Pen Tool - Making two paths different colours.

[Canna W]

Is there any way I can make 2 paths in the same document, and stroke them so they are different colours? So far every time I stroke my latest path, the old path changes to the new colour as well. (Really, I would like to be able to put each new path on a different layer, or something like that.)

With the attached example, I'd love to be able to stroke each box a different colour.

[Canna W]

Sorry, I forgot to upload the example....

[John Wheeler]

Hi Canna

Various ways to do this.

You have both paths included in the single Work Path. Instead create one path at a time and save each as their own path in the Path panel.

Just select which path you want (and foreground color, stroke tool, etc) when making the stroke to either the same image Layer or do it to two separate image Layers.

Alternately, keep both paths together. Stroke to two separate Layers (each Layer would be their own color as you set) then erase one Path Stroke from one Layer and erase the other Path Stroke from the other Layer. Yields two strokes of different colors.

I am sure there are many other ways including stroking selections instead of Paths yet that is not what you requested. Hope this helps.

[Chain]

To add to what John said, you could also select just the path you want to stroke using the path selectiom tool (black arrow), right-click and choose "stroke subpath" (or click the stroke button in the paths panel). That will only stroke the selected path.

Depending on what you want to do, you might want to use "shape layers" instead of this method. It is simply a Color Fill layer with a vector mask. You can add the stroke using layer styles (see attached image). This allows you to change the shape live without having to remove/reapply the stroke.
Set "Fill" (not "Opacity") to 0% if you just want the stroke without the fill.

[Canna W]

Originally Posted by John Wheeler

Hi Canna

Various ways to do this.

You have both paths included in the single Work Path. Instead create one path at a time and save each as their own path in the Path panel.

Just select which path you want (and foreground color, stroke tool, etc) when making the stroke to either the same image Layer or do it to two separate image Layers.

Alternately, keep both paths together. Stroke to two separate Layers (each Layer would be their own color as you set) then erase one Path Stroke from one Layer and erase the other Path Stroke from the other Layer. Yields two strokes of different colors.

I am sure there are many other ways including stroking selections instead of Paths yet that is not what you requested. Hope this helps.

Hi John,

I was able to follow the first part of your suggestion..... I saved two paths separately, and stroked them - first the one path in one colour, and then the second path in another colour. I hadn't realised you could save paths. That was really helpful.

I am still finding it impossible to use layers in conjunction with paths, so I gave the second method a miss. I am still very much a beginner with paths, so am trying to keep it as simple as possible for the time being. I will tackle the issue of layers when I find I need them. Many thanks for your help!

[Canna W]

Originally Posted by Chain

To add to what John said, you could also select just the path you want to stroke using the path selectiom tool (black arrow), right-click and choose "stroke subpath" (or click the stroke button in the paths panel). That will only stroke the selected path.

Depending on what you want to do, you might want to use "shape layers" instead of this method. It is simply a Color Fill layer with a vector mask. You can add the stroke using layer styles (see attached image). This allows you to change the shape live without having to remove/reapply the stroke.
Set "Fill" (not "Opacity") to 0% if you just want the stroke without the fill.

Hiya Chain,

I tried so hard to follow your instructions, but because I have the brain the size of a pea, I did not get very far.

What you wrote sounded really helpful though, and I am sure it will be useful to me once I have a better idea about using the pen tool. I am bookmarking your comment so I can come back to what you have said. Thank you so much for taking the trouble to comment.

[Canna W]

Hi Chain - it's me again.

More fiddling around....... and this time I wonder if I have changed the settings in a way that I should not have done. Please see attached efforts. One with the Fill setting at 100%, and one with it at 0%. When I first tried it I was getting a stroke effect, but now I am getting nothing.

I would be most grateful for some help.....

[Chain]

You have done it correctly Canna_W! (Even with the lack of detail in my description).

It seems you have accidentally clicked the little eye in front of "Effects" in the layers panel; that turns it on/off (you can see the eye is grey in front of "Stroke" now as a result).

[Canna W]

Originally Posted by Chain

You have done it correctly Canna_W! (Even with the lack of detail in my description).

It seems you have accidentally clicked the little eye in front of "Effects" in the layers panel; that turns it on/off (you can see the eye is grey in front of "Stroke" now as a result).

Thank you very much indeed! I can now see the stroking. I am so pleased to have got it back....