Photoshop Lesson:
Shapes Tool Design.

For Teachers.Read this first.
Below is a simple design using the various shapes.

Below is a more intentional design of my TV and shelf using various shapes,colors and layers.

NOTE: Each change of color requires a new layer.

Let's Begin -- Open photoshop.

1. Create a file. In the upper left corner, move the cursor to File. Press the mouse button until the drop down menu appears and select New.

A window appears as seen in the picture below.

In name, call it Shapes Design. Make the width 400 pixels and the height 400 pixels. Under contents, select the background you wish - white, color, or transparent. The transparent background shows a checkerboard but will be transparent when used on a web page. I selected the color of my walls for background color in the second design at the top.

2. Create a new layer. In the menu at the top select Layer, New, Layer.

Give it a name, like rectangle.

Put the cursor over the OK button and click the mouse or press the enter key.

3. Use the rectangle tool.

In the tools window, double click on the color tool.

The top color is the color you will use for the layer. The bottom color (yellow in this instance) is the background color which won't be used in this exercise.

The Color Picker window appears. Use the mouse to select the color of your choice. When you have selected the color, put the cursor over the OK button and press the mouse or press the enter key.

Select the rectangle tool. If the rectangle is not visible, click on the tool with a shape and select the rectangle from the drop down menu.

On your file, click and drag to create a rectangle or two or three.

4. Create a new layer. In the menu at the top select Layer, New, Layer. Give it a name, like rounded rectangle.

5. Use the rounded rectangle tool. In the tools window, click on the color picker and select a new color of your choice. Next, click the rectangle tool and select the Rounded Rectangle Tool from the drop down menu.

On the menu at the top is the option to chose the radius. On your file, click and drag to create a rounded rectangle or two or three.

6. Create a new layer. In the menu at the top select Layer, New, Layer. Give it a name, like ellipse.

7. Use the ellipse tool. In the tools window, click on the color picker and select a new color of your choice. Next, click the rounded rectangle tool and select the Ellipse Tool from the drop down menu. On your file, click and drag to create an ellipseor two or three. If you wish to create a perfect circle, hold down the shift key while dragging.

8. Create a new layer. In the menu at the top select Layer, New, Layer. Give it a name, like polygon.

9. Use the polygon tool. In the tools window, click on the color picker and select a new color of your choice. Next, click the ellipse tool and select the Polygon Tool from the drop down menu. On the menu at the top is the option to chose the number of sides. On your file, click and drag to create a polygon or two or three.

10. Create a new layer. In the menu at the top select Layer, New, Layer. Give it a name, like line.

11. Use the line tool. In the tools window, click on the color picker and select a new color of your choice. Next, click the polygon tool and select the Line Tool from the drop down menu. On the menu at the top is the option to chose the Weight. On your file, click and drag to create a line or two or three.

12. Create a new layer. In the menu at the top select Layer, New, Layer. Give it a name, like Custom Shape.

13. Use the Custom Shape Tool. In the tools window, click on the color picker and select a new color of your choice. Next, click the Line Tool and select the Custom Shape Tool from the drop down menu. On the menu at the top is the option to chose the shape. On your file, click and drag to create a custom shape or two or three.

14. Save you design. File. Save As. Call it Shapes Design.

15. Put it all together. After completing your picture, create an html page, a dreamweaver page, a front page, a word document or any other writing media you wish. Insert your image and write about the picture. Include mathematical terms to demonstrate your understand of various shapes and their properties. Here is an example.

Check out Students' work.