SHAPES WITHOUT THE SHAPE LAYER

If you use Photoshop's Shape tools, by default they create a Shape layer (which is basically a layer filled with your Foreground color, with a clipping path in the shape of your shape, if that makes any sense). We've had loads of e-mails from users asking us, "Do I have to have that funky Shape layer? Can't I just have the shape without the layer and clipping path?" Absolutely! When you choose one of the Shape tools, look up in the Options Bar and on the far left you'll see three icons. Click on the third icon from the left and you'll get just the shape-no Shape layer, no paths, no kidding.