How to Stroke a Path in Photoshop

Photoshop isn't designed to be a vector design program, although there are ways to create paths. When drawing paths on real estate images, you must add strokes as references or outlines. For this guide, you're going to learn the different ways how to stroke a path in Photoshop.

How to Stroke a Path in Photoshop

To stroke a path, right-click the path, then choose Stroke Path. From the Tool drop-down menu, you can pick either the Pen or Brush tool. Then, adjust the stroke properties in the Options bar depending on the kind of stroke you need.

Paths are valuable features that is easy to learn in Photoshop because you can use them to define a custom shape, mask an object, or get a precise selection. In addition, there are various ways to stroke paths, and you can apply adjustments to customize them.

Stroking a Single Path Using the Pen Tool

A path mainly consists of single or multiple straight or curved segments. Follow these steps to stroke a single path in Photoshop.

1. Press the P key on your keyboard to launch the Pen tool. 
2. Go to the Options bar above the main document window. Set the type to Path.
3. From here, you should see the swatches for setting the Stroke color. You may also use the Color Picker to choose a different color.
4. Return to the main document window. Click and make your first anchor point. Then, drag along the document to form a path. 
5. You can change the line pattern, thickness, and color as you make a path. To do this, press the A key on your keyboard to switch to the Direct Selection tool. Choose your path, then modify the stroke properties in the Options bar.

Paths are perfect for working on irregular objects, and adding a stroke can help you fine-tune the edits better. They will let you add complex freehand shapes to your real estate photo edits, including drawings, icons, and symbols. Once you master the Pen tool, you can easily put a stroke on paths.

Stroking a Path Using the Brush Tool

You can also use the Brush tool to create strokes for paths. However, you'll need to form a work path first. 

Photoshop won't automatically generate work paths as part of a separate layer. Thus, you should also create a new layer to separate the new pixels from the background layer. Creating a new layer ensures you can edit components of your work without disturbing the other elements.

1. Press Ctrl/Command + Shift + N to create a new layer.
2. Go to the Draw section in the toolbox, then click on the Brush tool. For this example, you can use the simple dotted brush.
3. Pick the Path Selection tool, then right-click on the path.
4. Select the Stroke Path from the Options bar.

Stroking Multiple Paths at Once

You don't have to make the paths individually to create multiple paths. Photoshop allows you to make paths and then add strokes at the same time.

1. After creating a path, press the Esc key to finish the path.
2. Click again to form a new one.
3. Go to the Path Selection tool after creating the paths.
4. Click and drag to generate a selection that will surround the paths.

1. Release the cursor to select both paths simultaneously.
2. Right-click either of the paths. Don't click anywhere else because this will deselect the paths.
3. Pick the Stroke Path option. You can modify the settings in the Stroke Path window.
4. You should see every selected path with strokes now.

Stroking a Shape Path

The steps for stroking a shape path are quite similar to the methods mentioned above. However, Photoshop provides a separate layer for a shape path. It also assigns a Fill and Stroke color when creating a vector shape.

With these steps, you gain more control over the appearance of the shape's stroke.

1. Press the P key on your keyboard to launch the Pen tool. 
2. Set the type to Shape from the Options bar's drop-down menu.
3. When drawing a path, you'll notice it reflects the default settings for the shape's Fill and Stroke.
4. Click the Stroke icon in the Options bar to alter the stroke's appearance. From here, you can choose the stroke's color, width, and style.
5. You may also select the stroke line type from the Stroke Options drop-down menu. Here you can pick between a regular, dashed, or dotted line.
6. Set the alignment or where you want the stroke to sit on the shape. Wait for the stroke to change as you modify the settings.

Troubleshooting Stroke Path Settings

When you go to the Stroke Path window and click on the Tool drop-down, you'll see various tools for stroking a path in Photoshop. Every tool will have a different effect, although the Pen and Brush tools are the best ones.

Aside from that, you may encounter instances where you need to adjust different settings before getting the correct stroke for a path.

Setting the Foreground Color

The stroke's color will match the active background color while you're working on the path. With that said, you should choose the foreground color before you stroke the path if you prefer a certain color.

To do this, click the foreground icon to launch the Color Picker window. After that, select your preferred color for the stroke, and click OK to exit.

Fixing the Simulate Pressure

If you're struggling with using the Brush tool, you may need to fix the Simulate Pressure box. This box shows any brush with the appearance of various pressures applied. For instance, Hard Round and Soft Round Pressure brushes.

After adjusting the Brush tool settings for making the stroke, check the Simulate Pressure button to give variety to the stroke. Keep in mind that Brush tools are pixel-based. For this reason, you'll need to use other Photoshop editing tools to change the stroke's properties after applying it.

Brushes with simulated pressure will result in a heavier stroke in the center and thinner at the edges. Imagine that you're applying more pressure in the center.

Modifying Paths

Press the A key to launch the Path Selection tool to transform, move, rotate, and resize your paths before applying a stroke. After clicking on the path you want to alter, drag the anchor points and handles to modify the path's shape.

Hold down the Shift key while clicking on the paths if you need to select multiple paths. Then, go to the Options bar to modify the path's alignment and distribution.

Filling Paths With Patterns, Colors, and Gradients

You can also fill the area enclosed by a path. To do this, press the A key to open the Path Selection tool. Next, select the path you want to fill with color, gradient, or pattern.

Head to the Paths panel, then click on the Fill Path button. From the dialog box, adjust the Mode, Opacity, and Blending options.

Related Questions

Conclusion

You can use the Pen and Brush tools to stroke a path in Photoshop. Whether you need a single path, multiple paths, or a shape path, you can adjust the stroke's settings to control your selections better. With these techniques, you'll have more precise editing in your real estate photos.