INFO: Software Cheat Sheets

Photoshop CS6: Drawing Custom Shapes

Cheat Sheet 20130316

Go to Menu

Choose the Custom Shape Tool – which is in the same fly-out menu as the rounded rectangle tool (see below):

1_Custom_Shape_Tool

Go up to the Options Bar at the top and beside Shape click on the down pointing triangle to open up your Shape options (see below):

2_Shape_options

Then click on the little gear icon in the pop-up window, scroll down and select All (see below):

3_gear_icon

4_All_shapes

Click OK in the pop-up dialog box. You don't need to click Append because the shapes that are already in the pop-up window will remain anyway (see below):

5_click_OK

All your Shapes (see below):

6_All_Shapes

Hold the Shift key while dragging out the Shape you have chosen to keep it proportional. Otherwise, just drag and play with the Shape to get what you want. Using Option on the Mac will let you draw your Shape proportionally from the center out.

While still holding down the Mouse, you can hold down the spacebar and reposition your image.

Use Fill and Stroke to get the color and outline you want (see below):

7_Fill_and_Stroke

If you want to change the size numerically, make sure the chain icon is clicked if you also want your shape to change proportionally (see below):

8_chain_icon

To make a duplicate, use the Path Selection Tool (A) and click on the Shape to highlight the path outline. Then hold Option and drag a copy to somewhere else on the same layer (see below):

9_path_selected

10_Option_dragged_copy

Or, if you want each copy to be on a separate layer, just use Command-J and make as many layer copies as you want and then reposition them.

If you do leave them on the same layer and want to align them, marquee them with the Path Selection Tool (A). Then go to the Options Bar at the top and click the Path alignment icon. In the pop-up menu, you can select, for example, Align To Selection (see below):

11_marquee_the_shapes

12_Path_alignment

13_Align_To_Selection

Then click the Path alignment icon again and select, for example, Horizontal Centers (see below):

14_Horizontal_Centers

15_horizontal_centers_aligned

Then, click the Path alignment icon again and select, or example, Distribute Heights (see below):

16_Distribute_Heights

17_heights_distributed

While they're still selected you can use the arrow keys to nudge them (as a group) to where you want them to be. Then use Command-H to hide their path outlines.

Any questions?

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