Custom Shapes

by Andrew Buckle

for Adobe ® Photoshop ® and Photoshop ® Elements

http://www.graphicxtras.com/products/psshapes.htm (c) 2009-2011

Custom shapes manual

Introduction

Thanks for the purchase (or interest in) of the shapes set

(collection or packs) for Photoshop ® and Elements. Hope you find them of interest and use. If you are just consulting this manual because you want to learn more about custom shapes and their use in Photoshop, welcome also.

All the shapes used in this document are from graphicxtras.com. Graphicxtras.com has many shapes sets: a collection of 12,000 custom shapes (which also includes 2000 gradients) and also 150 themed custom shapes packs. Find out more on http://www.graphicxtras.com/products/psshapes.htm

Andrew

fig. A selection of examples of the custom shapes from the 12,000custom shapes collection from graphicxtras.com

Unzipping shapes

The graphicxtras.com custom shapes sets come in a ZIP file. If you have just downloaded / purchased a copy, to unzip the zip file you will need an unzip application. Modern OS applica-tions should be able to unzip the file without any additional application but if not, I would suggest checking the web for various unzip tools. On the PC, something like PKUnzip or winzip might be useful; on the MAC, I would suggest Stuffit Expander but there are others. The shapes file is the CSH file, all the other items are support files such as PNG thumbnail gallery, EPS files (normally the same as the items in the CSH file and perhaps including additional variants)

Install for Photoshop®

Please place the shapes file (CSH) in the pre-sets custom shapes folder of Photoshop. Or you can use the load / replace command on the shapes palette to find the CSH file to load. An easier solution is to use the file > open com-mand to load the shapes into the shapes palette (only works with more recent versions of the application)

Install for Photoshop® Elements

Please place the shapes in the presets folder [custom shapes] and access via the shapes tool (If you have lots of different shapes sets, you might prefer to place the shapes in a separate folder and drag into the presets custom shapes folder as required)

You cannot use the browse to search for a custom shapes file via the custom shapes palette in Photoshop Elements, this option is only available with Photoshop.

Alternatively, use the file > open command as with the Photoshop install.

fig. Use the open command (the easiestway, perhaps, of accessing the shapes)

fig. Presets folder of Photoshop, listing custom shapes, brushes etcPlace the shapes into the customshapes folder (if you wish to access themvia the shapes palette right menu)

Advanced note - Artwork / con-tent

The shapes (for PSE 5 and 6 and 7) can also be placed in the artwork gallery / content palette. However, no details can be given here on that. On XP, the shapes need to be placed in the documents and settings folder but with Vista, it is totally different. I would recom-mend only trying to add the items after con-sulting various web sites (such as Photoshop Elements Users) on how to achieve this. I still personally prefer to install via the presets custom shapes folder or use the open command

�g. Checkerboard designs from thecheckerboard custom shapes pack

Install for Photoshop ®

You may wish to just place the shapes folder in a folder marked custom shapes and then access the shapes as and when required (via the load / replace functionality), or place the shapes in the presets custom shapes folder. If you have too many custom shapes files in the presets custom shapes folder, the custom shapes dropdown might not display all the files.

Please note with the current OS and if you are using a basic user account you might need to enter your admin username and password, this is normal. Instead of using the application folder, you can always just add the item to the user accounts and browse for the file (this is not possible with Photoshop Elements though)

Install folders: C:\program files\Adobe\Photoshop ...\presets\custom shapes (on the PC)

i.e. c:\program files\adobe\adobe photoshop CS4\presets\custom shapes or CS5

HD:Applications:Adobe Photoshop ...:presets:custom shapes (on the mac)

fig. Custom shapes on this page arefrom the festive 3 custom shapes packThe set includes many differentfestive / Xmas designs and snowflakes,holly etc

Access custom shapes within application

To access the custom shapes palette, select the custom shapes tool and this will display the custom shapes palette. The shapes can also be accessed via the shapes blur plug-in and also the cookie cutter tool (in Elements) or via the artworks palette (in Elements 5)

First select the custom shapes tool, this will then display the custom shapes panel / palette.

If you can’t find the custom shapes tool, it is hidden beneath the rectangle tool. Select the rectangle tool and then expand the tool icon to display the rounded, ellipse, polygon, line tool and at the bottom, the custom shapes tool. Select the custom shapes tool.

