Managing paths (Photoshop)

Managing paths (Photoshop)

When you use a pen or shape tool to create a work path the new path appears as the Work Path in the Paths palette. The Work Path is temporary you must save it to avoid losing its contents If you deselect the Work Path without saving it and start drawing again a new path will replace the existing one.

When you use a pen or shape tool to create a new shape layer the new path appears as a vector mask in the Paths palette. Vector masks are linked to their parent layer you must select the parent layer in the Layers palette in order to list the clipping path in the Paths palette. You can remove a clipping path from a layer and convert a clipping path to a rasterized mask For more information see "Creating and editing vector masks on

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Paths saved with an image appear when you open it again In Windows the Photoshop, JPEG DCS EPS PDF and TIFF formats support paths In Mac OS all available file formats support paths.

Note: Paths in formats other than those listed here generally don't sur vive a transition from Mac OS to Windows and back to Mac OS.

To create a new path in the Paths palette:

Do one of the following:

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.

To save a work path:

Do one of the following:

To save and rename choose Save Path from the Paths palette menu enter a new path name in the Save Path dialog box and click OK.

To rename a saved path:

Double-click the path s name in the Paths palette type a new name and press Enter

(Windows) or Return (Mac OS).

Note: You cannot rename a vector mask; double-clicking a vector mask creates a copy of it However you can rename the copy.

To delete a path:

Select the path name in the Paths palette.

Do one of the following:

Drag the path to the Trash button at the bottom of the Paths palette.

Choose Delete Path from the Paths palette menu.

Click the Trash button at the bottom of the Paths palette and click Yes.

To delete a path without being asked to confirm Alt-click ( Windows) or Option-click

(Mac OS) the Trash button at the bottom of the Paths palette.