Photoshop Path, Shape layer and Fill pixel

You can create Photoshop Path, Shape Layer or Fill Pixel by using Pen Tool or Shape tool . Both tools are similar but different in the form of object you want to create. Pen tool or Freeform Pen Tool generally uses to create free form object. The Shape tool , that are come with many shape, are use to create predefine geometric object such as rectangular, circle, polygon or line. You can create Path, Shape layer or Filled pixel by select it button at tool option bar.

By default, when you use Pen Tool or Shape tool the shapes are create into independent shape layers, which are a mix of objects and pixels. The vector-based outlines of the shapes print at the maximum resolution of your printer, but the interiors may consist of solid colors, gradients, or pixel-based patterns and images.

Path, Shape Layer and Fill Pixel

	Shape Layer When you create shape with Shape Layer option. The shape will create with in new special fill layer with shape mask. The two components of Shape Layer: the shape, which defines the boundary of the mask, and a fill, which appears only within the shape. The Layers palette displays thumbnails for both the shape and fill. The shape is like a window over the fill. If you delete the shape from the layer, the fill will fills the entire layer. When you create Shape Layer, you also got new path layer in Path palette .
	Path The Path, which has no pixels associated with it and which is independent of the current layer. You can use Path shape to add a stroke, fill to the image or make selection and the path remains separate from those pixels. If you move the path, the stroke or fill stays where it was drawn. You can stroke or fill the same path again and again in different locations and on different layers. Paths are stored in the Paths palette , each path you draw gets added to the Work Path. You can save and name paths to make them easier to select and use.
	Fill Pixels The Fill Pixels option creates a shape color filled with pixels. Once you release the mouse the shape are you’re create will fill foreground color to active layer. You will not have any separate path in Path palette. In fact this option is similar to use Marquee tool and the Fill command or Paint Bucket Tool . It is a good idea to draw new shapes on separate layers. This allows you to more easily select, modify, and move them without disturbing other elements in the image. Please note: that Fill Pixels button will be disable when using pen tool

By default, when you use Pen Tool or Shape tool the shapes are create into independent shape layers, which are a mix of objects and pixels. The vector-based outlines of the shapes print at the maximum resolution of your printer, but the interiors may consist of solid colors, gradients, or pixel-based patterns and images.

The vector-base shape layer has many advantages. The primary objective that we use shape layer is it will not loose any sharpness, no matter how much you scale, rotate or distort it. More over with shape layer you can always change a shape by moving point and control handle as well as scale, rotate or distort specific segments. The shape layer also results in smaller file size than create pixel base object. And lastly with shape layer you can preview clipping mask within Photoshop instead of out-put to page design application.

Note: Like other type of layer, only few application and file format that recognize shape layer. To use the image with shape layer with other not support graphic application you have to flatten it first, though all shape layers will merge in to pixel base layer.

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