In Photoshop Elements, the shapes can be accessed via the cookie cutter tool or the custom shapes tool

fig. Access the custom shapes tool also via theshape blur filter. Useful for some really unusualblurring effects and a great place to try out a whole range of different custom shapes designs

fig. The custom shapes tool (can be found under the rectangular shapes tool)

Load / replace shapes in Photo-shop

To load / replace the custom shapes files, use the replace (or load) command to load the CSH files into the custom shapes palette.

The custom shapes can also be loaded via the preset manager (in the edit menu) in Photoshop ®

No load / replace in Elements

In Photoshop elements, there is no load / replace functionality and you can only access the CSH shapes currently in the dropdown list. The items placed in the presets custom shapes folder will appear in the dropdown (within limits as you may have many CSH shapes files)

Open CSH files using file > open command

The shapes can also be loaded via the file > open command in more recent versions of Photoshop ® and Photoshop Elements.

fig. Load shapes / replace shapes viathe side menu on the palette

fig. If the shapes are located in the path of the presets custom shapes thenthey will appear in the side dropdown/ combo of the custom shapes palette(though this list might get very long - orfail - to appear all the items dependingon the version of Photoshop)

fig. You might find it easier just to load the shapes via the file > open command though there are limitsto this. If you try to load too manyshapes, Photoshop will display an errorand say you have reached the maximumThis seems to vary with version to version(with 6 it was only 500 shapes)

Deletion of shapes

To delete the shapes, just remove from the presets shapes folder and then the shapes should not appear in the shapes drop down menu

To delete individual shapes in the current shapes palette, simply right click and select the delete command from the menu OR hold the ALT command (or mac equivalent) and click the shape

Saving your own shapes

You might prefer to only access a certain number of shapes or perhaps set up a set of shapes for a certain project, delete all the shapes in the current shapes palette, leaving the required shapes, and then use the save command (on the right of the palette / drop-down) to save the current set of shapes.

The shapes will be saved in the format of your version of Photoshop, so if you are using 7, the shapes will be saved in 7 format, and the shapes will not be available to 6 (just a word of warning, and perhaps not necessary if you are only using one particular version of PS)

Number of shapes in a palette

The number of shapes allowed in a palette (in 6 anyway) is 500, this might vary from version to version. The more shapes you have in a palette, the more resource used and the slower (perhaps) the startup of PS. With the later versions of Photoshop the number of shapes is in excess of 3000 shapes in the palette (though this may depend on the machine, memory etc)

fig. To delete the shapes, select the shape and then right click or use theALT-click or mac equivalent to delete the shape

fig. Access the save shapes menu commandvia the custom shapes palette menuSaves the shapes file with the currentversion of CSH format (means you mightnot be able to access the shapes with an earlier version of Photoshop)

Version of shapes

All the shapes on the graphicxtras.com were created in version 6 and can be used in all versions upwards (and sideways in terms of elements)

Serial number

If you have purchased the shapes from graphicxtras.com, you will also have received a serial number. This is normally in a folder marked ‘serial number’ or equivalent, please just make a note of the code listed in the text file and use this to access updates or replace-ments of the shapes.

Royalty-free / shapes

The shapes on graphicxtras.com are royalty-free, however, the copyright is owned by Andrew Buckle. The shapes are non-exclusive, so be aware that others might use the same shape and designs. Shapes are (c) 1999-2011 Abneil Software Ltd (Andrew Buckle).

Please check out the license and examples on the graphicxtras site for possible use of the shapes, there are only a few restrictions. You can use the shapes to create many 1000s of different designs and in 1000s of different ways. If you have any concerns, please contact us

fig. Examples of custom shapes from thefaces custom shapes pack. All the designsare from renders using the Poser application.

Thumbnails of the custom shapes

A complete display of all the shapes included with a graphicxtras.com can be seen in the supplied palette file (normally PNG file), you can find this in the folder ‘Thumbnail Gallery’. You might prefer to create additional thumb-nail files and a good way to go about this is to use the ALT-print screen for each shape palette. You might also like to tryout a script to create files for all the shapes (possible??) or just print out the shapes by hand or save them to a format such as AI.

Please contact Adobe if you wish to request a feature to display thumbnails of the shapes. It would be a cool feature to add to the applica-tion (I have added it a few times to their wish list)

Purchase of shapes

If you are using the shapes as part of a sampler or freebie set, then you might like to purchase the collection or some of the smaller sets or perhaps a bundle of the shapes / brushes. Please check out the other custom shapes collection and packs

All purchases on the graphicxtras.com site are via our buy buttons (the actual purchase is on shareit.com / Element 5 - a secure sales site)

Installation issues

If you have problems installing or using the shapes, please e-mail our tech support at support@graphicxtras.com

fig. The custom shapes on this page arefrom the embellishment custom shapespack.

