Using The Pen Tools (Photoshop) - Adobe PHOTOSHOP 6.0 Manual

CHAPTER 6
166
Drawing and Editing
Manipulating a shape while dragging
You can use the following modifier keys to
manipulate a shape while dragging:
Hold down Shift to constrain a rectangle or
•
rounded rectangle to a square, to constrain an
ellipse to a circle, or to constrain the line angle to a
multiple of 45°.
Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS)
•
to draw from the center of the shape.
Hold down the spacebar to move the shape
•
without changing its size or proportions.
Adding shapes to an existing shape layer
(Photoshop)
After you create a shape layer, you can add new
shapes to it at any time. You can also use the path
component selection tool and the direct selection
tool to move, resize, and edit shapes. For complete
information on using the path component
selection tool and the direct selection tool,
see "Editing paths (Photoshop)" on page 172.
To add to an existing shape layer:
Select a layer in the Layers palette.
1
Select a drawing tool, and set its options.
2
(See "Creating shape layers" on page 162.)
Before you draw, specify a shape area option in
3
the options bar. (See "Drawing overlapping shapes
(Photoshop)" on page 171.)
When you have finished adding shapes, click
4
the OK button (
Enter or Return, to dismiss the drawing tools.
) in the options bar, or press
Saving custom shapes
After you create a shape, you can save it as a
custom shape. The saved shape appears in the
Shape pop-up palette. For information about
working with pop-up palettes, see "Using pop-up
palettes" on page 62.
To save a shape or path as a custom shape
(Photoshop):
In the Paths palette, select a path—either a layer
1
clipping path for a shape layer, a work path, or a
saved path.
Choose Edit > Define Custom Shape, and in the
2
Shape Name dialog box, enter a name for the new
custom shape. The new shape appears in the Shape
pop-up palette.
To save the new custom shape as part of the
3
current library, or to save a new library, select Save
Shapes from the pop-up palette menu.
You can also use the Preset Manager to manage
libraries of custom shapes. (See "Managing
libraries with the Preset Manager (Photoshop)" on
page 85.)

Using the pen tools (Photoshop)

You can create or edit straight lines, curves, or
freeform lines and shapes using the pen tools.
The pen tools can be used in conjunction with the
shape tools to create complex shapes.