Prevent pen tool from auto-connecting?

[jdartcore]

Is there a way to prevent the pen tool from auto-connecting the two open ends of the path without selecting "path" mode in the pen tool bar?

I attached an image of exactly what im referring to. In the pic, the straight line is NOT wanted. PS automatically connects the two open ends.

I dont want to use the paths setting because then I have to stroke the path and if I want to edit the curve later that becomes a HUGE headache.

Also, Im still in CS5. Hopefully I cant still get an answer here?

Thanks for the time

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Are you talking about Shape Layers with Stroke?

If so then the Paths are closed if the Vector Mask contains more than one subPathItem, but with only one subPathItem it should not automatically close.

[jdartcore]

When I have "shapes layers " selected it is doing this. If I have "paths" selected it doesn't but I have to choose the option for "stroke the subpath".

I'm sorry I don't know enough about photoshop to know if I am creating a vector mask with more than one sub path. How would I know that? Please talk to me like I am 6 it will be difficult for me to follow technical explanations

Thank you very much for your time.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

I have no way of testing for Photoshop CS5 anymore, but did that even have proper Stroke or are you using the Layer Style Stroke? 

Please post a screenshot that includes the pertinent Panels (Layers, Paths) and the Options Bar.

[c.pfaffenbichler · Accepted solution]

According to

Adobe Photoshop version history - Wikipedia

CS6 introduced the pertinent features, quote:

• Overhauled vector tools including stroking of vector paths, dotted or dashed

So I guess you can either use Stroke Path, use a proper vector application (like Illustrator) or switch to the current version of Photoshop (but there are still limitations).

[Barb Binder]

Like c.pfaffenbichler​, I can only test as far back as CS6. But in CS6, you can select the Pen tool, select Shape from the Options bar and draw a open path to create a Shape layer. (Control/Command click on an empty part of the page to indicate that you are done drawing when you want an open path.) Then you can set the Fill/Stroke from the Options bar. Is that option in CS5? If not, a screen shot would be helpful to help us remember what we would have done.