Comments

If you have any suggestions to how we can improve our products or manual, or if there is something that is hard to understand or badly stated, please contact us and we will try to correct any errors or misunderstandings in the next release of the manual. It is always great to hear your feedback.

System requirements

Applications supported

Adobe ® Photoshop ® CS5Adobe ® Photoshop ® CS4Adobe ® Photoshop ® CS3 (10) Adobe ® Photoshop ® CS2 (9) Adobe ® Photoshop ® CS1 (8) Adobe ® Photoshop ® 7Adobe ® Photoshop ® 6

Adobe ® Photoshop ® Elements 1 Adobe ® Photoshop ® Elements 2 Adobe ® Photoshop ® Elements 3 Adobe ® Photoshop ® Elements 4Adobe ® Photoshop ® Elements 5 Adobe ® Photoshop ® Elements 6Adobe ® Photoshop ® Elements 7Adobe ® Photoshop ® Elements 8Adobe ® Photoshop ® Elements 9

Windows ™ 98 XP 2000 NT ME Vista ® Windows 7 + MAC OS X (10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7)

Minimum requirements

At least 128 MB of memory, though some opera-tions might require a lot more.

�g. Spiral shape fromspiral shapes pack

�g. Spiral shape fromspiral shapes pack

Trademarks

The shapes were created by Andrew Buckle, and copyright 1999-2011 Abneil Software Ltd (Andrew Buckle) (depending on the custom shapes pack / collection, varies)

All products mentioned in this manual are trademarked or probably trademarked by their respective owners. Illustrator and Photoshop and Adobe and After Effects are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated. Apple, Mac etc are registered trademarks or trademarks of Apple. Windows ME XP Vista etc are registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft.

We have no connection whatsoever with Adobe or any of the above mentioned

Adobe product screen shot(s) reprinted with permission from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

Company contact details

UK (+44) 1622 688 375http://www.graphicxtras.comsupport@graphicxtras.com

fig. Borders custom shapes displayed on this page arefrom the graphicxtras.com borders custom shapes pack

Use of the custom shapes

For every possible use of custom shapes, please consult your Photoshop ® manual or various articles on the subject of custom shapes. You might also find information about shapes in magazines such as Layers magazine / macDe-sign and Computer Arts magazine (UK) and Digit, or in books such as Photoshop CS5 CS4 CS3 CS2 CS 6 7 Elements Wow! are potential sources of information. As are NAPP or the PhotoshopElementsUsers site or Scott Kelby books or information at Photoshop World

Shapes can be used in a variety of ways throughout Photoshop. The shapes can be used as layers or as paths or as a fill. After that, there are nearly infinite ways of combining the shapes to create unusual and wow designs and more

For a full (sort of) list of things you can do with the shapes, please check out the examples list

Hints and tips for shapes

The shapes from Abneil Software Ltd can be used in many different ways

There are three modes for shapes: as fill designs or paths or layers shapes. You can change the setting via the left section of the custom shapes panel.

Shapes can be applied in multiple ways: either drag onto the document or placement in the center etc

fig. Clicking the shape layer button. There are two additional option, paths and fill pixelsEach have their uses.

fig. Path layers option, great formasks, selections etc

fig. Fill pixels option (personally the oneI use the most)

fig. Clouds custom shapes from the clouds custom shapes pack

Shapes and transformation

Shapes can be transformed either via the edit menu or the transform controls (if show trans-form controls check box is set to on)

Shapes can be used as is but they can also be transformed by edit menu transform command. The transformed shape can then be saved as a new custom shape for future use

If the shape is a shape layer then the edit command becomes transform path and the path can be rotated, scaled, perspective applied, warped using the warping dropdown or custom warped using the warp mesh.

If the shape is a path, the command is trans-form path and the path can be transformed in the same way as the shape layer.

If the shape is turned into a selection then the selection can be transformed via the selection menu transform selection command though it does not offer as many features as the trans-form path etc

If the shape is used as a vector then the shape transformations will have no impact of the quality of the shape. If the shape is a fill pixel then transformations may have an impact on the shape design

The shape can be transformed as a fill pixel design either by creating the shape on a new layer and then using the edit transform com-mand or creating the shape on a background, selecting the shape and then copying and pasting (again a new layer) and modifying the shape design via the transform tools.

