How To Draw Arrows in Photos?

[KurtM]

There are times when I would like to add text and an arrow-headed leader to point out specific things in photos. I can add text, but have never learned how to draw leaders with arrowheads. In CAD programs it is routine routine, but in photo editing programs I'm finding it mighty elusive. I once asked a pro photog friend, and he gave me a quick lesson in PS that left my head spinning. A Google session produced a plugin for GIMP that looked good, but I never figured out how to install plugins. I was told there's an arrow function in MS Paint, but didn't find it.

So .... is there a quick-n-easy, straightforward way for us "graphic artist challenged" types to add leaders? I use Windows (XP), so far have only Picasa 3 and DPP for photo editing (will get Lightroom soon), plus all the usual freebies such as Paint.NET, etc. Seems like this should be a lot easier than I'm finding it....?

[dlambert]

If you've got Paint.net, it's pretty easy. Choose the line tool, then change one or both of the endpoints in the "style" settings to an arrow.

[wulf]

Using the GIMP, you might find it easier to draw a selection round the point you want to highlight (E for ellipse / circle or R for rectangle / square). Pick a bright colour that contrasts with the background and then pick "Stroke Selection" from the Edit menu. That will trace round the selection you made, with various options if you want to refine the result.

Perhaps even simpler is to create a new transparent layer, paint your highlights and then using a mixture of opacity and layer mode adjustments to draw attention where you want it.

If you really must have a neat arrow, then create a file with various arrows on a transparent background and copy and paste them in as required (or copy and then choose "Paste as > New Brush" from the edit menu to create a readily available brush that you can paint onto your image).

Wulf

[Biomech]

Photoshop:

Paint Brush tool
"Brush" (top left)... size, fuzz, style -> pick an arrow

"click" on a new layer (thus making an arrow) and then you can Control-T to rotate, resize etc.

You can grab custom made brush shapes all over google

..or you can google image search and copy pasta someone elses lol

[KurtM]

Thanks -- but none of those are easy because I do not speak PhotoShop or Paint.NET or GIMP or Etc.Etc.Etc. command language. Arrow pointers are easy in Picnik, you just select "arrow". But I understand Picnik's about to go away, and besides, there's got to be a better way.

So I take it the 'better way' means I am doomed to learn Photoshop or GIMP or whatever? What's a good way to get started? I have a book called "Beginning GIMP", but the m-f's like an inch and half thick! Oh god, it's no wonder AA rooms all across the country are filled to capacity.

[brianxlt]

This might work for you.
How to Draw An Arrow in Photoshop

[dlambert]

Originally Posted by KurtM

Thanks -- but none of those are easy because I do not speak PhotoShop or Paint.NET or GIMP or Etc.Etc.Etc. command language.

I don't know what "command language" you're talking about, but the Paint.net stuff is all toobar buttons...

[Biomech]

The photoshop way is just as easy as piknic, you just select the "brush" tool first. If you're still stuck, I'll take some screenies tomorrow - too tired atm

[vsa]

New layer. Brush tool. Draw an arrow.

[KurtM]

Frustrating -- I can't speak the language at all, can't even talk clearly about it.

Okay, lemme try again. I can follow most of the instructions in the link that brianxlt has supplied ..... but when it comes to actually drawing a thing on the picture I'm stuck. Once you have all the dialog boxes up, how do you actually draw? Does that make any sense at all?

I'm an old AutoCAD pro (believe it or not), and have a feeling it's why I'm having difficulty manipulating this sort of program. The way things are done is just SO different. Whatever, thanks a million, y'all. I'll get it eventually.