Create a Complex Custom Shape from a Photo

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Adobe® Photoshop® CS2

December 1, 2007

Suppose you have a spectacular photo of a flower and you want to create a complex custom shape for the flower that shows some of the lines and curves in the bloom.

Because custom shapes can only be created from vector shapes, you must define a vector work path for your shape.

To trace a complex work path, use the Pen tool or the Magnetic Pen tool.

  • Use the Pen tool to manually trace the edges of the object.
  • Use the Magnetic Pen tool to automatically trace the edges of the object.

To use the Pen tool:

  1. Select the Pen tool. (Keyboard shortcut: P or Shift+P.)
  2. Trace around the shape using the Pen tool.
  3. For a complex shape with lots of lines and curves, create multiple paths to show the object's detail.

To use the Magnetic Pen tool:

  1. Select the Freeform Pen tool.
  2. On the option bar, click Magnetic, or click the downarrow next to the Custom Shapes icon to view and set the Freeform Pen tool options.



  3. Click to start tracing around the object, then drag along the edge of the object.
  4. Press Enter to end an open path, or double-click to close the path.

To create a custom shape:

  1. From the Window menu, open the Paths window.
  2. Click to select the path you created.



  3. From the Edit menu, select Define Custom Shape.
  4. Enter a name for your shape and click OK.

Updated on May 24, 2008