Editing shapes in Photoshop Elements

Use the Shape Selection tool to select shapes with one click. If you convert a shape into a bitmap element by simplifying the shape layer, the Shape Selection tool will no longer select the shape (use the Move tool instead).

If a layer contains multiple shapes, you can reposition all the shapes together using the Move tool. However, if you want to reposition a specific shape in a layer, you must use the Shape Selection tool.

Use the Shape Selection tool

to select shapes:

To select the shape, click it.

To move the shape, drag it to a new location.

Select the Shape Selection tool

, and then select the Show Bounding Box option.

Do one of the following:

Click the shape you want to transform, and then drag an anchor to transform the shape.
Select the shape you want to transform, choose Image > Transform Shape, and then choose a transformation command.

In the Expert mode, double-click the thumbnail of the shape layer in the Layers panel.

Select a new color and click OK.

Note:

If the color of a shape doesn’t change when you pick a new color, check to see if the layer has a layer style (represented by a style icon in the Layers panel). Some layer styles override the base color of a shape.

You can apply effects—such as drop shadows and bevels—to shapes quickly and easily using layer styles. Keep in mind that a layer style is applied to all shapes in a layer. For example, if you apply a drop shadow style to a layer that contains multiple shapes, all of the shapes will display a drop shadow.