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Today we will look at:

• Custom Shape Tool
• Layer Blending Options
• Today’s Task

Custom Shape Tool

The Custom Shape Tool allows you to draw custom shapes. These are actually vector graphics, which is uncommon in Photoshop.

The Custom Shape Tool can be activated with the U shortcut and by scrolling through the shape tool options using Shift+U until the custom shape tool appears. Load all custom shapes in the options (in CS6 click on the cog or in earlier versions click on the arrow). Use any of the shapes that you like. I opted for the dog and the cat with a rounded rectangle in the background.

Draw shapes by dragging the cursor. Hold shift to keep the proportion.

Layer Blending Options

Activate the Layer Blending Options by double clicking next to the name of a layer (in the Layer Palette) in the high-lighted area (not the thumbnail). In class I will give an introduction to the various options. I want you to focus on the Stroke option. Click on the word (not just the tickbox) and change the colour of the outline.

Vary your line thickness on the different shapes.

Next click on the words Blending Options: Custom and reduce the Fill Opacity to 0% and vary the Fill Opacity with the different shapes.

Today’s Task

Create an image with shapes that have outlines and no or low Fill Opacity.

Suggested dimensions:

Web Preset, 800px(width) x 600px (height) 72ppi (resolution). Save your work for on-screen viewing, as JPEG or PNG.