Custom Shapes?

I'm a long-time Photoshop user who's recently started using
Fireworks for wire framing websites. It has a lot of advantages
over PS in that regard, but I'm used to reaching for my custom
shape tool in PS, and in Fireworks I'm not finding anything
resembling it.
Can I somehow access my PS custom shapes from within FW, or
do I have to export the shapes out of PS and import them into FW?
Thanks in advance ...

mistertheplague wrote:
> I'm a long-time Photoshop user who's recently started
using Fireworks
> for wire framing websites. It has a lot of advantages
over PS in that
> regard, but I'm used to reaching for my custom shape
tool in PS, and
> in Fireworks I'm not finding anything resembling it.
>
> Can I somehow access my PS custom shapes from within FW,
or do I have
> to export the shapes out of PS and import them into FW?
Thanks in
> advance ...
You'll find a few similar things in the Common Library panel.
Most the
the shapes in Photoshop look like ding fonts and Wing Dings,
which, if
you have the fonts installed, you can just type into your
document. You
can also create your own custom library of shapes. Here's
how:
http://www.fireworkszone.com/page-2-0-310.html
Linda Rathgeber - Adobe Community Expert
http://www.adobe.com/communities/experts/members/8.html

Similar Messages

Could not complete the define custom shape command because of program error

I am using the pen tool to draw a shape and then select it to create a custom shape. I use path: edit - define custom shape = "could not complete the define custom shape command because of program error"
The error message appears once I click the define button.

Also, I solved this another way, seems to happen to me often. I click on the path panel, near layers panel and clicked on 'load path as a selection' (3rd icon on bottom from left), then click 'make work path from selection' (4th icon on bottom from left). Then you will see that the whole work area is part of the selection, including your desired shape/path. In order to change this, just select 'path selection' tool and highlight each corner and delete each point from each corner, then you are left with the desired selection to create a shape. I am self taught and this seem unorthodox, but it works.

When I click on Define Custom Shape, I get an error message: "could not complete your request because of a program error."

I'm using Photoshop CC 2014. When I click on Define Custom Shape, there is an error box that says "could not complete your request because of a program error." How can I solve this problem or work around it? I've looked on the internet for answers but could find no solutions to this. The custom shape tool is 99% of what I use!

Consider resetting the Pen tool by right clicking here
and if that doesn't solve the problem a logical next step would be to reset your Preferences.
To reset Preferences:
If Photoshop is already open on your screen, close it (Quit). Then hold down Shift+Ctrl+Alt (Win) / Shift+Command+Option (Mac) on your keyboard and start Photoshop.
A dialog box will pop up asking if you want to delete the existing Preferences file (the "Settings"). Click Yes in the dialog box. The existing Preferences file will be scrapped and a new one will be created.
By the way, if "The custom shape tool is 99% of what I use!" have you considered Illustrator?

How do I save a custom shape to use as a text box?

I've finally worked out how to define a custom shape. Is there any way to save it and use it in other documents?

Save the document in which it's defined as a template.
Every document created from this custom template will embed your custom shape.
Yvan KOENIG (VALLAURIS, France) mercredi 26 janvier 2011 11:30:30

Define custom shape error in Photoshop CC 14.2.1

whene I try to define Custom Shape I got this message

Those errors are from February 7, so not helpful. (and they were probably due to bugs in Generator that got fixed in 14.2.1).
Hmm, not sure why you aren't getting an error logged.
And I can't seem to get any errors when defining a custom shape.
What sort of shape/path do you have selected?
What sort of document are you using?

Can anyone tell me how to load an image to custom shape in Photoshop? I can't save it as csh...

I've made an image, as the watermark of our photos, but I can't load it to Custom Shape in PS CS4 as I can't save it as csh. Do you know how to upload an image type file that is not csh? Or how to convert the image to csh? Thanks.

As Chris says, you can't make it into a custom shape unless you create it as a path. But you can save it as a Custom Brush (in monochrome).

