Managing paths, Paths palette overview, Create a new path in the paths palette – Adobe Photoshop CS3 User Manual

Page 376: Create a new work path

PHOTOSHOP CS3

User Guide

369

Managing paths

Paths palette overview

The Paths palette (Window > Paths) lists the name and a thumbnail image of each saved path, the current work path,
and the current vector mask. Turning thumbnails off can improve performance. To view a path, you must first select
it in the Paths palette.

Paths palette
A. Saved path B. Temporary work path C. Vector mask path (appears only when shape layer is selected)

Select a path

❖

Click the path name in the Paths palette. Only one path can be selected at a time.

Deselect a path

❖

Click in a blank area of the Paths palette or press Esc.

Change the size of path thumbnails

Choose Palette Options from the Paths palette menu, and select a size, or select None to turn off the display of
thumbnails.

Change a path’s stacking order

❖

Select the path in the Paths palette, and drag the path up or down. When the heavy black line appears in the desired

location, release the mouse button.

Note: You cannot change the order of vector masks or working paths in the Paths palette.

Create a new path in the Paths palette

•

To create a path without naming it, click the Create New Path button

at the bottom of the Paths palette.

•

To create and name a path, make sure no work path is selected. Choose New Path from the Paths palette menu, or
Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) the New Path button at the bottom of the palette. Enter a name for
the path in the New Path dialog box, and click OK.

Create a new work path

Select a shape tool or a pen tool, and click the Paths button

in the options bar.

Set tool-specific options, and draw the path. For more information, see “Shape tool options” on page 362 and

“About the Pen tools” on page 363.

Draw additional path components if desired. You can easily switch between drawing tools by clicking a tool button

in the options bar. Choose a path area option to determine how overlapping path components intersect:

Add To Path Area

Adds the new area to overlapping path areas.