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Photoshop 6's new Custom Shape tool can be a
quick and easy way to perform repetitive tasks and add
consistency from one project to the next. You can create custom
shapes from type, and can also design them in Adobe Illustrator.
In the first part of this series, we looked at
the Custom Shape tool, its options, and how to create sets of
custom shapes. You'll find that column at:
http://www.planetphotoshop.com/PeteBauer35.html
To convert type to a shape, follow these simple
steps:
1. Place the type.
2. Layer> Type> Convert to Shape.
Note that in the Layers palette the type layer
has been converted to a shape layer. Also, in the Paths palette,
the clipping path for the type/shape is visible as a clipping
path. (The type itself appears very rough in the image window
because the clipping path surrounding it is visible. When the
path is deselected in the Paths palette, the shape in the image
window will assume its vector outline.)
To save this particular shape as a custom shape,
use the menu command Edit> Define Custom Shape.
The Shape Options dialog box opens, allowing you
the opportunity to name the new custom shape.
Once named, click OK. The new shape will appear,
ready for use, in the Custom Shapes palette.
To use the new custom shape, select it in the
Custom Shapes palette and drag in the image.
So, of what use is this trick, turning type into
a custom shape? Are there things that you type regularly? What
about type whose shape you want to easily alter without losing
its "vectorness"? How about this:
Because this particular custom shape is best
viewed and reproduced with its original proportions, we can
define its options that way. Click on the arrow next to the
Custom Shape icon toward the left of the word "Shape" in the
Options Bar to open the dialog box. Here are the options
(available for all custom shapes, not just type):
UNCONSTRAINED This option allows the custom
shape to be resized and reshaped as you drag with the Custom
Shape tool. You can make the shape tall and skinny, short and
fat, whatever suits your needs.
DEFINED PROPORTIONS This option is often best
for logos (and text) in particular. It allows the custom shapes
to be resized, but maintains the width-to-height ration, so that
the shape retains its original appearance at any size.
DEFINED SIZE The custom shape will be placed
with a click instead of a drag, and will always be placed at the
size at which it was created.
FIXED SIZE This option allows you to determine
the size at which the shape will be placed, rather than the size
at which it was created.
FROM CENTER When checked, the custom shape will
be placed centered on the point clicked (Defined Size and Fixed
Size), or can be dragged from the center (Unconstrained, Defined
Proportions). No matter which direction you drag, the logo will
retain its original orientation.
Shapes can also be created in Adobe Illustrator
and moved to Photoshop using Copy/Paste. In Illustrator, create
the object(s) to be used as a Photoshop Custom Shape. Only
vector art can be included. Drag with the Selection tool or
otherwise select all of the paths and anchor points of the
object(s). Go to Illustrator's Preferences (Edit> Preferences>
Files & Clipboard). Make sure that the AICB box is checked.
Still in Illustrator, use the menu command Edit> Copy.
Switching to Photoshop, open an image into which
you can paste the Illustrator paths. Use Photoshop's menu
command Edit> Paste. This dialog box will open:
Pasting as pixels rasterizes Illustrator's
objects. Pasting as paths gives you just the paths.
The third option, allows you to paste as a Shape
Layer.
Notice the differences between the two preceding
image in both the Layers palette and the Paths palette. In the
earlier image, when the Illustrator object was pasted as paths,
no layer was created and a simple Work Path was created. When
the Illustrator object was pasted as a shape layer, a new shape
layer was created, and the Paths palette shows the layer's
clipping path.
More information about moving artwork between
Illustrator and Photoshop is available in "Special Edition Using
Adobe Illustrator 9". |