With CS5 + CS4 + CS3 + CS2 etc the fill pixel / layer can be converted to a smart layer via layer > smart objects and then you can trans-form repeatedly without any impact on the quality of the shape. You can always convert it back to a layer at any point

fig. Basic star shape

fig. Go to the transformcommand and selectperspective, rotate etcto apply to the shapelayer

fig. Example hereshows the perspectivetransform appliedto star design

Styles and layer effects

For use as a shape layer, you can apply any of the styles available (Abneil software ltd also supply a number of volumes of styles and they work effectively with all shapes).

Styles can be applied to shape layers or you can apply a style to normal layer with a filled shape. Create a new layer, set shape tool to fill pixels and apply a shape design. Apply the styles / layer effects to that. Many different styles can be applied such as drop shadows. A basic drop shadow shape design can be applied simply by adding a darker color version of the shape fill and then applying the shape again slightly offset

1) Select shape tool2) Set to layer mode3) Apply shape4) Go to the styles palette and applyOR4) Go to the layer menu and layer style

fig. The basic spiral shape (filled with stars(

fig. The basic spiral now has had the yellow gel style applied to the shape (it was applied as a shape layer)If you wish to use the styles with the fill pixel you need to first createa new layer and then add the fill pixel

Intersect and combine custom shapes

The shape layers can be added to, intersected and more.

Set the shape as a path or shape layer, apply the shape. Set the shape combination to exclude etc

fig. basic shape (frame design)

fig. The basic shape with an exclude using a square shape layer

fig. The basic shape with subtractions applied using anellipse.

fig. Add to shape area appliedusing a set of squares and circles

Shapes as a tube design / export

A shape can be used quickly to create a tube or nozzle or a layer floater for export to another application. Just remember to save the alpha channel and the best format to use is probably TIFF or PSD

Once exported, the file can be opened by various applications such as Paint Shop Pro, the selection is used to create the picture tube.

fig. Here the shape is exported as a PNGfile via the save web command but you could easily as well use the save commandand save as PSD TIFF etc, especially if you wish to save the alpha channel for additional use in PSP and 3D and otherapplications.

fig. Corner designs from the cornersframes custom shapes pack

Fill pixels

As a web design, you can just use the shape as a fill, just apply the shape to the document. You can also create a new layer and apply the shape fill to that.

Or you can apply the shape fill using different blending modes, such as applying the shapes repeatedly using the difference mode (shrinking the shape on each application).

fig. Change the blending modes and then add the shapes for many different visual effects and uses.

fig. A selection of custom shapes applied in difference / darken / lighten etc modes

fig. A selection of corner custom shapesfrom the corners custom shapes pack

Rasterized shapes Shapes can be rasterized

Create the shape as a shape layer and set a layer effect such as bevel or stroke

Then go to the layer menu and rasterize shape command or others such as rasterize layer.

1) Draw shape layer2) Go to the layer menu3) Rasterize4) Select layer / shape etc as required

fig. A selection of possible raster options are available such as apply to the mask, layer etc

fig. Raster shape command was appliedabove followed by a blur and layer bevelcontour effect applied to the design

fig. The original grid designbefore being rasterized (or rasterised) and effects applied

Point tools

Tweak by the point tools : add anchor point tool; direct selection tool. Move the individual points, remove points, add points. Use to create unique shape designs.

Modify the shape above using the direct selec-tion tool ( A ) and also pen tools ( P ) and sub tools such as add anchor point and delete anchor point.

With the direct selection tool, select a single point or multiple points (or all) and then drag the points to a new location. The direction points can also be modified creating a different curvature. Selecting just the points often results in a chunkier / rough result

Personally, I prefer to modify the path’s points in Illustrator (as you can see from the various modifications in this section !) As mention, I often find it easier to use the pen tools to roughen an existing shape than any real editing of the design.

The pen tools can be used to add additional points to the path or remove existing points

The shape can then be re-defined as a new custom shape and saved for future use.

fig. Original path (contour shapespack) before any points modification

fig. Useful selection tool, once selectedgo to the path and then manipulate theindividual points of the shape layer orpath layer (not any use with the fill pixels layer though!)

fig. Path has been modified, though personally I prefer to use Illustrator to manipulate paths, the paths can still bemodified using Photoshop alone.

