Thinking of type in this manner – as shapes instead of letters – can dramatically change the way you work. You now have access to the actual paths used to create the type. With the type layer selected, right-click the layer in the Layers palette and choose ‘Convert Type to Shape’. This technique is most useful when you know the text won’t change as you’ll have to sacrifice the ability to edit it. When using the Shape tool, more advanced settings – involving size, proportion, origin and pixel-snapping – lie hidden inside the drop-down next to the custom shape button in the tool’s property bar.Ĭonverting type to a shape layer allows you to work directly with the anchors and curves of each letter and might even help improve your typesetting. To define your own custom shape, select the shape using the Path Selection Tool ( A), right-click inside the canvas, select ‘Define Custom Shape…’, name it and click OK. The Shape Tool ( U) gives you access to standard geometric shapes as well as more complex presets with the Custom Shape setting.

Pen Tool with the Rubber Band setting Shape Tool This setting will allow you to see the curve connecting the last anchor point with the mouse’s current position. To help set anchor points, you can turn on the ‘Rubber Band’ option – located in the drop-down next to the Custom Shape Tool button in the Pen’s property bar.Mid-curve anchors should be placed to comfortably accommodate curve transitions.Place an anchor at every acute or abrupt angle.

Adobe photoshop 2017 select