3 Replies Latest reply: Jul 2, 2012 11:47 AM by Noel Carboni RSS

    feature request : color fill vector mask thumbnails in layers panel

    MacWright Community Member

      I find that the color fill vector mask previews within the layers panel are not as helpful as they were in CS5. Having the vector path along side the color swatch worked better.

        • 1. Re: feature request : color fill vector mask thumbnails in layers panel
          Noel Carboni Community Member

          You should know that others have requested this, starting with the public beta.  I happen to agree with you on this, showing the color and shape separately was more useful.  But it must have been difficult for new users to understand or something.

           

          There's a known bug that causes the shape icon to be hidden sometimes behind the little overlay.  Adobe is looking into fixing that, and with some luck in an update we'll see the shapes become more visible, but of course this doesn't help with the shape of things like thin lines that you can't see at that scale, and complex coloring (e.g., gradient fills) doesn't show at all.

           

          It would be great if they'd offer an option to display an additional color icon - if not in the Layers panel then in the Properties panel!

           

          Oh, and I suppose it should be pointed out that fill layers with PIxel masks (vs. shapes, which are fill layers with vector masks) still look the old way.  I don't know whose idea this was, but it seems a little half-baked.

           

          Unfortunately, Adobe does not have a habit of changing functionality in any significant way after release.  I think we're stuck with what we have, save for maybe that bug fix I mentioned.

           

          -Noel

          • 2. Re: feature request : color fill vector mask thumbnails in layers panel
            MacWright Community Member

            thanks noel

             

            display all vector masks the same way... seems simple.

             

            Within the beta discussion was there a rationale that was discussed, or just a rogue UI event?

            • 3. Re: feature request : color fill vector mask thumbnails in layers panel
              Noel Carboni Community Member

              There may have been some depth to the discussion, in more than one thread, but I've slept since then.    Clearly it's a new "look and feel" created by Adobe.  They describe it in the Photoshop documentation as:

               

              Drawing

               

              Vector layers - The Line and Shape tools now create fully vector-based objects.  Apply strokes and fills using the options bar.  Stroke objects with dashed lines and other designs.  Fill objects with preset or user-defined gradients, colors, and patterns.

               

              To later revise stroke and fill settings, simply seleect the object layer, and then select  the Path Selection or Direct Selection tool.  To reduce anti-aliased edges, ensuring that vector objects look as sharp as possible, select Align Edges in the options bar.

               

              You can search through the beta forum (now read-only)...

              http://forums.adobe.com/community/labs/photoshopcs6?view=discussions

               

              -Noel