Shapes and warps

Many different warp designs can be applied such as arc, arch, bulge and others. You can also create your own custom warp transforma-tion. The transformation commands are acces-sible via the edit menu

1) Select shape tool2) Set to path or shape layer3) Draw shape4) Edit > transform path > warp (options include arc etc or even a custom warp

�g. Warp menu - apply warp to path etc

�g. Original path before warp

�g. Warp transformation warpedMany di�erent designs can be createdThe design can be de�ned as a newcustom shape if required (forfuture use)

�g. Transform applied topath, this time using the wave - there are also additional settings that can further modify thewave (or arc etc warp)

Shapes and text

Shapes can also work in conjunction with text. Create the text and turn into a shape via the layer menu.

1) Type some text (set font etc)2) Go to the layer menu3) Type4) Convert to shape5) Define as custom shape if you wish to save the shape design

Apply a shape via the shapes tool, set the combination option to exclude / subtract etc

The custom shape can be combined with text (converted to a shape) as well as other shapes such as a rounded rectangle and circle. Com-bine the shapes in many 1000s of ways to create unique shape designs. The shapes can then be defined as a new shape and used at a future date.

The text cannot be edited at a later time, the process is destructive

fig. Convert text to a shape and thenyou can always save the text as a customshape for future use, perhaps an entirepage of text etc

fig. The text has been converted into a custom shape(this is purely arial text)

fig. The same text custom shape has been further manipulated using the direct selectiontool in Photoshop

Shapes and channels

Shapes can be applied to individual channels. Select the channels palette. Click the red channel, apply shape. Click green channel, apply shape. Select two channels and apply shape.

Note the channel / shape use is only for the fill pixel and not the shape layer and path option. If you try to modify the shape layer and you are only on the red channel, Photoshop will display a composite channels warning

Use different channels and the same shape (or different shapes) to create in seconds a distressed rough image effect.

As with the fill pixel custom shape on the RGB composite, the shape can be applied to the red channel and an effect such as a blur can be applied, the green and blue channels applied without a blur.

fig. Shape applied across all current channels

fig. Now only one of the channels has been selected (green).

Shapes and LAB CMYK docu-ment modes etc

Opening a document in Photoshop you are offered a number of document modes: if you are working to create things for print then you might set the document to CMYK; if it is for the web then you might set the document to RGB (you actually might not even notice that there are other color modes and always use a default such as RGB). Custom shapes work well in RGB Grayscale etc

fig. Examples of imagedocument modes such as RGBCMYK Grayscale etc

Frame and custom shapes

You can use shapes as a frame in a number of ways. Some work better as frames than others.

You can use the shape as a selection, invert the area and replace the area with black or white etc

1) Select the shape tool2) Draw shape in path mode3) Go to the paths palette4) Use the make as selection command5) Select > inverse6) Fill as black or white etc or perhaps use the layer > fill as layer and fill with pattern or gradient, rescale as required.

Another approach is to draw the shape in layer mode and then select the rectangular shape tool (or ellipse) and then set the mode to exclude (at the top of the screen - you will see options to add, subtract, intersect, exclude etc to the shape layer) and apply

1) Draw shape as a shape layer2) Select the rectangular tool3) Set to exclude4) Apply across the original shape5) You should then have a frame design that can be saved as a new custom shape via the edit menu

fig. Basicradial shape

fig. The radial shape is applied as a pathover an original image. The path is converted into a selection via the path palette and then the selection is invertedA fill layer of triangle patterns is applied

fig. In this case, the radial designis applied as a layer, a rectangleshape layer is applied in excludemode to create a ‘framing’ shapeThis can be added at any time above an existing image. It can also be saved as a new custom shape

Selection / paths and shapes

If used as a path, the shape can be converted to a feathered selection. You can then fill and apply various 3rd party effects.

1) Select the shape tool2) Set the shape option to path3) Apply shape4) Go to the paths palette5) Make selection command6) Edit > fill selection etc

Or as a path, the path can be stroked with any of the brushes (even more creative effects can be achieved with the latest version, which includes an expanded range of brush options)

1) Select shape tool2) Set to path option3) Apply shape4) Go to the path palette5) Stroke path 6) Select tool such as pencil etcThe current brush is applied to the path

Use the path palette and make a selection. Once you have a selection, you can then fill / invert etc the selection to create a frame, or apply a stroke to the selection.

fig. The B shape (it is a path via the path mode)and the stroke path option is applied via the path palette. The current brush size / settingsare applied

fig. End result being a stroked Bdesign. The path is still there so you can also re-apply the path with a different stroke or perhaps move the stroke or apply a fill etc instead

Brushes and shapes

Shapes can be converted into a brush (or vica versa). Shapes can be very useful as brush designs. Start with any shape, simply draw as a fill design or draw as a shape layer and flatten

You can use the single shape, or perhaps over-lap with other shapes, perhaps blur, smudge, etc the shape design.

