Custon Shapes

[Cupcake]

I have been trying to create a custom shape in Photoshop. I have read the help on line and everywhere else and can't seem to find any.
I would like to create a custom shape. I have a pic of a baby buggy in mind. I can bring it up into photoshop but under edit the define custom shape is always grayed out. I can't seem to create a custom shape. Can anybody tell me what I am doing wrong? Is there only a certain size, file type, or what that will allow me to create one?

[dkapp12]

I have never made a shape, but I was wondering if making a brush instead would work for you? I have made several of those - even made one of my GD's artwork - love that one!!! :D

[Natasha]

Custom shapes work with paths, try selecting your image, open you path's palette, add a path from a selection, you will then be able to define custom shape.

hth

[Cupcake]

Thank you for your help so far but I have another question. How do I turn a selection into a parth? I can open an object and get a selection around it. but I don't know how to turn a selection into a parth. Do I click on something??

[dkapp12]

Thank you for your help so far but I have another question. How do I turn a selection into a parth? I can open an object and get a selection around it. but I don't know how to turn a selection into a parth. Do I click on something??

I will try to help - but I am a beginner myself. :eek: After you make your selection, click on the path tab. Then at the bottom of the path palette, you will see a symbol that looks like a circle with a curved line on top, click on that. That should do it. ;)

[Cupcake]

It worked beautifully. Thank you so much. I have been working on that for so long. All the help and tutorials I read didn't explain it as clearly as you did. This place is so awesome. I have learned so many things since I came here.
Again Thank all of you who responded :)

[Emma]

what shape did you make?

I made so many shapes for my PSE class to use (PSE can't make custom shapes, but they can use the ones made in PS), and learned so much about working with Paths, that I've done a ton of logos now for friend's businesses. They have small raster logos that I make into Custom Shape sets, so they can just click and drag their logo anywhere they need it, any size. I tried it before, but it was so hard! No I'm really loving it, if only I had more time...

Have fun, custom shapes are SO AMAZING! I use them all the time!

[Cupcake]

I started to feel like the character from the Mask "Somebody stop me." I am thinking about a Hawaiian LO so I did a fish, then a couple of flowers, I next did a Tiki, then couple of shells and finally I did a palm tree. This is just too much fun. Some things work better as a shape because I want them to be 100% opacity the first time. and I want to size them just the way and just where I need them to go. If there aren't a lot of details I want to make a shape. If there are details than I want to make a brush. Thanks again for all the help :)

[Emma]

I use custom shapes for almost EVERYTHING. I use them as a basis for tons of elements. I can stamp one of those one, reduce opacity, paint on it or add layer styles, grunge, distress the edges, etc. If I like something after altering, I'll define a brush from it too. I use combinations of shapes to make all sorts of compound objects. It's a blast!

Someone stop ME! I spent 3 hours making flower custom shapes the other day. But once I started the layout, it was so fast, and I can use my new shapes on tons of layouts in the future too. Have fun!

[msmac_rn]

Hey Emma,

Do you cover this in your intro ps class.......I hope so. I have signed up to take it in June. I want to learn it all......lol

Becky

[mekstamper]

Emma,
I've heard about your incredible shapes of logos (grin) and I too would love to learn how to do this - when is your custom shapes workshop?

Mary Ellen

[dkapp12]

Wow! - I have made plenty of custom brushes - love them - shells, flowers - even a window shape for a lighting effect; but, I have not done anything with shapes......except use the ones that I have found or that are preloaded in PS.

How about someone posting something that you have made with your own custom shapes - I would love to see it!!! Inquiring minds never rest.

[Emma]

I show how to use a custom shape in my PS class (DSU 110), and Lauren shows how to make one in DSU 211. I provide a big set of commonly used scrap shapes in my 261 and 361 classes for PSE, stuff like eyelets, gears, tags, shamrock, safety pin, bottle cap, balloon, egg, buttons, etc. I should add my flower shapes in there too, those are so useful.

A workshop would be fun :) Maybe at convention with a chat on the site? Very fun!

Right now I'm doing the logos for karate, a yin yang and all sorts of weapons to layer on top of the logo as he likes. He runs a knife and archery range there as well, so he has similar but specialized logos for everything. I did a DSP set recently too.