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I was recently trying to apply a Vector Mask to a Shape Layer and noticed that this does not work, at least not in a direct way.
I found a work-around by putting the Shape Layer into a Group or turning the Shape Layer into a Smart Object and then applying the Vector Mask to that Group/Smart Object. While this works fine it is clunky and clutters up the Layers Window.
It would be great if it would work the same as it works for Raster Layers.
Agreed, scripting shows that a shape tool layer returns as a LayerKind.SOLIDFILL – there is no LayerKind.SHAPE, the difference is that if one removes the shape layer vector mask then the layer is also deleted, so perhaps this is a special sub-set of solid fill layer as it is intrinsically linked to the vector mask.
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Shape layers pretty much ARE vector masks. Just edit the Shape path.
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Agreed, scripting shows that a shape tool layer returns as a LayerKind.SOLIDFILL – there is no LayerKind.SHAPE, the difference is that if one removes the shape layer vector mask then the layer is also deleted, so perhaps this is a special sub-set of solid fill layer as it is intrinsically linked to the vector mask.
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A solid fill layer has a vector mask, but it doesn't have any paths defining a shape.
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Yes, as others have said, shape layers are basically a vector mask, so you have to edit it's original mask: add or subtract from that. You can't add two vector mask to one layer.