Go to the edit window and define brush

1) Select shape tool2) Set fill option3) Set color4) Apply shape to document5) Repeat or change shape and repeat6) Apply effects if required etc7) Edit > define brush

The custom shape will now appear in the brushes palette. You can then select the brush while using various tools such as the paint tool and the impressionist and clone tool.

Apply as required

fig. Original arrow custom shape

fig. Repeat applies of thearrow custom shape is made to the document, in this case a 300 x 300 document. The documentis then used as a source fora brush via the edit > definebrush command

fig. The arrow generated brushis now applied as a paint brushusing different colors.

Overlays and shapes

Use the shapes as an overlay or watermark or color effect. Set the shape options to fill pixels and set the opacity to about half and then draw over the current image.

1) Open image2) Select shape tool3) Select shape4) Select fill option5) Set opacity

You can also apply the overlay but apply to a newly created blank layer, apply a blur etc or stained glass effect and then modify the opac-ity of the layer or the original application of the shape.

fig. The basic arrowcustom shape before being applied

fig. The shape is now applied as a fill usingan opacity setting of 50%

Shapes and patterns

The shapes are useful as a source for patterns and displacement maps. Open a document. Select a shape and apply. As long as you apply the shape within the document and don't pass over the edge of the document, the design can be saved as a seamless pattern. Use the define pattern command (found on the edit menu).

You can also make more complex design by using the offset filter. If you have created a document of 300 x 300 then set the offset filter to -150 150 and set to wrap around

�g. Originalpath appliedas a �ll pixel(more complexdesigns canbe created but this is anexample of a pattern design only)

�g. De�ne pattern command appliedto the above right design

�g. The above pattern after the de�nepattern and applied as a �ll layer with layer scaling to set to 10% of the original‘size’ of the design (the shape is a vectorso the pattern source can be small or huge)

�g. Use the o�set �lter (half setting to the size of the pattern tile) to createmore complex (but still basic) patterns

�g. Using the shape but now with o�set appliedrepeatedly and using di�erent colors of applyof the shape, followed by de�ne pattern

Shapes and path export to Illus-trator ®

Shapes can saved to Illustrator AI format in a number of ways

1) Apply a shape layer and then save the vector mask via the file > export > paths to Illustrator command

2) Apply the shape as a path and then fill > export > paths to Illustrator

3) With the fill pixel option, there is no vector shape but you can always create the shape on a new layer and use the layer transparency and then convert to a work path via the path palette and then use the file > export > paths to Illustrator command. Another alternative with the fill pixel option is to create the shape on a background layer and then use the magic wand tool or the selection tools to select the shape region and then export the work path to Illustrator

The AI file is saved in Illustrator 3 format and is editable in Illustrator as well as usable in Painter and Fontographer and many other applications (definitely useful in Fontographer as it cannot use Illustrator 5 etc and above format)

Once saved to Illustrator, the shape can be further manipulated and then copied and pasted back into Photoshop.

�g. Set to path or shape and then create path layer

�g. Go to the �le > export > paths to Illustrator command (if you haven’t got this�lter then please check your installation or online notes on how to install it)

�g. Anotheroption if you areusing Photoshop andIllustratorcombinationUse the copy command

Shapes and applying to docu-ment / custom shape options

Shapes can be applied simply by selecting the shape from the palette and clicking the docu-ment and dragging the custom shape tool from one position to another and releasing the mouse click to release the shape

There are a number of settings available via the shapes bar / palette in the custom shape options palette

If you use unconstrained then the shape can be sized as required during initial application; the shape can be distorted, squeezed, stretched etc

If the defined proportions is set then the shape will be applied proportional to the original defined size such as 50% of the original or 75% but it will not be distorted (based against the original design)

If the defined size is set then shape will be the size of the original created shape, which might be small or huge.

If fixed size is set then you can define the shape to be 5 cm 5 cm etc and then just click the document to generate the shape. This is useful if you wish to fill the design quickly with 100s and 100s of the shape design. You can always change the foreground color etc between clicks to change the color of the designs. You can always just move the position of the click and release the mouse to place the shape. This works for shape layers, fill pixels etc and can be quite effective in creating a nozzle / hose / spray effect in Photoshop. Useful combined with a new layer and fill pixels so you can simply click adding shadow or bevelled layer fill pixel shapes.

