Adobe PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS Manual page 166

CHAPTER 7
158
Painting and Drawing
Changing the color of shapes
In the Layers palette, shape layers are distinguished
by two thumbnail icons to the left of the layer
name. The left icon is the color thumbnail and
displays the fill color for all shapes on the layer; the
right icon is the clipping path thumbnail and
displays the outline of all shapes on the layer. You
can change the color of a shape by double-clicking
its color thumbnail in the Layers palette.
To change the color of all shapes on a layer:
In the Layers palette, double-click the color
1
thumbnail for the shape layer.
Use the color picker to select a new color. (See
2
"Using the Adobe Color Picker" on page 77.)
If the color of a shape doesn't change when you
pick a new color for it, check to see if the layer
has a layer style (represented by an "f " icon in the
Layers palette). Some layer styles override the base
color of a shape. For information on clearing layer
styles, see "Editing layer styles" on page 176.
Applying layer styles to shapes
You apply effects—such as drop shadows and
bevels—to shapes quickly and easily using layer
styles. Keep in mind that a layer style applies to
all shapes on a layer. For example, if you apply
a drop shadow style to a layer that contains
multiple shapes, all of the shapes will display a
drop shadow.
To apply a layer style to a shape:
Select the shape using the shape selection tool.
1
(See "Using the shape selection tool" on page 158.)
Click the Layer Styles thumbnail in the
2
options bar.
Scroll through the layer styles in the palette. To
3
view additional layer styles, choose a category
from the drop-down list.
Apply the style to the shape:
4
Drag a style from the pop-up palette onto a
•
shape in the image.
Click a style to apply it to the shape layer.
•
Using the shape selection tool
The shape selection tool allows you to select shapes
with one click. After you select a shape, you can
move, resize, and rotate the shape.
Note: After a shape is converted to a bitmap image
by simplifying the layer, the shape selection tool will
no longer select the shape.
To use the shape selection tool:
Do one of the following:
• Select the shape selection tool ( ) in the toolbox.
The shape selection tool may be hidden beneath
another drawing tool. To select a hidden tool,
position the pointer on the visible tool and hold
down the mouse button until the tools list appears.
Then select the desired tool.
• If another shape tool is active, click the shape
selection tool in the options bar.