Howto make shapes do what i want

[Woltan]

Hey folks,
i just started working with photoshop C2 and it really is a great tool. However, there is one little thing that I am not getting the hang of: Shapes, and along with it, paths!
How about i just tell you what i wanna do, and then maybe one of you could gimme a link to a tutorial or a few hints.
I want to create unique paths, and i think i should do it with shapes. (If this doesnt make any sense, please lemme know) For example: I want to start with a horizonal line which then goes into an arc of a circle for lets sey 120° followed by an other line and another arc. Then I would like to save this as a shape and fill it with color, text or whatever
I hope you could follow me here,
thx for your help in advance
regards Woltan

[pigbait75]

I'm not exactly sure what you mean but if I'm thinkin what your thinkin just use the pen tool.

[tombothetominator]

Hmmm... from what it sounds like, i think that using the pen tool will be your best bet for sure. After you create your shape (make sure to close it by clicking on your first anchor point with the pen tool) make sure that you have that path selected (in the paths pallette). From here you can do one of two things:
1. If you are only going to use this shape once, then right click on the path, and say 'make selection', then plug in the amount of feather, and from here do whatever you want with it (fill it, gradient, use it to mask out another layer... ect)
2. If you want to use this shape in lots of different images (like your signature that you add to finished pieces) click on the edit menu, and select 'define custom shape'. Then name the shape. Now when you go to the custom shape tool, there is your new shape all the way at the bottom. Woohoo!

Hope that helps.