Tutorial: Creating, saving and re-using Custom Shapes

I've beeen experimenting with custom shapes for the last couple of days, and thought I'd share some of the tips and techniques I found.
First of all, what are custom shapes?
Well, they're vector objects. That means that they are not built out of millions of individual pixels (like images are), but rather they're a series of mathematical statements that describe how to draw a line from point to point to create the vector shape. This means that custom shapes are "resolution independent", and that they can be grossly shrunk or enlarged and still retain razor sharp edges, curves and corners.
What are custom shapes good for?
Pretty much anything where you want to use a good, sharp object. In particular, using a custom shape as a clipping mask for an image that's been placed as a Smart Object is an outstanding technique, and really shows off the power that PSE is capable of.
PSE comes with a lot of ready-to-use custom shapes for its Custom Shape tool, and there are probably hundreds of thousands available on the Web -- just search for "photoshop shapes". Typically, those shapes will be supplied as Adobe CSH (Custom SHape) files, and simply copying the CSH files into the
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Photoshop Elements 10\Presets\Custom Shapes"
directory will make them available for use with the Custom Shape tool.
Sooner or later, though, you'll get the itch to create your own custom shapes. Out of the box, PSE does not have the capability to let you create custom shapes and add them to the CSH files like the "big" Photoshop does, so we'll need to use a workaround: store your custom shapes as layers in a PSD file, and when you want to use them simply copy them into your image.
N.B.: To create custom shapes you'll have to use the reasonably priced Elements+ add-in:
http://elementsplus.net/
So, the procedure goes like this:
Create a new image, using the PSE defaults, and save it as "CustomShapes01.psd", keeping it open.
Open an image containing an object that you want to use as a custom shape.
Use any of the selection tools to make an accurate selection of the object:
In the Effects panel, use the Elements+...Paths effect and choose the Create New Path...From Current Selection:
Use the Elements+...Paths again, choosing "Convert to Shape", giving it a name and colour of your choosing. This will create a Shape Layer using that name.
Important: If your shape has "holes",
use the Shape Selection tool and click on the shape to select it. Then hit the "Combine" button in the Options Bar. This will combine all the individual shapes used to create the shape and its "holes" into one shape, and prevent beaucoup problems later.
Switch to the Move tool and drag the shape onto the tab of your "CustomShapes01.psd" image, keeping your mouse button pressed. That image will become activated and you can move your cursor onto the image itself and drop your shape onto it. Your PSD file will now have your custom shape as a shape layer:
Save that "CustomShapes01.psd" file.
You can repeat the process for as many custom shapes as you want, and they will each become a layer in the "CustomShapes01.psd" file.
To use your custom shape, open the "CustomShapes01.psd" file and your target image and do the drag and drop with the Move tool to copy the custom shape onto your target image.
I mentioned that using a custom shape as a clipping mask for an image placed as a Smart Object is a very powerful technique. It's powerful because the custom shape can be altered at any time and still keep its sharpness, and because the Smart Object can also be resized without becoming pixellated. Of course, that custom shape layer can have any number of layer styles applied to it and those layer styles will "follow" the shape if the shape is moved, resized or rotated.
Here are three examples of using the custom shapes as clipping masks for Smart Objects:
In this example, each custom shape is used as a clipping mask for an image Smart Object, as usual:
Here, one custom shape was used as a clipping mask for an image Smart Object and they were linked.
Then the shape and image were duplicated and moved, rotated and resized. Because of the linking, the Smart Object automatically kept its orientation and size relative to the custom shape throughout:
If you want to use custom shapes as a "combined" clipping mask, the procedure is a little more complicated because you need to get all your custom shapes on one shape layer.
So, after copying your shapes into the target image (as separate shape layers), use the Shape Selection tool to select one of the shapes. Using Edit...Cut will cut that shape layer to the Clipboard, and you can select one of the other shape layers and use Edit...Paste to paste the custom shape into that shape layer. Repeat as necessary, and you will get all of your custom shapes on one shape layer. Then use that single shape layer as your clipping mask:
The neat thing is that the individual shapes can be selected with the Shape Selection tool and independently moved, resized or rotated as necessary.
Enjoy!
Ken

Thanks, Michel.
I forgot to mention one point about copying shape layers into one shape layer: when you initially use the Shape Selection tool to select a shape for cutting, make sure the option for the Shape Selection tool is set to "Add to Selection".
MichelBParis wrote:
The problem with Elements+ is that it has so many features you soon forget what it can give you !
Truer words were never spoken!
Ken

Define Custom Shape doesn't work in Photoshop CS5

It seems to be impossible to Define Custom Shape in Photoshop CS5. This option in Edit menu always remains grayed out...
Can anyone check and see if this is the case in your own installation of the program?
Very same procedure works in Photoshop CS4 just fine, but not in CS5...

