Action to create an editable vector path (live shape)

Forum|Forum|9 years ago
March 20, 2017
2 replies
922 views

I am trying to create an Action to make a rectangle with rounded corners, as a path.

I draw a rectangle with the rectangle tool, enter the size of the rectangle and the corner radius. This creates a Work Path. Then I start recording the action, select the work path and choose "insert path" from the action menu. The action recorded is not a simple rectangle with simple parameters, but a long list of commands for each anchor point, starting like this:

To: path component list

path component

operation: add

etc.

The problem is, if I play the action, I get a rectangle that is not editable. It is the right size and shape but when I select it with the path selection tool, it doesn't show the properties of the vector shape, only the document properties.

This was obviously possible with previous versions of PS as I have a number of older actions that do create a rectangle with editable "Live Shape Properties". Is there something I'm not doing right?

Thanks for any help.

Ellen

Edit to say I'm using PS CC 2017.0.1 on a Mac with Sierra 10.12.3

This topic has been closed for replies.

Kevin Stohlmeyer

Community Expert

Any reason why you would not just use a Live Shape layer which is already editable? Seems like a very round about way to get the same results.

E

EllenH42Author

Participating Frequently

I suppose I could get to where I want to go using a shape layer, but all I really want is a path to set to a selection and not a new layer. This is just one step of a much longer action, one part of which is to give rounded corners to an image, regardless of the size of the image. I would also like to be able to change which corners are rounded and their radius if needed. I tried various approaches from actions found here and there on the web (thanks to the generous people who do put their creations online). None do exactly what I need but they pointed me in what seems like the right direction.

I wonder if it has something to do with the version of PS used. If someone more knowledgeable that I am can create a command that makes an editable path with PS 2017, I can keep trying. If not, I'll just use the path I get and forget about being able to edit it.

To tell the truth, I just did a bit of testing and it appears that the fact that the path is not editable doesn't really matter for my Action. So, at this point, it's just a matter of wanting to know if the difference is my fault because I'm doing something wrong or if it's just the way PS works now.

Ellen

c.pfaffenbichler

Community Expert

I suppose I could get to where I want to go using a shape layer, but all I really want is a path to set to a selection and not a new layer.

Why exactly is an editable Layer not good enough?

In particular in an Action I would assume it would provide editability that a Selection that presumably is used for a Layer Mask would lack.

c.pfaffenbichler

Community Expert

I think you need to record creating a Shape Layer right away instead of going through a Work Path.

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