Chances are that your shape isn’t actually filling in, it’s just that when creating a shape layer, Photoshop "guesses" at what is going to be created by completing the loop visually, even though the path isn’t created yet.
If you keep drawing your shape with the pen tool, that "guess" should continue to change until your shape is completely finished.
Also, I don’t think this is what you are talking about, but I thought I would throw all the options in there… it sounds like you are drawing in the "Shape layers" mode of the pen tool. If you would like to just draw paths, you can go to the options bar across the top of your screen with the pen tool selected, and select the "Paths" option. It’s the second button in the second grouping.
Also, if you are going to be creating a lot of paths or illustrations using paths, you may want to check out Illustrator. It’s vector tools are much more powerful than the ones in Photoshop.
But will the paths be visable when I save?
Sorry, I’ve pretty much just altered things, made simple graphics, and colored my art in Photoshop… So I know absolutely nothing about paths or the like.
But thank you, I’ll try it out. =)
Please excuse the double post, but no, the paths aren’t visible when I save; however, I can convert the path to a selection and stroke it, but there must be an easier way in Photoshop right?
And I have to use Photoshop for now because I can’t afford to buy another program at the moment, unfortunately. =(
If you would like more information on Paths beyond what’s in the help files, do a google search for "Photoshop pen tool tutorial" (without the quotes) and you should come up with some decent results.
And yes, the paths should still be editable when you save. Use the direct selection tool to modify paths.
When you’ve made paths you want to save make sure you go into the Paths Palette and rename the default Work Path to something else (the default rename will be "Path 1.")
This way, when you reopen the document and decide you want to draw more paths you won’t be overwriting the paths you’ve already created.
Kristina,
there must be an easier way in Photoshop right?<<
You can stroke the path straight from the Paths Palette – no need to make it a selection first
Okei. That will make it a little less time consuming. So if I want to use vector lines for my art, I’d have to get Illustrator, right?
But, I think for now, Photoshop will work. Thanks for the help. =)
No, just change the tool to vector mode instead of shape mode or pixel fill mode.
If I knew how to do that, I really wouldn’t have a problem. lol
Could you please explain how? I was fiddling with it for a while, and I couldn’t find the option to. =(
Kristina – look at the icons in the tool options bar. And read up on them in the online help or your manual.
….if you have "Show Tool Tips" turned on in your Photoshop preference panel.
I have PS 7, but I’m guessing CS does not differ much. In 7.0, the pen tool options bar (which shows when you select the tool) has a bunch of small icons on it. In the left corner, next to the big "pen" icon, are two smaller icons, one of which sets the tool into vector-drawing mode (straight-line), the other, into "fill-in" mode (ie, creates shape).
As has already been said, to save a straight-line pen drawing (aka "path"), just go to the Paths palette and give it a name (it will be called "Work Path" until you do). The path + its name will be saved along with everything else in the file when you save it upon finishing.
If you have Illustrator, try that.
It’s really the better program for the type of work you are describing.
No, just change the tool to vector mode instead of shape mode or pixel fill mode.
It’s a mystery to me why the default setting of the pen tool has changed from Photoshop 6 to 7. In Photoshop 6 the default setting is paths but in Photoshop 7 and CS, it’s shape layers.
Who has decided that we prefer shape layers over paths when we’re using the Pen tool? 🙂
(Just kidding. I know that Photoshop remembers the setting if one prefers paths instead of shape layers. I just wonder why the default setting suddenly changed from Photoshop 6 to 7).
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Regards
Madsen