Hi Fox,
I think you might just have found a bug there. I've reported it upstairs.

Custom Shape not showing up in animated gif

Hi guys,
I'm fairly new to this/to PS so apologies upfront and send me elsewhere if I'm in the wrong discussion. But here's my problem: I'm trying to create an animated gif. It's pretty simple and only involves 3 layers, with some tweening for a fade in. Then 2 of the 3 layers are text layers with vector masks (the custom shape talk bubble with some text). But when I add a frame to the animation, select that text/vector mask layer, then add another frame, and select the other layer with the second text/talk bubble and then play the animation, the bubble never appears.
Also when just working with the layers in my psd, I see that when I click away to a basic layer and come back to a layer with the vector mask, I always have to actually click the vector mask thumbnail to see the whole thing on the screen.
Any ideas? (I said I was new . . . .)
Thanks.
(Using iMac with os 10.5.7, ps cs4 with latest update.)

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Question about Custom Shape Files from newbie to PS

My husband bought me PS CS4 Extended. That said, I have never used PS at all. I have always used PSP. Please don't hate me!
I have figured out that one loads actions and presets. OK, got that. The question I have is if I can have my Custom Shapes and Actions on a completely different partition? I ask this because there is not enough room on the partition for me to continue adding shapes and such to PS in the program itself. I am figuring that I can since I have tio load them into the program anyway, but am asking to be sure so that I don't screw anything up.
Another question I have is if I am able to point PS to where all of my plugins are that I already have installed in PSP, which also happen to be on a different partition. In PSP all one has to do is to point the program to where they are and all is good and they can be used within said program. Does PS allow for this also? If not, do I have to re-install all of the plugins into the PS program itself? I just don't have that much room on the partition that my PS resides on because of all of the other pregrams that I have. Also, does everything I load into PS just stay loaded or do I have to reload each time I want to use that particular preset?
I do hope that ya'll can understand my questions and thank you for any help in advance.

the benefit of having the presets in the proper folders is that you can select them from the fly-out menus instead of having to search for them using the Load command so yes, you can have them wherever you want. I doubt though that you don't have enough disk space for them, for instance, all the actions that come with Photoshop take up about 200kb, the custom shapes are about 700kb but that's because they come in duplicates. And yes, all that you load up stays in Photoshop until you remove them, no need to reload them at program start. For plug-ins you have the option to set an additional plug-in folder by going to Edit->Preferences->Plug-ins, don't know about needing to install them though as i don't use any

Export Flexibility of Custom Shapes & Layer Styles?

Over the past few years I've developed a workflow for icon creation that involves purely custom shapes and layer styles. This has been fantastic from a number of points of view
- Vector based workflow for easy scaling, resizing
- Easy maintenance of style coherence with layer style presets
- Custom shape library means rapid prototyping of common elements
While this approach in Photoshop helps me rapidly develop icons, it's now presenting some challenges from an export point of view. Specifically the path to vector based formats like svg and xaml is hindered by the fact that Photoshop and Fireworks/Illustrator don't share a common layer styles approach. (Fireworks having a XAML export plugin and Illustrator having both XAML plugin and SVG export capability)
While the above programs are more geared towards vector work, they don't offer the flexibility of Photoshop when it comes to creating photorealistic icons with texturing.
Is anyone aware of a method for exporting a vector element from photoshop while maintaing the editability of layer styles? (Exporting simple shapes in PDF works but falls down once masks and layer styles come into the equation)
Fireworks CS4 seems to import select PSD's decently but there is not a 1:1 relationship between the layer effects from Photoshop. Illustrator seems to assume that anything coming out of Photoshop will be bitmap based and acts accordingly.
Any feedback or similar experiences would be appreciated.
Cian Walsh
[link deleted]

Hi guys,
From last week am I trying to do what I mentioned in post above, I just find it very difficult to do. Now I beginning to doubt whether it is possible or not, provided the SDK we have for CS4.
What do you think, is it a doable item and I am missing some simple thing ??
Please let me know of your views its really very important.
Thanks,
D

Installing custom shapes in PSE 7

I have some .csh files I used when I had PSE 4 and have just upgraded. I've been able to successfully edit the meta data files and install layer styles but can't figure out how to access the custom shapes files. I had expected to click on the double arrow from the custom shape dropdown to get to a "Load shapes" menu but I don't see one. I have Windows XP.

