Christine,
For your outline issue, you need to change the setting "layer mask hides effect", in the advanced blending options (right-click on the thumbnail of your layer, select "blending options in the contextual menu). You are using layer masks and not erasing destructively, right?
To merge shapes: you did not state if they are in different layers. If not: select both paths with the path selection tool (black arrow), and in the option bar, click on combine, or the intersecting icon, then the commit button.
If they are on separate layers select the vector mask of shape 1 with the path selection tool, copy, target the vector mask of shape layer 2, paste, then follow the same procedure explained in the previous paragraph.
Hope this helps.
Courtejoie, I really appreciate your input, unfortunately, I am very confused, lol. Ok, to begin with, I changed the settings of each of my shape layers to "layer mask hides effect" as you said, no problem. However, I did not see what it did or how it helped. When I erased, it still pushed the line around rather than just getting rid of it. First of, in order to even erase any of the shape I have to rasterize it, which is why I thought it might be convenient to merge the shapes instead.
"You are using layer masks and not erasing destructively, right?" I have no idea. What is a layer mask and what do you mean by erasing destructively? I am sorry, I know how to use the program..sort of..just not good with technical wording.
Each of my shapes are in a different layer, because for each new shape I make, it makes a new layer, however, if I try to copy one of the shapes to another shape’s layer, when I "paste" it puts it in a new layer. Maybe because I am not selecting the "vector mask"? What’s that? Lol. I learned how to mask in Flash and I know you can "mask" in photoshop, but I dont think I am trying to mask anything, or maybe that is what I am supposed to be doing?
I really did try to do everything exactly as you said it, I’m really sorry. = /
Ok, actually, I think I figured out what you mean by selecting the vector mask. I pasted the shapes all in one layer. However, I could not find the combine or intersecting icon in the option bar. However, by putting all my shapes in one layer, because the shapes are white (with a black stroke effect) some of the lines are being covered by another shape. (i.e I have a rectangle inside a rectangle). One problem I’ve had with photoshop is not knowing how to change the color of something to "transparent". Like, I can select the background with the magic wand tool or quick selection tool and use the magic eraser to make it transparent. But if I select the inside of a shape with a stroke effect with the magic wand and use the magic eraser to make it transparent, even though the borders of the magic wand are inside the stroke area, it makes the entire shape disappear. I dont know how to make a transparent shape I guess is all I am saying and would really like to know how. I am not a noob to photoshop, just have a lot yet to learn.
Seriously though, where is the combine or interesecting icon found so I can combine my shapes?
I would also like to know how to select transparent as any other color..
