Shape Tool Gear icon not responding

[Richard___G]

I'm trying to add shapes.  As I understand it, one clicks the cutom shape icon on the left and then in the toolbat whic appear at top, you click on the shapes dropdown and then the gear icon with appears and that icon is supposed to provide the option to add/import shapes.  My problem is that when clicking on the icon nothing appears.  Am I doing something wrong? Thhis happens whether ot not I hove already have applied a shape

TIA - Richard

[JJMack · Accepted solution]

No you create the path for the Cutsom shape then use menu Edit>Define custom shape.

In old version if Photoshop you can import Custom shaped using the Preset Manager. Newer version of Photoshop have a Shapes Palette you can import custom shapes in.

[Richard___G]

Thanks JJMack!

The menu option you showed only allows me to rename the shape.  Once I selected a shape I was able to add new shapes with the gear icon which wasn't working yesterday.  Weird.

I hope I can bother you with 2 more question if you don't mind. I've been pretty impressed with your knowledge..

1. Now when I add a shape, it comes in with small lines at the edges.  What are they for , how can I use them and how can I get rid of them?

2. The blue bubbles no longer display when I bring in a shape.  I assume they are points for modifying the shape.  Again,  how can I use them and how can I get rid of them?

I've searched for the answers to these questions but can't seem to find the correct answers.  I'm using PS 2020.

Thanks vey much, Richard

[JJMack]

Show a screen capture your are referring to.  You define new shapes and you import shapes.   You rename old shapes. Please identify what versions of Photoshop you are dealing with. Are you using the old Preset Manager or the new Shapes palette to manage your Custom shapes.  The Shape Palette menu I showed had Import Shapes and Photoshop's Edit menu has Define Custom shape. Old Preset manager has a Load button. Here is what CS6 Preset Manager looks like managing Custom Shapes.

PS 2020

You use them by dragging them out or specifying the the size in dialog.  Once you have the shape layer you can transform its size and edit its path.

[JJMack]

My son's high school art project.  Caricature of one self.  He captured himself well then.  However he has less hair these days has three of my grandchildren and is now the art teacher. 

[Richard___G]

Talented guy!

[Richard___G]

Let's disregard how I imported the shapes for. now  I managed it somehow and it worked.  My problem is when I select a shape, place it on the page, and size it, the outline has lines instead of bubbles to select and reshape it:

How and which tools exacly do I use to reshape and then how do I get rid of the lines? I'm sorry to be taking up so much of your time.  Is there an article or video which could help?  I've had no luck finding one.

Thanks, Richard

[JJMack]

What you posted looks like shape  with a stroke that looks somewhat like s zipper. You should post screen captures where Photoshop UI is visible so we can get some Idea of what you are doing.  Open a new document change the shape tool  mode from shape  to path. Draw out a path so you can see the shape layer blue Path.  Then switch to the direct selection tool to clock one the  path to see the square control points then click om a control point so you cans see the handles with the round points. You may need to zoom in to see the handles.

[JJMack]

edit

[Richard___G]

Dude, thanks for your patience!

Per your instructions:

Open a new document change the shape tool  mode from shape  to path. Draw out a path so you can see the shape layer blue Path. 

Done, and I got a shape with the blue squares - yay. Switching from shape to path did it.

Then switch to the direct selection tool to clock one the  path to see the square control points then click om a control point so you cans see the handles with the round points. You may need to zoom in to see the handles.

I switched to the direct selection tool, this guy, right?

but neither of the tool options allows me to reshape the shape when I grab a  blue box control point .  I grab and move and the entire shape moves.  I don't understand what you mean by "to clock the path" - typo?  Sorry to be so slow on this, But I think we're alsmost there.

Thanks for all your help!

[Richard___G]

Now it's working!  Very strange.  Maybe switching back & forth from the two pointer types did it.  I also get the vector reshape contols as well.  I hope I can repeat this in the future.

Thanks again for all you help!!

[Richard___G]

Well, it I'd listened better earlie, I just found that whis works perfectly:

"No you create the path for the Cutsom shape then use menu Edit>Define custom shape."

Sigh, thanks again, Richard