2 simple drawing questions....

I've just been figuring out how to use the shape & pen tools to draw simple vector illustrations that can be scaled up and down with no resolution problems. Some stuff I've figured out, some I haven't. I'm doing some stuff that is similar to the things in this image:

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/3131784/2/istockphoto_3131784_weather_icons.jpg

For example, I know how I could quickly make a moon like the one near the top left (use something like the pen or ellipse tool to create a white-filled shape, then put a black stroke around it, then adjust the shape's curves and points with the pen. It's easy because it's a completely closed shape.

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Question 1:

But what about the cloud next to it? If I followed the same steps as above, I'd create a shape with the basic outline, apply the black stroke, and be left with a completely white middle (instead of the desired curves that extend into the shape itself). How do I easily include that little detail?

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Question 2:

In the example image, there's a cloud with a lighting bolt. How would I make a vector version of a super-simple lighting bolt like that? It seems to me that I should be able to draw a line (with the line tool), add a couple of extra points on that line (with the pen tool) and then shift those points around until the line makes a zigzag. But it seems that when I draw with the line tool, it's actually making a very long rectangle (defined by four points, not two). That means that when I add points and begin dragging them around, I end up with a filled shape like a bow tie or something. But I just want a simple line that I can bend and add points to if necessary, not a full shape.

I read a tutorial online about adding a layer, drawing a path, then stroking the path, but that seems to make a rasterized line only. I want this thing to scale! Please help -- thanks!

Hello,

shulme said:

But what about the cloud next to it? If I followed the same steps as above, I'd create a shape with the basic outline, apply the black stroke, and be left with a completely white middle (instead of the desired curves that extend into the shape itself). How do I easily include that little detail?

See flash tutorial on the Covert Point Tool:
http://simplephotoshop.com/photoshop_tools/convert_pointf.htm

shulme said:

How would I make a vector version of a super-simple lighting bolt like that?

Draw standard "lighting" available in "Shape Presets" and edit it with tools of the "Pen" group