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EllenH42
Participating Frequently
March 20, 2017
Question

Action to create an editable vector path (live shape)

  • 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.

    2 replies

    Kevin Stohlmeyer
    Community Expert
    Kevin StohlmeyerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 20, 2017

    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.

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      EllenH42Author
      Participating Frequently
      March 21, 2017

      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

      E
      EllenH42Author
      Participating Frequently
      March 21, 2017

      I can’t find where the atn-file can be downloaded from that page …

      I do not understand why you want to create a Selection at all and not use the Path as a Vector Mask (or as a Shape Layer and then use the Shape Layer as the basis of a Clipping Group for example)?


      The link is near the end of the post, just after the images, in the word "here" at the end of the sentence “I wanted to share the action set with you, and it is available here.”

      As I said, I'm sure there are many ways to do what I want. This method was available and easy, and trying to duplicate it triggered the question I asked at the beginning of this thread.

      c.pfaffenbichler
      Community Expert
      c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 20, 2017

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

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