Moving, reshaping, copying, and deleting path components

You can reposition a path component (including a shape in a shape layer) anywhere within an image. You can copy components within an image or between two Photoshop images. Using the Path Selection tool, you can merge overlapping components into a single component. All vector objects, whether they are described by a saved path, a work path, or a vector mask, can be moved, reshaped, copied, or deleted.

You can also use the Copy and Paste commands to duplicate vector objects between a Photoshop image and an image in another application, such as Adobe Illustrator.

To move a path or path component:

1. Select the path name in the Paths palette, and use the Path Selection tool to select the path in the image. To select multiple path components, Shift-click each additional path component to add it to the selection.

2. Drag the path to its new location. If you move any part of a path beyond the canvas boundaries, the hidden part of the path is still available.

Dragging a path to a new location

Note: If you drag a path so that the move pointer is over another open image, the path will be copied to that image.

To reshape a path component:

1. Select the path name in the Paths palette, and use the Direct Selection tool to select an anchor point in the path.

2. Drag the point or its handles to a new location. (See Adding, deleting, and converting anchor points.)

To merge overlapping path components:

1. Select the path name in the Paths palette, and select the Path Selection tool .

2. Click Combine in the options bar to create a single component from all overlapping components.