Photoshop, multiple vector shapes on one layer?

fRostiE · 7 Sep 2007 at 14:12

Hi there,

Is is possible to use photoshop to trace around a world map using the pen tool to produce the finished article on a single layer?

i wish use the gradient tool on the world map but keep the image as a vector incase the item goes to print

Thanks,

fRostiE

[edit] CS3 incase that matters [/edit]

psyr33n · 7 Sep 2007 at 14:27

Vector paths and raster layers are on different planes, so I don't know what you're talking about. You can have 250 vector layers and fill them in on 1 raster layer etc.

fRostiE · 7 Sep 2007 at 15:08

i couldnt use the gradient tool on more than 1 layer so i had to merge them, and by merging them i had to rastorize them meaning they were not resizable

think i've sorted it now tho, was a silly little function in photoshop which needed sorting (only installed today)

fRostiE

simisker · 7 Sep 2007 at 15:42

Yes - with the Pen tool selected, look in the menu bar at the top. There's a row of 5 little icons representing path interaction modes - the default one is the one on the far left, which tells Photoshop to start a new layer after each closed path. If you select the second icon along [the one that looks like one shape comprising of two offset squares], you can path to your heart's content and it'll all stay on the same layer.

If all the individual country/continent shapes are on different layers, you can select/copy/paste them all onto the same layer using the Path Selection tool, and once that's done, press the 'combine' button.

whitecrook · 7 Sep 2007 at 19:46

Or use Illustrator ?

gord · 7 Sep 2007 at 22:17

Ive only quickly scanned the thread but if you're doing what i think you are..

Say you draw your vector, default pen tool. So your working on layer one, then you need to draw.. say Australia which is not joined.. so you simply have layer one still the selected layer, hold the shift key and make your first point for australia.. this should allow you to create a new vector shape on the same vector layer.

fRostiE · 8 Sep 2007 at 08:04

hey, the shift thing didnt work, i tried that before posting just incase there was some kind of quick key shortcut

but its sorted now, thanks anyway