"Imaginary" line created when two open paths are on the same layer

[speedygonzales9]

Hi, 

I'm using the latest version of Photoshop on my Windows 10 laptop. When I combine two shape layers (they contain open paths,) Photoshop automatically connects each individual shape together. In the screenshot below, I made two shape layers containing a three-point-path leaving the path open. I then merged the two shape layers into one. When I did this, Photoshop automatically created a stroke that connects point C to point A (the straight line) for each shape. 

Why is this? Can I make the "imaginary" line disappear for each path/shape in the same shape layer? 

Thank you 

[Myra Ferguson]

Instead of copying/pasting to make the copy, try going to the Layers panel, and in the Layers panel menu (the hamburger menu in the upper right of the Layers panel), select Duplicate Layer. Then the duplicate won't have the added segment.

[speedygonzales9]

Thank you for your quick response. I am curious if I could "cut-out" a shape whose path is open? For example, I got an open rectangle at the top. You can see the bottom is "cut-off" by a circle. However, Photoshop automatically connects to point D to point A with an "imaginary" line. How can I delete this line? 

[Bojan Živković]

Can you rather explain what is your goal and what are you trying to do?

[speedygonzales9]

I have realized that I can "remove" the unwanted line by creating another shape layer filling it in with a color and putting it over top of the "imaginary" line. 

But let's say I don't want to fill any shape in for transparency reasons. I'm trying to draw a person scratching their head. Below is a screenshot of it. What I am trying to do is to join the left arm to the body (left shoulder,) so there is no stroke in between. As you can see, there is an "imaginary" line automatically created separating the arm and the hand. There is also an "imaginary" line automatically created in the neck. How do I fix this to maintain transparency and preferably without modifying the path? 

[Bojan Živković · Accepted solution]

You may be able to achieve what you want by precisely positioning path points of two "separate shapes" which are on the same layer after merging two shape layers. Hovewer, this is dounting job (if even sometimes possible), I will recommend you Illustrator if you have acess to it. Photoshop does not have tools and functions to work with paths as Illustrator does. Wait for someone else to come with idea but beware of Ps limitations in the field of vector because it is pixel based application with some vector functionality.

[speedygonzales9]

Thank you very much for your explanation and your video! I followed your steps and it worked perfectly with my drawing. There's now no "imaginary" line separating the arm and the hand. This also fixed the "imaginary" line in the neck area which I can delete now (I couldn't before.) Unfortunately, I don't have Illustrator. 

Thank you again! 

[Myra Ferguson]

I would agree with using Illustrator instead.

If you're wanting to create characters for animation, you might also try Animate.

[franzen]

when you're done creating your combined shape, merge everything, then delete the segment you don't want.