Photoshop® CS4 Bible

12.4. Using Vector Shape Presets

Using the Custom Shape tool, Photoshop users can quickly create a large array of pre-built vector-based shapes and symbols (called shape presets). These custom shapes and symbols are grouped by theme in the Custom Shape Picker dialog box, shown in Figure 12.10.

The Custom Shape tool and the preset shape you choose work the same as the other vector shape tools, creating a new vector shape layer as they are drawn onto the canvas (preset shapes are just vector masks combined with a fill layer, like those described earlier in the chapter).

The steps for producing custom shape layers are identical to those used for the other vector shape tools, except that extra steps are added so you can choose the appropriate shape:

1. Select the Custom Shape tool from the Toolbar, making sure the Shape Layer mode is active, as shown in Figure 12.10.

2. Click the Custom Shape Picker button to reveal its dialog box.

   Figure 12.10. To access the Custom Shape tool's preset options, click the Custom Shape Picker popup menu on the Options Bar to view the different shape and symbol options available. The current or active preset and its collection of shapes are displayed as a list or group of thumbnails.

   

3. If the shapes or symbols currently shown do not suit your purposes, click the Custom Shape Picker's fly-out menu (shown in Figure 12.11), and at the bottom of the menu choose All ...