Operation Manual

337

USING PHOTOSHOP

Drawing

Last updated 12/5/2011

• Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS), and double-click to close the path with a straight segment.

Managing paths

Paths panel overview

The Paths panel (Window > Paths) lists the name and a thumbnail image of each saved path, the current work path,

and the current vector mask. Turning thumbnails off can improve performance. To view a path, you must first select

it in the Paths panel.

Paths panel

A. Saved path B. Temporary work path C. Vector mask path (appears only when shape layer is selected)

Select a path

❖ Click the path name in the Paths panel. Only one path can be selected at a time.

Deselect a path

❖ Click in a blank area of the Paths panel or press Esc.

Change the size of path thumbnails

Choose Panel Options from the Paths panel menu, and select a size, or select None to turn off the display of

thumbnails.

Change a path’s stacking order

❖ Select the path in the Paths panel, and drag the path up or down. When the heavy black line appears in the desired

location, release the mouse button.

Note: You cannot change the order of vector masks or working paths in the Paths panel.

Create a new path in the Paths panel

• To create a path without naming it, click the Create New Path button at the bottom of the Paths panel.

• To create and name a path, make sure no work path is selected. Choose New Path from the Paths panel menu, or

Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac

OS) the New Path button at the bottom of the panel. Enter a name for

the path in the New Path dialog box, and click

OK.

Create a new work path

1 Select a shape tool or a pen tool, and click the Paths button in the options bar.

2 Set tool-specific options, and draw the path. For more information, see “Shape tool options” on page 330 and

“About the Pen tools” on page 331.