The fixed size can be in centimeters, pixels etc (sadly not % of the document size, which per-haps would be a useful setting combined with scripts or actions

The placement can also be defined from the center instead of the top left of the shape via the checkbox from center. This is probably a helpful setting to set when using the fixed size as it is easy to click off screen using the top left shape application.

�g. shapesapplied usingde�ned sizeoption (greatfor a ‘spray’e�ect)

�g. Applyshapes using di�erentoptions - each have their uses

�g. Access the shapes via the shapes palette. Select and apply

EPS / AI files

Some of the sets (created 2009 onwards) con-tains EPS (as well as AI files). Not all the sets (as well as the collection) contain the EPS files or AI files. The EPS files are variants of the CSH custom shapes pack or in some cases, exact copies. To use the EPS or AI files, start Photo-shop and use the file > open command or the place command. Use the EPS file as a layer.

Using the open command, on selecting the EPS file, Photoshop will display a dialog to rasterize the EPS import. Set the size etc as required.

You may wish to use the file > open as a smart object to avoid any issues with reduction in quality of the design. Using the design as a smart object also means you can edit the EPS file in another application such as EPS and resume editing in Photoshop.

Select and copy the design and paste as a layer into an existing document

You may also wish to just use the design (EPS or AI file) as a layer, in that case just use the file > place command. The place command leaves the EPS design as a smart object and can be transformed etc with any loss of quality. How-ever, with smart objects, you have to convert to a normal layer before you can apply filters etc. (though you can use the smart filters and smart objects to avoid this issue)

The placed design is displayed by cross hairs. You can re-size it at this point (as it is displayed as a smart layer, it can be re-sized and rotated later also) so it doesn’t have to fill the existing image, it can extend beyond the current document or be reduced to a very small size.

You cannot edit the EPS or AI files in Photoshop but if you have a copy of Illustrator, you can modify the designs there.

Another advantage of the EPS / AI files (over the CSH format file) is that the EPS files etc can be used in many other applications such as Corel ® Paint Shop Pro ®

�g. Open the AI (if included) or EPS�les via the �le > open command or the place command

�g. If opened via the place command, thedesign appear appears as a layer (smart layer)The signi�cance of that is the smart layercan be re-sized etc with any issues, also smart �lters can be applied as well.

Shapes and text path

You can use the shape as a path for text.

1) Select shape tool2) Select path option3) Draw shape path4) Select type / text tool5) Click path at entry point for the text and type

fig. The original design beforetype was added

fig. The type was added to the frame pathjust by clicking the path at an insertionpoint and then typing (the type itself wasthen turned into a custom shape via the layer > type > convert to shape

3D Tool (Photoshop Extended)

1) Create shape layer2) Go to the 3D menu3) New 3D postcard from layer command4) 3D Rotate tool or one of the other 3D tools to manipulate the layer 5) Rotate etc as required

fig. Original shape layerbefore conversion

�g. Convert via the 3D menu to a 3Dpostcard

fig. Go to the 3D tools such as3D rotate

fig. Layer has been rotated in 3D

3D Layer (continued)

1) Create shape, apply style etc2) Go to the 3D menu3) New shape from layer4) Select cylinder etc 5) Use 3D rotate tools to manipulate

The shape is now changed into a texture / surface for a cylinder, sphere, pyramid etc

fig. The original shape beforebeing turned into a 3D object

fig. Style applied to the path

fig. 3D menu and new shape fromlayer command - in this casecylinder was used but it couldequally be sphere etc. Use the 3D tools to rotate etc and render

Creating new custom shapes

Personally the best tool is Illustrator but if you haven’t got Illustrator then there are the pen tools etc in Photoshop.

fig. path created using the freeform pen tool in Photoshop. Can be usedto create many interestingdesigns (also comes with some options such as magnetic etc) Useful fortracing an image etc

fig. Using the freeform pen tool with the magnetic setting to follow the line of the image - the above example is a copy of a silhouette of a face

fig. Using the pen tool to create a frame design by adding points and manipulating the curve of the design, also apply an inner path using the exclude option (button) to create aframe design

fig. Pen tool etc also other toolssuch as freeform and convert point tool

Elements

The design of the screen for Photoshop Elements is slightly different than Photoshop, most of the functionality is the same but there are definitely differences and some of the more useful editing features etc are not avail-able in Elements.

