You can create and save a Tool Preset for any tool, which will remember settings that you choose for that tool, so you can quickly and easily select different presets and settings for a particular tool. The degree of usefulness of presets varies, depending on the tool.

You can reset any tool back to its default settings by right clicking on the Tool Presets button and select Reset Tool. Take care not to Reset All Tools, unless that is intended.

There are three options;

Shape Create a shape layer and color it.

Path Create path, which you can then easily convert into a selection.

Pixels You can apply the Custom Shape tool directly to the pixels in the selected layer, but this will make changes directly to those pixels, which is destructive editing. Alternatively select the Path option in the Tool Mode, which you can turn into a selection, and then apply it to a Layer Mask. This option is non-destructive and permanently editable.

Choose from different Fill styles: Solid Color, Gradient, Pattern.

You can also select from recently used colors, or from a range of colors, arranged in various groups.

A Stroke in Photoshop is an outline. Strokes can vary in width, color and style.

You can adjust Stroke Width either with the dropdown size box and the slider, or directly, using the Scrubby Slider (highlighted in red).

Move the cursor over the word "Stroke" and watch for the cursor to change to a hand+arrows. Click and drag to the left to decrease, or to the right to increase the width of the stroke. While dragging, you get a live preview, which is very useful.

The Stroke options are highlighted in green. Click to open the panel shown below.

Choose from different Stroke styles: Solid Color, Gradient, Pattern.

You can also select from recently used colors, or from a range of colors, arranged in various groups.

Note that Fill and Stroke panels are identical, but when the panel is opened from Stroke, options will change the Stroke settings.

The Width of the stroke, also sometimes called Weight.

Choose the line style of the stroke and also choose options for Align, Caps and Corners.

Align: Align the Stroke Inside or Outside the path, or Centered on the path.

Caps: Caps are the beginning and end of a line. Choose from Butt, Square or Rounded Caps.

Corners: Where you have corners in a path, choose from Round, Bevel or Miter.

More Options: You can also select the above 3 options in More Options. You can also customize a Dashed Stroke.

This shows width and height and you can adjust them here, if you need a specific size. Otherwise, it's probably best to asjust them by clicking and dragging handles.

You can combine shapes by adding, subtracting, or intersecting.

Shapes interact in the same way as selections interact. For examples of how selections interact, see Selections Interactions.

Select options regarding Alignment and Distribution.

For more information, see Align & Distribute.

When you have multiple elements, you can arrange them by bringing forward, so they are in front of other elements, or sending back, so they are behind other elements.

Bring Shape to Front brings the shape to the front, so it is visible over all other shapes.
Bring Shape Forward brings a shape forwards, so it is in front of the next shape. It may still be behind other shapes.
Send Shape Backward Sends a shape backwards so it is behind other shapes. It may still be in front of other shapes.
Send Shape to Back Sends a shape to the back, so it is behind all other shapes.

Set your preference for the path color and thickness for the visible path, while your work. This does not affect properties of the path such as stroke or fill.

Set other options for the Polygon; Unconstrained, Equilateral (all 3 sides the same length(, Fixed Size, Proportional.

You can also set an option to create the Polygon, as you draw, from the center.

Choose from a wide range of shapes of different subjects, in many different categories. See the How to Use section below, for a full list of categories and many shape examples.

Align vector shapes to the pixel grid.

The Custom Shape Tool has a large number of shapes of many different subjects, that you can quickly and easily add to your image or artwork. You can resize, recolor and edit the custom shapes.

Here is just a short selection from the top of the Shapes dropdown box.

Here is a selection of just trees, leaves and flowers, but many other categories are available.

Select the Custom Shape Tool on the Toolbar. It shares the button with the Custom Shape Tool, so the visible tool will be the last one used.

On the Options bar, click the dropdown Shape button.

As shown above, there are many categories. I have selected Boats and selected the boat highlighted.

Click and drag in your image. Only the path is visible while dragging. On mouse button release you will see the whole shape.

You can create any size you like, with any proportions, but to maintain the original proportions (aspect ratio), press and hold the Shift key while dragging. Some shapes will look OK when distorted, but some won't if distorted too much, such as recognizable shapes like animals.

I have dragged the boat to be shorter and longer than the original.

I have dragged the boat to be shorter and taller than the original

I have pressed the Shift key while dragging, to maintain the original aspect ratio (proportions).

I have created 3 shapes of a duck.

The one on the left is in the original aspect ratio (by holding down the Shift key while dragging.

The one in the middle is taller and narrower than the original.

The one on the right is shorter and wider than the original.

To move the shape, press and hold the Ctrl key, then click on the shape and drag it.

Alternatively you could select either the Path Selection Tool or the Move Tool, which would both also move the shape.

But if you are working on the shapes, it's quicker to press Ctrl as it will save you having to keep switching tools.

As with the other shape tools, while moving, you will only see the path. On release of the mouse button, the stroke and fill will update.

You can completely change the shape, by manipulating the path, the anchor points or the handles.

But be aware you will see a notice (shown in the next step), warning you that the shape will be converted to a path and therefore won't be shape.

When modifying the path of the shape, you will see this notice, reminding you that you will be converting the shape into a path.

Now the object is a path, rather than a shape, I can modify it using the anchor points and handles. For more information on manipulating a path, see the Pen Tool guide.

Select the Direct Selection Tool, to be able to select anchor points and handles.

Here is the modified boat shape, without the path and anchor points visible, for clearer viewing.

Select Extract All and choose a folder to extract to.

In Photoshop, select the Custom Shape Tool, if it is not already selected.

Click on the Shape dropdown button (highlighted in red).

Click on the cog icon (highlighted in green).

Click on Import Shapes.

Navigate to the folder you extracted the file into. Select the .csh file and click OK.

This should add the new shapes to your Shapes dropdown button.

Navigate to the folder you extracted the file into. Select the .csh file and click OK.

This should add the new shapes to your Shapes dropdown button.