Shape Tools | The Photoshop CS2 Help Desk Book

Shape Tools

Q1:	How do I draw arrows?
A1:	With the Line tool selected, go to the Options Bar and click on the down- facing arrow at the end of the Shape tool choices (it's called Geo-metry Options). There you'll find the Arrowheads options. Note: By default, the Line tool creates a Shape layer with a path that can be edited using the Direct Selection tool. To change this, click on the third icon (in the group of three icons on the left) in the Options Barthat will paint with pixels rather than creating a Shape layer.
Q2:	Some Shape tools create a Shape layer; some just create shapes without the layerwhy?
A2:	Before you use any of the Shape tools, take a look in the Options Bar and you'll see a group of three icons along the left. These options are: Shape Layer, Path, and Fill Pixels. Each of these icons determines the operation of the tool, and each tool remembers the last option you used. That's why some tools may be working differently than others.
Q3:	Is it possible to create an ellipse shape in a specific size ?
A3:	Choose the Ellipse tool, and click on the Geometry Options triangle (it's beside the Custom Shape tool) in the Options Bar. This will pop up a box of options, including Fixed Size. Enter the size you want in the fields, and then click once to create an ellipse in that size.
Q4:	How do I draw a shape from the center outward? I thought I could hold down Option (PC: Alt) to draw from the center outward, but with the Shape tools I'm getting the Eyedropper. Why?
A4:	With the Shape tools, the Option (PC: Alt) key will temporarily activate the Eyedropper unless you start drawing first. Click and start to drag with your Shape tool, then hold down the Option (PC: Alt) key and the shape will start drawing from the center.
Q5:	Where do I find the Magnetic Pen?
A5:	Choose the Freeform Pen tool (it's nested beneath the Pen tool in the Toolbox), and then click-and-hold on the Geometry Options triangle (it's beside the Custom Shape tool) in the Options Bar. In that pop-up box you'll find the Magnetic option.