Creating Shapes

Creating Shapes Using the Pen Tools in Adobe Photoshop CS3

In Photoshop CS3, the Pen Tool is another way to draw shapes or make selections. For more information on making selections, refer to Selecting an Area.

Creating Shapes with the Pen Tools

The Pen Tool works in much the same way as the Lasso Selection Tool, except that when you are drawing, nothing becomes selected. The Pen Tool automatically creates a closed shape filled with your chosen foreground color by connecting each new anchor point with both the first anchor point and the previous anchor point. The Pen Tool allows you to draw straight lines and curves, and the Freeform Pen Tool allows you to draw customized shapes.

1. From the Toolbox, select the Pen ToolThe cursor becomes a pen tip.
   HINT: If you want your cursor to be more precise, you can press [Caps Lock] to turn it into a crosshair.
2. From the Options bar located near the top of the screen, select Shape Layers
   
3. To begin drawing your shape, click the mouse button to create your first anchor point
4. To draw a straight line, click the mouse button to create a second anchor point
   A straight line connects the two anchor points.
5. To draw a curved line connecting the last anchor point with a new anchor point,
   1. Click and hold the mouse button where you would like to add the new anchor point
   2. Drag the mouse to create the proper curve for that segment
      NOTE: Dragging the mouse will not change the position of the anchor point, but will adjust the arc of the curve.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 as needed to create the desired shape
7. To finish your shape, click on the first anchor point you created

Using the Freeform Pen Tool

1. From the Toolbox, select the Freeform Pen Tool
   The cursor becomes a pen tip.
   HINT: If you want your cursor to be more precise, press [Caps Lock].
2. From the Options bar, click SHAPE LAYERS
3. To begin drawing, click and drag the mouse anywhere on the canvas to create your shape
   NOTE: With the Freeform Pen Tool, you do not need to add anchor points, they are automatically added.
4. To finish a freeform shape, release the mouse button
   NOTE: The ending point does not have to be the same as the beginning point.
   HINT: To edit a Freeform Pen shape, select the Direct Selection Tool, which is a hidden tool under the Path Selection Tool.
   
   

Source: http://www.uwec.edu/help/photoshopcs3/pen-tool.htm