CDWS Digital Media : Resources

Tutorials: Creating A Custom Shape

This tutorial will show you how to create a custom shape in Photoshop from an Adobe Illustrator vector file. This is a convenient way to have your logo or symbol readily accessible in Photoshop, while still being able to enlarge the shape without losing edge quality.

Before staring, make sure make sure that the AICB selection is checked in Adobe Illustrator's preferences.

Open your vector file in Adobe Illustrator.

Select your file and go to File>Copy (or Command-C on Macs, Control-C on PC).

Switch over to Photoshop, and go to File>Paste (Command-V on Macs, Control-V on PC).

An option window will appear. Make sure that Path is chosen.

Your image will appear as a path outline, and is represented as a Work Path in the Path window.

With the path chosen, go to Edit>Define Custom Shape.

A pop-up window will appear that allows you to name your new shape.

Now when you go to your Custom Shapes Menu, your new shape will appear at the end of the list!

Go back to Tips & Tricks List