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Beginner - ShapesOverviewIn Adobe Photoshop, there are four methods for creating objects in different shapes. They are "Marquee Tool", "Lasso Tool", "Custom Shape Tool" and "Pen Tool". The "Marquee Tools" is able to create three different shapes, rectangular, circular and column/row. |
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Marquee ToolTo select a different shape, click on the "Marquee Tool" button in the toolbar and hold down the left mouse button. Place the cursor on the image and press the left mouse button, drag the cursor while keep the mouse button down. The object created cannot be larger than the size of the whole image and once you have created it, make a new layer and fill the object with a color. Now you can select the object without re-defining its shape by holding the Ctrl button and click on the layer. |
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Lasso ToolRight below the "Marquee Tool" in the toolbar is the "Lasso Tool". It can be used to create random shapes. There are three types of Lasso Tools, Lasso Tool, Polygon Lasso Tool and Magnetic Lasso Tool. The first one enables you to draw any random shapes by dragging the cursor around in an image. With the second one you can only create shapes with sharp corners. Each mouse click places a turning point on the image and you must close the path to finalize the shape. The last one is a combination of the first two, you will be able to create a random shape with visible turning points(placed automatically) and just like the Polygon Lasso Tool, you must close the path. |
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Custom Shape ToolWith the "Custom Shape Tool", you will be able to make any kinds of regular shapes(eg. rectangles, circles, polygons, etc.). It even offers a set of pre-defined shapes like arrows, diamonds, hearts and so on. In the sample image, I made a star with this tool. There are two ways to do it, either using the polygon tool with 5 indented sides or the star from the pre-defined shapes. An advantage of the "Custom Shape Tool" is that you can modify the shape of the object later without re-draw it(provided that you have not rasterize the layer. |
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Pen ToolThe most powerful shape defining tool is the "Pen Tool". You will have full controls of creating any kinds of shapes and modify them without any restriction. The object in the sample image was made by drawing a triangle first, and then turning its sharp corners into rounded ones. I will explain the "Pen Tool" in detail in a future tutorial. |
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Tips: The first two methods can also be used to select part of an image with different shapes. The "Lasso Tool" is particularly useful in photo post-processing when combined with masks of adjustment layers. When using the "Marquee Tool", hold down the Alt key while dragging the cursor can confine the shape to either Square(Rectangular Marquee) or Perfect Circle(Elliptical Marquee). |