Pen tool question in cs3

[ffx800]

when i try to close the path and then select "fill path" the one i closed the path wasn't the one filled with color; instead, it was the background which was filled. also when i try to close the path using the pen tool then use "make selection" the selection was inverted. what's wrong?

[artd]

In the Pen Tool's options bar you'll see four squares. They're named Add to path area, Subtract from path area, Intersect path areas, and Exclude overlapping path areas. The reason you're having a problem with things being reversed is because when you made your path, the "Subtract from path area" option was selected. You should have selected the first box (Add to path area) instead

To correct the current problem try creating a selection from the path (Load path as a selection button) and then invert the selection (Select > Inverse) or use the keyboard shortcut Shift + Ctrl + I (Shift + Cmd + I for a Mac).

Hope this is helpful.