bar appears to taper... I wonder if that's what the OP is observing.

[jameswhe]

I'm a "rookie" so please bear with me.

The tapered look occurs in the tuts when a brush stroke is pointed on both ends rather than rounded as mine are. It gives the stroke a more artistic and streamlined look.

I don't have a tablet which is probably the reason that I don't have access to the tapered look. Also, after taking a detailed look at my PSE7 work area I don't find "tablet options."

It is this tapered look that I would like to have in PSE without the necessity of purchasing a tablet. :)

[Tina_B]

Is this what you are looking for?
These are calligraphy brushes that I downloaded.
I will see if I can find where I found them.
Tina B

[frank abramonte]

I think what jameswhe is looking for is a brush that when twisted gives you a pointed end to the line. This is how a real pointed brush works.

The brush display in PS indicates that the brush ends in a point, where in reality, it doesn't.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1vE2rKmy8PUQ7PQ2W292YJgbFvkf1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1vE2rKmy8PUQ7PQ2W292YJgbFvkf1)

[jameswhe]

Thank you, Tina. Yes, I have the calligraphy brushes which are close in some ways to the tapers that I would like to have.

In Frank's illustration, the brush display is almost exactly what I'm looking for, with all the brushes beginning and ending with the tapers as illustrated.

I very much appreciate the helpfulness from both of you.

[Byron Gale]

I don't have PSE7, but here's how things look in PSE6. The little arrowhead on the Brush tool's Options bar is easy to miss.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1P0P9VtHg8foCZPUPl8UY50bzCKBYU_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1P0P9VtHg8foCZPUPl8UY50bzCKBYU)

[jameswhe]

Thanks, Byron. What I'm wishing for is the control of brush tips, i.e., tapered, pointed, rounded, etc. without the necessity of a tablet. Probably wishful thinking but thought I'd throw it out there anyway.;)

[Byron Gale]

Ahhh... you are talking about the actual brush tip, itself? You can have any shape you want!

Just make a white background, then draw in black the shape you'd like to have for a brush tip. Then click Edit > Define Brush... give it a name, and when you click OK, the new brush is appended to your currently-open brush set.

HTH,

Byron

[jameswhe]

Thanks, Byron. Yes, your method can be used to create pointed ends on a brush and it works ok so long as you draw in the direction of the points. A stroke that is perpendicular to the points, however, produces a very wide brush path.
I'll probably have to bite the bullet and buy a tablet to get what I'm seeking.:(
I do appreciate the offers of assistance from everyone.