Well, I figured it out by trial and error I guess. Here is the path where you put the custom shapes (Windows and PSE 7.0).
C:\Documents and Settings\Lisa\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\7.0\Presets\Custom Shapes
The difference is that we put the layer styles in the path C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\7.0\Photo Creations\shapes.
Note the difference between "Lisa" and "All Users".
After doing this and deleting the ThumbDatabase.db3 and MediaDatabase.db3 files, PSE rebuilt them and my custom shapes now showed up. WHEW!!!! What a pain. I guess the confusing part was the difference in that some things are for A user and not All Users.

MY CUSTOM SHAPE TOOL HAS DISAPPEARED

The tool CUSTOM SHAPE all of a sudden disappeared from the tool bar on the left. (where you can add text, crop, clone, etc.) I uninstalled Photoshop Elements 2.0 and reinstalled it and it's still not there. Can anybody help this grandma before I go into cardiac arrest?

Mary,
This might be your problem.
Refer to this screenshot of my PSE2 desktop:
http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ubxepKqYpQJZwRWoXkClf5otuL1Ah1
The toolbar item indicated by the red arrow activates the 7 shape tools. Whichever of these tools is active, that icon will show on the toolbar. In my example it is the Rectangle Tool. If you click on the Custom Shape Tool icon in the options bar (blue arrow), the Custom Shape Tool icon will then show on the toolbar.
If the shape tools icon on the toolbar has totally disappeared I have no idea what happened. Try resetting your preferences file (similar to shat VkSharma said). To do this, press and hold Alt-Ctrl-Shift immediately while starting PSE. The timing is critical, you may have to try this several times. A dialog box will pop up with the question "Delete the Adobe Photoshop Elements Settings file?". Click YES.

Disappearing custom shapes

i've posted about this before, but never received a single answer.
hopefully meanwhile someone's figured out what's going on
so, i followed, step by step, the ken stone tutorial on making custom shapes - highly recommended set of tutorials on this and other topics - but am having a problem applying them.
that is, i can apply them and save my project.
if i then close the project, dvdsp clears the "custom shapes" palette - even though i did __not select "for this project only" when importing the shapes....
now when i re-open the project, dvdsp will complain about the shape it itself has made disappear and removes the shapes from dvd-menu.
re-importing the shape into the "custom shapes" palette triggers another error message about the shape already being there even though the shapes palette is totally empty...
what am i missing here????
thanks

Okay, Problem solved. In the toolbar I had hit "Paths" somehow, instead of it being set to "Shape Layers"
Doh!!
Thanks for your time if you've looked here though!

How to create Custom shapes in Crystal Reports ?

All,
i need to create two thickish semi circles like half donuts... each of the donut needs to be conditionally formatted depending on some values. am wondering is it possible to create half donuts ? or custom shapes for that matter to suit my requirement.

here's what i would recommend and it's a bit of work:
create a bunch of formulas that you can populate dynamically.
@green
if yourcondition1 then 1 else 0
@red
if yourcondition2 then 1 else 0
@blue
if yourcondition3 then 1 else 0
etc.
as Abhilash mentioned you need to use a Donut type chart. you create 1 formula for every colour that you want to use in the chart. you then add all of them as Show Values. you'll get a message / warning about adding all of the values but you can ignore that warning.
now you have to manually colour each part of the chart. there is a Color Expert in the chart but i would not recommend using it as it is very limited. you are better off creating one series / show value in the chart for every colour that you use and populating those formulas conditionally.
when you run the report, you need to ensure that only 2 of the formulas meet a TRUE condition. that way you'll have two halves all the time.
-jamie

Custom shape library

Hi all,
is there a way to have the custom shapes library always open on a panel, like the brush preset panel?
I am using them a lot and I don't understand why I still have to right click to select an other shape, and I cannot have it on a panel like many other tools (brushes, swatches, style, .....).
If there is a trick I missed, thank you to teach me.
thank you in advance,
regards
Thomas

Your diamond looked like it was square to me. So I centered your diamond over your canvas add a vertical guide at 50%. Measured your square to be 190 PX Dragged out a 190 PX square shape no fill 1 px red stroke. Transformed the shape rotating it 45 degrees and moved it up to align with your diamond. Dragged out a horizontal guide to match your diamond cut. Used the Pen tool to add two control points the square shape. and then use the pen tool to delete the top control point then convert control point tool to convert the two added control points.
http://www.mouseprints.net/old/dpr/Diamond.psd

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