Adobe Photoshop, a robust design and photo-editing software, allows you to do much more than just modify images. One of its lesser-known yet impactful capabilities is the ability to generate and alter shapes. In this article, we will provide you with instructions on how to combine shapes in Photoshop.
Steps to Join Shapes in Photoshop
- Open Adobe Photoshop and create a new document by clicking on File > New or press the shortcut Ctrl+N (for Windows) or Cmd+N (for Mac).
- Go to the Tools section on the left side of your screen and select the Custom Shape Tool (it may be hidden under the Rectangle Tool, Ellipse Tool, etc., so click and hold on these options to find it).
- Draw your first shape anywhere on the canvas. Once you’re happy with it, draw your second shape. Make sure the two shapes overlap because the area where they overlap is where they’ll be joined.
- To join the shapes, you’ll need to utilize the Path Operations feature of Photoshop. This tool is located in the top menu, right next to the Custom Shape Tool.
Note: If you can’t see the Path Operations option, make sure your shape layer is selected and not the background or any other layer.
- Click on the Path Operations dropdown menu and select Merge Shape Components. You’ll see your shapes join immediately.
Conclusion
That’s it! You’ve now learned how to join shapes in Photoshop. By merging shapes, you can create more complex designs and make the most out of Photoshop’s shape tools. Keep practicing and exploring other options in the Path Operations tool to improve your design skills.