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Custom shapes for Adobe ® Photoshop ®, install, how to use, tutorials and more
If you are interested in purchasing some custom shapes, there are many sets available on graphicxtras.com
Custom shapes
Custom shapes are vector designs that can be used to any size of document (resolution-free). All stored in native Photoshop format CSH. Easy to use and load. A superb toolkit for million designs
Installation of CSH shapes
The easiest way is to use the file > open command in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. Another way to load them is via the custom shapes palette and the right menu and load via the dropdown load / replace commands. The custom shapes (CSH files) can be placed in the 'presets' folder of Photoshop or Elements, 'Custom shapes') - makes it easier to find the files and access in the same way as the native custom shapes.
Custom shapes tool
The custom shapes tool can be found in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements via the main toolbox. Go to the rectangle tool and expand out the toolset and select the custom shapes tool (it is the last shape tool in the list). Once selected, you will see the shapes palette and additional settings for the tool
Elements Artworks
For Photoshop ® Elements: If you wish the item to appear in the Artworks and Effects palette (of Photoshop Elements 5) then goto to the 'Documents and settings' folder and 'all users' 'application data' 'adobe' 'photoshop elements' 5.0 'Photo Creations' 'Artwork' 'shapes' and create a sub folder marked 'graphicxtras' (say) and then add the CSH shapes files to that, the shapes will then appear in the 'graphicxtras' category Decorate with frames.. shapes section. You can add different categories as required. Note, on re-starting Photoshop Elements, the artwork cache will be re-built. The location for the shapes folder may vary, as I have yet to check out the equivalent on windows Vista.
Combine custom shapes
Combine custom shapes to create new shapes using the 'add to shape area' option for the custom shape layer. A single shape can be combined or multiple different shapes can be combined. Areas can also be subtracted / excluded etc to create a new shape. A single pack of shapes can be used to create millions of different and exciting designs.
Custom shapes and channels
Apply a custom shape as a 'fill pixels' option to one channel, apply a shape to another color channel, combining shapes across channels creating stunning RGB images.
1) Select the custom shape tool
2) Select channel palette
3) Select fill pixels (for shape) - top bar of Photoshop
4) Select one of the channels only (say RED)
5) Apply shape to RED channel
6) Select green channel
7) Apply shape, perhaps offset from red design (or smaller or apply effect as well)
8) Click RGB on channel palette to return to standard RGB view
Custom shapes and Photoshop ® color modes
Custom shapes can also be used in different color modes so instead of using the shape in RGB, use the shape in LAB, apply perhaps to the L (Lightness channel) etc. The custom shapes can also be used in duotone and tritone color modes and more
Export shapes to other applications
Custom shapes can be applied as a path (via the shapes options), use the 'export paths to illustrator' to save the path as AI native Illustrator format file. Use this file in multiple applications. The custom shapes can also be copied to some applications via the pasteboard / clipboard
1) Select the custom shape tool
2) Click the path option (top bar of Photoshop)
3) File > Export > Paths to Illustrator
4) OK
Use as a shape layer
The custom shape can be used as a shape layer, shape layers can have a style applied such as metallic or blue gel creating stunning metal / gel designs and more. Shape layers can also be transformed, distorted, slanted, scaled, rotated and much more. The transform path > warp can be used to warp a custom shape into an arc shape / twirled shape and more. Modify the applied style via the layer effects menu
Shapes as paths
Custom shapes can be created as path. The path can be converted into a selection via the paths palette. The selection can then be transformed, filled, used as a selection for effects etc
Fills
The shapes can be used simply to fill a region with a design. The fill region can be applied to a layer and then layer effects such as drop shadows can be applied to the fill shape. The fill shape can have effects applied and much
Use shapes with CS4 / CS5
The shapes work fine in Photoshop CS4 and with the new filter features / layer effects combinations, even more amazing designs can be created with the shapes
Overlays
Shapes can be applied to an image with 100% opacity, you can use the shape as an overlay with say 50% opacity. This also means the shapes can be used as a watermark over an image
1) Select custom shape tool
2) Select fill pixel option (top bar of Photoshop)
3) Set opacity setting to 50%
4) Apply current selected custom shape
5) Re-apply etc (great for creating a blurry custom shape design or smudged look)
Custom shapes and Photoshop ® Blending modes
Shapes can be applied with a different blending mode from normal. Apply the shape in difference blending mode or darken. The shapes can be applied repeatedly. The shape can also be faded after applying via the edit > fade command, changing the apply opacity and blending mode.
1) Select custom shape tool
2) Select fill option (top bar of Photoshop)
3) Set color
4) Set mode from normal to 'darken' or 'difference' etc
5) Re-apply as required
Convert shape into a Photoshop® brushes preset
Create a new document, select the shape tool and set to fill or shape layer and then apply the shape with the layer scaling / size / color. Re-apply to build up an interesting brush design. Use the edit menu define brush to create a new brush from the shapes. Paint.
1) Select custom shape tool
2) Set to shape layer or fill pixel option (top bar)
3) Apply shape (or re-apply shape etc)
4) Apply effects etc or change blending mode etc or change shape and re-apply as required
5) edit > define brush preset
6) Saved to brushes palette
7) Select a brush tool as required and paint
Stroke shape
The shape can have a stroke (such as black or green stroke) via the shapes layer / layer effects menu 'stroke'. The stroke can be a single color or a gradient or pattern. Different shapes can have different strokes.
Use part of the shape
You can use the full shape or you can remove the rest of the shape and use only a fragment. This can be done via the direct selection tool or using the pathfinder exclude / subtract tools.
