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J
jdxs
Participating Frequently
December 30, 2017
Answered

Creating a selection from multiple pen paths

  • December 30, 2017
  • 4 replies
  • 17820 views

I am using Photoshop CC 2018.

I have just spent a long time creating meticulous separate multiple pen paths in the expectation that I could make a single selection from them. I saved each path as created.

It seemed like a logical thing to try with the new curvature pen tool that makes creating pen paths so much easier.

However, I can find no way to make a single selection from these paths. I have spent several frustrating hours and tried everything I can think of without any success. I have found no solutions online.

I have just one layer and 25 paths. If I shift-click the paths, they appear on the layer and I can select all the paths using the Path Selection Tool and drawing around them. If I turn off the visibility of the layer I see all the paths.

I just can't turn them into a selection...

Anyone know of a solution?

Correct answer macpawel

Try this.

Go to Paths panel

Press CTRL/Cmd key on your Keyboard and click thumbnail of yours first path - it should load selection based on clicked Path.

Then

Still hold CTRL/Cmd key pressed and press Shift key and click second, third, ect. thumbnail of your paths (shift key adding new selection to the first one)

Just ctrl/cmd + Shift click on all thumbnails of yours path to load selection.

You can use this method to load any selection from path, layer, mask, channel you want

pawel

4 replies

I
itsmemorgane
New Participant
February 5, 2020

I was having the same problem trying to make a vector mask with multiple paths on one layer. The solution is to "Exclude Overlapping Shapes" via Path Operations options in the pen tool properties bar.

    J
    jdxsAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    December 30, 2017

    Thanks so much for the 'solution'.

    I did try this - and numerous other methods from my general experience of how Photoshop works. But nothing worked.

    But I now think I have an unusual situation - which led to me thinking that the general solution does not work.

    The basic shape I am trying to cut out is a complicated ladder - plus some other accessories - but let's stick with the ladder.

    I first traced around the outside and inside up to the first rung. I'm not sure how, but I then added the space between the second and third rung. I saved the path. Let's call this path 1. Then I was unable to add the third space to path one without replacing it. So I created a new path and saved it as path 2. And so on....

    I use cmd-enter on path 1. A selection is made. I use cmd-shift-click on path 2 and path 1 is no longer selected. BUT, If I do not include path 1, then everything works as expected..! As soon as path1 is added to the mix, it replaces whatever else has been added to the selection.

    Here are images of path 1; path 2; path 3; paths 1 through 15 after clicking on path 1 and then shift-clicking on path 15; paths 1-15 after drawing around them with the path selection tool. In all cases, the image has been disabled to make it clearer.

    So what's different about path1? Does the fact that it is composed of two separate paths make it behave differently?

    Yes, I know, dump and recreate it and move on..!

    But I would like to understand what is occurring - and be able to avoid it in future - if someone has an explanation.

    Many thanks again...

    J
    jdxsAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    December 30, 2017

    Perhaps an image of the first two paths in the paths panel would be helpful:

    J
    jdxsAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    December 30, 2017

    It's OK... i came to my senses (I hope) and realized that, in the first path I was putting a path around the ladder and, in subsequent paths was selecting the gaps between rungs rather than the rungs...! And expected PS to figure out I was trying to mix oranges and apples...

    But I've learned a lot about paths and path manipulation in the process and apologize for leading you along a false path - if you will excuse the pun...!

    Pawel provided what should have been the correct process.

    Trevor.Dennis
    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    December 30, 2017

    You can also combine multiple paths

    By copying a path with Ctrl c, and pasting to another path with Ctrl v

    You can then copy in one go by Ctrl clicking the path

    But most of us would use Pawel's method of Shift clicking to add to the selection.

    BTW  You can merge the paths from the Path operations pull down.  If you copy to a new path, then you still have the original.

    c.pfaffenbichler
    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    December 30, 2017
    But most of us would use Pawel's method of Shift clicking to add to the selection.

    Or simply create one Path with all the subPaths right away instead of 25 Paths.

    Another issue I wonder about: Why a Selection instead of a Vector Mask? Is selective blurring necessary?

      Trevor.Dennis
      Trevor.Dennis
      Community Expert
      December 30, 2017

      c.pfaffenbichler  wrote

      Another issue I wonder about: Why a Selection instead of a Vector Mask?

      Yes, good point. 

      macpawel
      macpawelCorrect answer
      Participating Frequently
      December 30, 2017

      Try this.

      Go to Paths panel

      Press CTRL/Cmd key on your Keyboard and click thumbnail of yours first path - it should load selection based on clicked Path.

      Then

      Still hold CTRL/Cmd key pressed and press Shift key and click second, third, ect. thumbnail of your paths (shift key adding new selection to the first one)

      Just ctrl/cmd + Shift click on all thumbnails of yours path to load selection.

      You can use this method to load any selection from path, layer, mask, channel you want

      pawel

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