Access the shapes palette by clicking the shapes tool or the cookie cutter tool (the shape blur is not part of the Elements application)

1) Click custom shapes tool found beneath the rectangular tool

OR

1) Click the cookie cutter tool

Go to the custom shapes palette (the shapes can be found in the right side menu or you will have to use the file > open command to load the CSH shapes

fig. Custom shapes appear in the shapespalette. Go to the right side menu to selectthe shapes files (if located in the presetscustom shapes folder) - otherwise usefile > open command to load CSHfiles

fig. Select custom shape tool from thetoolbox

fig. Or use the shapes viathe cookie cutter tool

Cookie Cutter

The cookie cutter is a useful tool, the shape can quickly cut an image into an interesting framed design.

fig. Using the cookie cuttertool using the current selectedshape

fig. X designs pack

Shapes and effects

Shapes can be modified by effects and filters. The effects can be applied to a rasterized layer or fill pixel design.

fig. Lighting effects plugin applied to the shape design (on the background layer)

fig. The shape layer has been flattened, thelayer blurred and a stained glass filterapplied.

fig. Original X shape

Further examples of custom shapes

The following pages show examples of the custom shapes included in the shapes packs and custom shapes collection from graphicxtras.com. The designs can be used in millions of ways in Photoshop as well as Elements. The designs are all vectors so can be used to any size. The sets all contain many different shapes, the examples only show a select few designs (not the best nor the worst, just a selection)

The shapes can be colored in many ways, the shapes can have layer effects applied, plugins effects applied and more - the shapes on the following pages only show the basic design, none of the embellishments possible with Photoshop

fig. people shapeset

fig. Edges shapes pack

fig. Letters shape pack

fig. Arrows shapes pack

fig. Radial shapes pack

fig. Goth shapes pack

fig. Goth shapes pack

fig. Goth shapes pack - cat

fig. Borders shape pack

fig. Faces shapes pack

fig. Space shapes pack

fig. Mottled shapespack

fig. Polygonshapes pack

fig.Rosettes shapes pack

fig. Overlays shapes pack

fig. Starry shapes pack

fig. Sketch shapes pack

fig. Drops shapes pack

fig. Embellish shapespack

fig. Embellishshapes pack

fig. Embellish shapes pack

fig. Christmas baubles - custom shapes pack 105

fig. Christmas bauble - now re-colored in Photoshop.

fig. Lens flare applied to a Christmasbauble shape from the custom shapespack 105.

fig. Shear / transformation applied to shape.

fig. Ring shapes from pack 109. Many differentring shapes are included in the set. The shapecan be re-colored, modified etc

Repousse - found in 3D menu in Photoshop Extended. Use the layer mask option or selected path option to create an instant3D effect with any selected shape(in CS5 Extended)

fig. Wavy line from pack 112

fig. Dot pattern applied to thewavy line figure from pack 112Any pattern can be applied to the shape - apply the shape as a path and then go to the path paletteand turn the path into a selection.Go to the layer > new fill layer > pattern command to fill with anypatterns currently in the patternspalette.

fig. The pattern fill can also be re-colored

fig. The wavy line pattern can becombined, re-colored etc in countlessways to create any kind of designs

fig. Use the wavy line from pack 112 (and there aremany included in the set) to create a quick framedesign

fig. Wavy line has been combinedto create a single shape. The shapehas been duplicated and filled with two different colors (blue and black)

fig. Pack 115 abstractionsshape

fig. shape re-colored

fig. Individual parts re-coloredfig. Individual parts filled and broken apart and scaled

fig. Multiplecopies of object

fig. Polka dot shapes

fig. Turtle shape (pack 123) - animal shape sketch render

fig. People shapes - pack 128

fig. Multiple faces - Pack 128

Pack 142 Dinosaur shape

fig. Optical illusion - or just very extreme contour / circles shapes

fig. Optical illusions and parts of the shapecut or clipped

fig. The shapes can be distorted and thencut. The same shape can be used to create1000s of new unique shapes - they can thenbe defined as a new custom shape

fig. The shapes can be combined to create a line or divider

fig. Parts of the shapecan be re-colored - not allhas to be red or green

fig. Easter egg shapes pack 149

fig. The shapes canbe exported to other applicationssuch as Xara Photoand Graphic Designerto create a 3D extrudeeffect