1) Select custom shape tool
2) Set to shape layer or path (top bar of Photoshop)
3) Go to the middle of the top bar (custom shapes options)
4) Select either 'add to shape area' or subtract from shape area etc option (depending on the design)
5) Select the subtract option to remove existing area from the shape (either use the same shape or perhaps circle or square)
Modify the shape of the shape
The shape can be used as is but the shape can also be modified as mentioned by the warp and slant and perspective but individual points of the path can be modified and pulled in or out and angled to totally change a shape by using the direct selection tool as well as the add point and convert tools.
Text
Shapes can be combined with text. The text needs to be converted to a shape layer and then additional shapes can be added to the text via the pathfinder options to add to the shape layer or exclude or subtract.
Apply effects to shapes
Shapes can be blurred, stain glass filter applied, distorted, lens flare plug-in, all can be applied to a shape, either a shape layer, selection or fill. The shape layer needs to be rasterized before it can be blurred (sharpened isn't perhaps as useful for a vector)
Blur - shape blur command
The shape blur filter can use the shapes as source for a blur effect using different radii. The result can be more or less successful depending on the shape selected. The shapes appear in the standard shapes palette. Lower settings seem to be best but depends on the file.
Shapes palette and custom shapes options
The shapes are displayed via the shapes palette. The shapes palette can hold a large range (though not every shape created on graphicxtras) as shape thumbnails. To use a shape, simply select. The shapes palette can also be added to via the standard file-> open command as well in later versions of Photoshop and Elements
1) Select the custom shape tool
2) Go to the top bar of Photoshop (custom shapes options)
3) Select the shape dropdown
4) Select shape
5) Apply shape as required
There are additional items associated with the custom shape tool such as apply the shape as constrained or unconstrained or a defined size etc or apply from the center etc
1) Select custom shape tool
2) Select defined size (set size as required)
3) Go to the document
4) Click and re-peat click to apply the fill design over the entire document (great for a nozzle like effect for shapes)
Pattern and custom shapes
Open a new document, apply a shape as a fill or shape layer, flatten, and then use the define pattern to save the shape as a pattern. The pattern shape then can be used in fills / paint bucket / layer effects / textures for brushes and more
Displacements / glass distortion
Open a new document, apply a shape as a fill or shape layer, flatten, save the document as a PSD file and then use the PSD file in displace filter / glass filter etc
Quick mask mode
Apply the shape in quick mask mode to create a quick selection
Frames and custom shapes
Use the shapes to create a frame / masks. Use the design combined with pathfinder and subtract or add to the shape to create a frame (subtract a circular or square frame design from the shape)
Animations
Use the shapes in animations. Add shapes, the same or different shapes, transform the shapes, perhaps shrinking or rotating the shapes and apply them across new layers. Go to the animation palette and use the 'create frames from layers' command to create a basic animated film from a set of custom shapes. Export to GIF or even SWF
Cookie cutter tool / scrapbooking
The custom shapes can be used with the cookie cutter tool in Photoshop Elements. Use to create stunning scrapbook designs. The shapes for the shapes tool and the cookie cutter tool are the same. The cookie cutter tool offers a number of features such as feather, skew, scale, rotate etc the custom shape as well as crop the document to the current shape.
Packaging
The shapes can be used to create packaging, used to create fashions, use on t-shirts, use on cards, rubber stamps and much more. Examples of the shapes use on t-shirts etc can be seen on zazzle.com
Actions and shapes
Save the custom shape drawing as an action to re-apply the design at a later time. Apply multiple custom shapes designs and save as an action
Scripting and shapes
Use the custom shapes in scripts (via listener plugin) to create scripts that can use any shape or design to create backgrounds/borders etc
Use
Shapes can be used in 1000s of ways. Use in leaflets, books, illustrations, designs, as layers, as fills, use in web designs, in scrap booking, use in rubber stamps, use in fashion designs, use in tattoos, use on t-shirts, use on surf boards, use as frames, use as overlays and much more.
Custom shapes recommendations
1) from Iryne Cummins (of Pixlwrks Studio): "I LOVE YOUR STUFF!!! I have the craziest uses for all of this -- I'm a jewelry Designer, and using the shapes, layers and brushes to design jewelry has been phenomenal! I going to write to Photoshop User and tell everyone to buy your stuff" 2) from Ann Brown (annbrownphotography.com) "Thank you for having enough time on your hands to sit and create all these lovelies, Andrew. There are zillions of them and they are very affordable. I'm sure I will find many uses for them" 3) From Carol Goodell Bingham Farms, Michigan, USA Member: MacGroup Detroit/NAPP: "From my perspective, using tools from Abneil Software Ltd/tools/presets/styles/brushes etc. for Photoshop® leads me to places and designs I would never have arrived at without them. The path itself is exciting and allows my artist's soul to play freely and happily."
Custom shapes reviews
Review on pencildude.com of the shapes
On purchase
Purchase via secure paypal. You will be sent a link to download the software. Please download the software / presets and make a backup to CD DVD etc. Any questions, issues with installation, please contact us for help
About Graphicxtras.com
Graphicxtras.com is a website for royalty-free content and exciting hi-impact plug-in effects. All the content has been created by graphicxtras.com (Andrew Buckle) for use in commercial as well as hobby designs. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact me. You can also call me on (UK +44) 1622 688 375. Privacy: details are not sent onto any third party. All purchases are via paypal (or shareit.com). This is the official source of all graphicxtras.com material, however, you can also purchase the items on a number of scrapbooking sites as well