How Do I Get More Shapes in Photoshop?

If you're a graphic designer or someone who frequently works with Photoshop, you may find yourself in need of more shapes to enhance your designs. Luckily, Photoshop provides a variety of ways to access and add new shapes to your creative toolbox. In this tutorial, we'll explore a few methods on how to get more shapes in Photoshop.

Method 1: Using the Pre-installed Shapes

Photoshop comes with a wide range of pre-installed shapes that you can easily access.

To find these shapes, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Open Photoshop on your computer.
• Step 2: Select the "Custom Shape Tool" from the toolbar. It looks like a puzzle piece icon.
• Step 3: In the options bar at the top, click on the shape thumbnail.

A drop-down menu will appear displaying various shape sets available in Photoshop.

You can choose from basic shapes like rectangles, circles, and triangles or explore more complex shapes such as arrows, speech bubbles, or animals. Once you've selected a shape set, simply click and drag on your canvas to create the shape.

Method 2: Downloading Custom Shape Packs

If the pre-installed shapes don't meet your needs, you can expand your collection by downloading custom shape packs created by other designers. These packs often contain unique and specialized shapes that can add a creative touch to your projects.

To download and install custom shape packs in Photoshop:

• Step 1: Open your preferred web browser and search for "Photoshop custom shape packs".
• Step 2: Browse through the available options and choose a pack that suits your needs.
• Step 3: Download the shape pack to your computer.
• Step 4: Extract the downloaded file if it's compressed (e.g., in ZIP format).
• Step 5: Open Photoshop and select the "Custom Shape Tool" from the toolbar.
• Step 6: In the options bar, click on the shape thumbnail and select "Load Shapes" from the drop-down menu.
• Step 7: Locate and select the extracted shape file on your computer. Click "Load" to import the shapes into Photoshop.

The newly installed shapes will now be accessible alongside the pre-installed shapes in Photoshop's custom shape selection menu.

Method 3: Creating Your Own Custom Shapes

If you have a specific shape in mind that you can't find in the pre-installed or downloaded packs, you can create your own custom shapes in Photoshop. This method allows for limitless possibilities and gives you complete control over your designs.

To create a custom shape:

• Step 1: Open Photoshop and create a new document or open an existing one where you want to add a custom shape.
• Step 2: Select any drawing tool (e., Pen Tool, Shape Tool) from the toolbar based on your desired shape type (e., curved, geometric).
• Step 3: Draw your desired shape on its own layer using the selected tool.
• Step 4: Once you're satisfied with the shape, right-click on its layer in the Layers panel and choose "Convert to Shape."

Your custom shape will now be saved and accessible in the Custom Shape Tool's menu for future use.

Now that you have learned these three methods, you can easily expand your shape library in Photoshop. Whether you're using the pre-installed shapes, downloading custom packs, or creating your own custom shapes, having a diverse range of shapes at your disposal will undoubtedly enhance your design projects.

Experiment with different shapes and unleash your creativity!