Combining Vectors in PSCS
pechos (120 points) | Thu, 2006-09-14 22:34Hey hey,
Does anyone know if there is a way to take 2 vector auto shapes in Photoshop CS (not CS2), which are already created and on their own layers, and combine and/or subtract them from one another?
Yes, I know you can do this no problem by choosing the respective option in the options bar if you are creating these shapes sequentially one after another, but once again, my question is more geared towards the combining of 2 already created vectorshapes on their own layers.
For example, lets say I have a rectangle, and two circles on their own layers, and I want to combine these into one layer / shape to form a pill shape. Make Sense?
I have tried just about everything and thought I was on to something by using the path selection tool to grab both shapes/layers, but unfortunately PSCS will not let you select the 2 shapes at once, only link them, and in this case, that was not a workaround.
I am pretty sure it cannot be done, but would love to be proven wrong.
Thanks in advance,
David
Let's see.
I created your idea of two circles and one rectangle, each on a different layer.
Now they have to be combined in one shape.
I selected the one layer, held down the Cmd/Ctrl and clicked on the shape thumb (Circle one), now I have a selection of my circle.
With the Cmd/Ctrl still held down I hovered to the shape layer (Circle 2) and still with the Cmd/Ctrl key held down I added the Shift key and clicked on the shape thumb.
With the two keys held down I did the same thing with the rectangle.
Now I have a selection of the three items.
For security reasons (with the selection stil active) I created a new layer.
Now click on the paths tab and clicked on the litle black triangle and choosed "Make Workpath". Went back to the triangle and saved the path.
Now I have a vector path that is a combination of the previous three vectors.
Now you can stroke the path or fill it, again you will find these options in the paths palet behind the little black triangle.
Is this what you want to achieve?
fidel
If you want to combine two vector shapes on separate layers, the easiest way is to select one path with the direct selection tool.
Then you click on the shape layer you want to paste it into and make sure the shape tool is selected. It won't work otherwise. The pathfinder tools should be available and you can click between the modes just after you have pasted the shape. Make pill-like buttons using this method all the time but will agree it is very counter intuitive.
afterglow.ie - Icons, interfaces, illustration
Cian,
I had a feeling this post might have grabbed your attention. I actually thought about just emailing you directly, suppecting you would know. That is exactly what I was looking to do. Thank You!
I used the pill example for the sake of simplicity, but what I was actually using it for was to create the subtle shine on the top of a button by overlapping 2 rounded rectangels and then subtracting to form the reflection, and this does the trick. Copy, paste, subtract and combine.
Fidel, thank you for your reply as well. What you suggested would have worked, but this is the cleaner way I was hoping for in order to really maintain the integrity of my paths and their points.
Thanks again Cian!
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