Defining Custom Shape-Immediate Attention (for me..)

ecntrc · 11-11-2005

Not to be pushy but.. I need to know like now.. lol. Um, I have an image that I would like to make into a custom shape.. only one problem.. where it says.. define custom shape it wont let me.. its not highlighted, wont let me select it.. what do I do to get this to work?? I tried putting the image in different color forms.. you know gray scale RGB those ones.. Tried it as a brush and then define as custom shape but nothing will work.. anyone know how I can get this going?? I dont want anyone to think Im like "hurry up B*%^&" Because Im not.. if no one responds.. Ill have to keep looking on the internet but yeah.. thanks and i appreciate it..

Cerenza · 11-11-2005

is the image locked`? Right next to the imagename on the layer palette, if you see a lock there, that would be the problem.
Copy the image by selecting it. Use the magic wand and select inverse.
Then paste it in another window.

Tell me if it helpt...

ecntrc · 11-11-2005

nope that didnt work.. thanks though.. i hope i can get it to go.. but if not thats alright..

Heruka · 11-11-2005

Umm...I may be wrong about this, since I use PS 7 and you have CS, but don't you have to define a path on the image before you convert it to a Custom Shape? I don't think its even possible to make a shape from an image just like that. I mean, think about it, a custom shape IS a path object. Try using the Pen tool to trace the outline of your image, then define the PATH as a Custom Shape.

Cupcake · 11-22-2005

I generally make a custom shape with a path. But you can define a custom shape from a brush. Example: The swoopy curvy borders that are very popular now I use my pen tool and starting in the upper left hand corner of my canvas draw a line down the side and click at the bottom. Then about a inch and a half across the bottom. Now up half way and make a pen point then to the top and another pen point back to the upper left hand corner and complete the rectangle. Then I pick the convert tool which the carrot shaped tool under the pen tool icon. I grab the point on the right of my rectangle and move the anchor points till I have the swoop or curve I want. I then go to edit define shape and add this to my custom shapes. Or I can use a brush and stamp a shape on my canvas. With the bounding box around the shape I can edit define shape. The size of the object to creat a shape out of can't be too large I have found. Custom shapes can be made from lace, leaves, and other things I have scanned. and from royality free shapes out on the internet. I have become somewhat addicted to creating custom shapes, they are so much fun touse

ecntrc · 11-22-2005

i tried the vector mask thing right.. and um.. it didnt work.. i almost went nuts! my husband was wondering wtf was wrong with me.. when you have the pen tool selected which box needs to be selected? shape layers, paths or filled pixels?

Heruka · 11-22-2005

Paths, of course. Once tha path is done, right-click it to access the option to convert it to a Custom Shape.