Manage path components in Photoshop

Last updated on Oct 9, 2026

Use Path Selection and Direct Selection tools to move, copy, align, and organize vector elements for precise editing.

Path components are individual shapes or segments within a path that you can move, copy, reshape, align, and organize independently without affecting other elements in the same path. These techniques apply to saved paths, work paths, and shapes in shape layers.

Understanding path component management helps you build complex vector artwork, create precise compositions, duplicate elements for patterns, and maintain organized path structures throughout your projects.

Move a path component

Select the path name in the Paths panel to make it visible.

Select the Path Selection tool from the toolbar.

Click the path component you want to move.

Drag the component to its new location.

Note

If you drag a path component so the pointer moves over another open image, the component copies to that image.

Copy a path component

Select the path name in the Paths panel.

Select the Path Selection tool and click the path component you want to copy.

Alt-drag (Windows) or Option-drag (macOS) the selected component to create a copy.

You can also copy components between Photoshop files by dragging a selected component from one image window to another, or by using Edit > Copy and Edit > Paste.

Reshape a path component

Select the path name in the Paths panel.

Select the Direct Selection tool from the toolbar.

Click an anchor point on the path component you want to reshape.

Drag the point or its direction handles to adjust the shape.

Delete a path component

Select the path name in the Paths panel.

Select the Path Selection tool and click the component you want to remove.

Press Backspace (Windows) or Delete (macOS).

Align path components

Select the Path Selection tool.

Click the first component, then Shift-click additional components to select multiple items.

Choose an alignment option from the Path Alignment dropdown menu in the options bar to align left edges, centers, right edges, top edges, middle, or bottom edges.

Note

To align shapes on separate layers, use the Move tool instead.

Distribute path components

Select the Path Selection tool.

Select at least three path components by clicking the first, then Shift-clicking additional components.

Choose a distribution option from the Path Arrangement dropdown menu in the options bar to evenly space components.

Change path overlap mode

Select the Path Selection tool and drag a marquee to select the path areas you want to combine.

Choose an option from the Path Operations dropdown menu in the options bar:

Path operation options include Combine Shapes (adds areas together), Subtract From Shape Area (removes the selected area), Intersect Shape Areas (keeps only the overlap), and Exclude Overlapping Shape Areas (removes the overlap).

Merge overlapping components into one

Select the path name in the Paths panel.

Select the Path Selection tool.

Choose Merge Shape Components from the Path Operations dropdown menu in the options bar to combine all overlapping components into a single component.

Show or hide paths

Select View > Show > Target Path to toggle visibility of the selected path.

Alternatively, choose View > Extras to show or hide paths along with guides, grids, and other visual elements.

Duplicate a path

In the Paths panel, select the path you want to duplicate.

Drag the path to the New Path button at the bottom of the panel.

Alt-drag (Windows) or Option-drag (macOS) the path to the New Path button to name it during duplication.

Reorder paths in the Paths panel

In the Paths panel, select the path you want to move.

Drag the path up or down to the desired position.

Tip

You can reorder saved paths, but not Shape, Type, or Vector Mask paths. In Photoshop, you can select and drag multiple paths simultaneously by Shift-clicking or Ctrl-clicking (Windows) or Command-clicking (macOS) to select them.

For detailed information about working with individual path segments and anchor points, see Edit path segments. To learn more about selecting paths and path segments, see Select paths and path segments. For an overview of path concepts and the Paths panel, see Paths in Photoshop.

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