Edit shapes, Shape tool options, Options for each tool. (see – Adobe Photoshop CS4 User Manual
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USING PHOTOSHOP CS4
Drawing
Last updated 1/10/2010
4
Set additional tool-specific options. See “
5
Draw the shape.
Edit shapes
A shape is a fill layer linked to a vector mask. You can easily change the fill to a different color, a gradient, or a pattern
by editing the shape’s fill layer. You can also edit the shape’s vector mask to modify the shape outline, and apply a style
to the layer.
•
To change the color of a shape, double-click the shape layer’s thumbnail in the Layers panel, and choose a different
color using the Color Picker.
•
To fill a shape with a pattern or gradient, select a shape layer in the Layers panel and choose Layer
> Layer Style
>
Gradient Overlay, and set gradient options.
•
To fill a shape with a pattern or gradient, select a shape layer in the Layers panel and choose Layer
>Layer Style
>
Pattern Overlay, and set pattern options.
•
To modify the outline of a shape, click the shape layer’s vector mask thumbnail in the Layers panel or Paths panel.
Then change the shape using the Direct Selection and pen tools.
•
To move a shape without changing its size or proportions, hold down the spacebar while you drag the shape.
More Help topics
About adjustment and fill layers
Shape tool options
Each shape tool provides a unique subset of the options below. To access these options, click the arrow to the right of
the row of shape buttons in the options bar.
Arrowheads Start And End
Adds arrowheads to a line. Select the Line tool and then select Start to add an arrow to the
beginning of the line; select End to add an arrow to the end of the line. Select both options to add arrows to both ends.
The shape options appear in the pop-up dialog box. Enter values for Width and Length to specify the proportions of
the arrowhead as a percentage of the line width (10% to 1000% for Width, and 10% to 5000% for Length). Enter a value
for the concavity of the arrowhead (from –50% to +50%). The concavity value defines the amount of curvature on the
widest part of the arrowhead, where the arrowhead meets the line.
Note: You can also edit an arrowhead directly using the vector selection and drawing tools.
Circle
Constrains an ellipse to a circle.
Defined Proportions
Renders a custom shape based on the proportions with which it was created.
Defined Size
Renders a custom shape based on the size at which it was created.
Fixed Size
Renders a rectangle, rounded rectangle, ellipse, or custom shape as a fixed shape based on the values you
enter in the Width and Height text boxes.
From Center
Renders a rectangle, rounded rectangle, ellipse, or custom shape from the center.
Indent Sides By
Renders a polygon as a star. Enter a percentage in the text box to specify the portion of the star’s radius
taken up by the points. A 50% setting creates points that are half the total radius of the star; a larger value creates
sharper, thinner points; a smaller value creates fuller points.