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lc55472355
Inspiring
December 26, 2023
Question

How to define a custom shape from a saved path?

  • December 26, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 1110 views

I've defined a custom shapes made up of multiple disconnected shapes before, but I can't get Photoshop to do it this time.   Initially I got the message "Could not complete your request because the current path is empty."  I'm able to stroke the path but the Fill With Foreground Color doesn't respond.  I tried activating each section individually and filling them but still got the "Could not complete . . . current path is empty" message. I've tried half a dozen other things, including turning the saved path into a shape path, but either Edit > Define Custom Shape... is greyed out or I get the "Could not complete . . . current path is empty" message.  

 

I've seen it recommended to reset Preferences recommended, but all of my preferences are customized so it's the nuclear option.

 

Running Photoshop for Mac v. 25.3.1 on Mac mini M1.

 

 

 

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    3 replies

    Trevor.Dennis
    Trevor.Dennis
    Brainiac
    December 27, 2023

    It looks like you are not closing your path segments.  Can you see the tiny offset between the line ends?

     

    That's the only way you'd see a fully grey background for the Path thumbnail

     

    When you finish each segment, hover over the start of the path till you see the little circle icon and then click to close.  This is regardless of what Path operation you have set.

     

    [EDIT]  To continue building the same path, hit the Escape key after closing each segment.

    To combine separate paths, Ctrl drag a window around the path to make all points active (solid). Select another path and Ctrl V to paste.  You can chose how the two paths will merge with Path Operations, and see what is happening in the thumbnail.

     

    If you have the space, Setting thumnails to Large in Panel Options, makes it much easier to see what is going on

      L
      lc55472355Author
      Inspiring
      December 27, 2023

      That's good to know about the thumbnail sizes--all this time and I never realized there were options for the Layers panel!  Hopefully I'll remember that a greyed-out shape in the Paths panel means there is an unclosed path.  

      It turns out there was a glitch hanging up the Fill path command and I forgot the first rule of fixing mystery problems:  reload the program or restart the computer!  

       

      Trevor.Dennis
      Trevor.Dennis
      Brainiac
      December 27, 2023

      Most of the main panels have Options.  The Layers Panel has to be the most relevant after all the hassle about layer mask badges,

       

      I particularly like the Info panel options, as it gives you options to display a lot of additional useful/interesting information.

        Jeff Arola
        Jeff Arola
        Adobe Expert
        December 26, 2023

        Set the Path operations to Exclude Overlapping Shapes and see if that makes a difference

         

          kglad
          kglad
          Adobe Expert
          December 26, 2023

          in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

          p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post (like this one has already been moved) if it helps you get responses.



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