Free download brush bubble photoshop cs3

Graphics • ResourcesAndrian Valeanu • March 24, • 22 minutes READ

Free custom shapes are one of the many helpful utensils that come with Adobe Photoshop, the most popular graphics editor. Along with brushes, they help artists– both professionals and amateurs – to bring into life true masterpieces.

By default, Photoshop has a bunch of free custom shapes: arrows, bulb, heart, envelope, scissors, bubble chat, and some others. They prove to be quite effective. However, as your artworks getting more sophisticated, you may find yourself in need of more than just that basic range.

It is here where you can get help from fellow artists who have generously shared with the community their Photoshop shapes. Before moving to the collection of free custom shapes, let’s find out how to install them, work with them and even create your own preset to fit your specific needs.

Pros of Using Photoshop Shapes

Photoshop shapes are vector-based objects. Therefore, the first and foremost advantage of using free custom shapes lies in their scalability. Since they are described using mathematical definitions, they can be easily enlarged and reduced in size without distortion and loss in quality. In the world where you have to deal with all sorts of screens, and the artwork should look equally good on a tiny cell phone and large TV monitor, it is a crucial quality.

Some other pros for using free Photoshop shapes are:

They are re-usable. You can use them from project to project without creating everything from scratch. Just save them to the panel and add them wherever you want in any work. In addition, you can use them in various versions since the majority of them are cross-compatible. This helps to save lots of precious time.

They speed up the workflow since you do not need to create them from scratch repeatedly.

They work great with other tools. You can combine vector shapes with other instruments like vector masks to create intricate decorations.

They provide a perfect base to build on. In essence, they are mere silhouettes. However, namely, this quality of being black-and-white and schematic makes them universal tools. They serve as a solid foundation that can easily underlie something more complex, and intricate.

Custom Shapes Preset Manager

How to Create a Custom Shape – The Basic Routine

Creating your own Photoshop shape from scratch is not rocket science. Anyone can do this even without design skills. The routine consists of two basic stages:

• Create a silhouette.
• Define the object as a custom shape.

Let’s break these steps down so that you can easily follow them.

1. Create a silhouette

First, you need to create a silhouette of the future Photoshop shape.

If you have a natural talent for drawing, then you can create an outline by hand. Just take your tablet and do a sketch.

For the rest of us who do not have any design skills, this step implies a precise tracing around an object in a picture and the employment of professional tools available in the program. So what to do?

• Find the image that depicts an object that you want to turn into a custom shape.
• Open it in Adobe Photoshop.
• Create a layer for future custom shape. Make it active.
• Select the Pen Tool.
• In the Options Bar, click on the left icon, aka “Shape Layer” option, to use Pen Tool for drawing shapes.
• Start tracing around the object. Click to add anchor points. To create curves or straight paths, drag out the direction points. To avoid blocking the object from view with filling, you need to lower the opacity of the Shape Layer. Go to Layers Palette, ensure that the custom shape layer is selected, and lower the opacity. Set it to 50 to make the object visible through the shape.
• If you need to add details inside the shape, you can subtract them by using the Select tool. If you need to add more intricate details, you may use Pen Tool to draw paths and then remove areas.

Note, alternatively instead of Pen Tool you may use the Magic Wand Tool. The routine is relatively quick and straightforward.

• Select the tool.
• Set the tolerance to
• Click on the area that you want to convert into Photoshop shape.
• Go to Select-> Inverse and delete the background and everything else.
• Right-click on the object to open the fly-out menu.
• Find “Make Work Path” and choose it.
• Set the tolerance to minimal.

However, be careful; this method is not very precise.

Finally, yet importantly, you can use Shape Tools to generate the object as well. You need to mix and match rectangles, ellipses, circles, and other polygons to generate a figure. However, it is often tricky. Therefore, use this method only if it proves to be more effective and handier than one that involves the Pen Tool or Magic Wand Tool.

Magic Wand Tool

2. Turn your Freshly-baked shape into a custom shape

When you are satisfied with the silhouette, the time has come to define it as a Photoshop shape. To do this, follow these two basic steps:

• Choose the layer with the shape. Make sure the preview thumbnail is selected.
• Go to the top menu and select “Edit.” In the dropdown menu, click on “Define Custom Shape.” In the Shape Name Dialog box, set the desired name.

That is all; your free custom shape is ready.

Dialogue Box for Defining Custom Shape

How to Use Custom Shape in Photoshop

To use any Photoshop shape, whether it is made by you or found in other resources, first you need to open the document.

After that, click on the Custom Shape Tool in the Tools palette. For those who are the first-time Photoshop users, it should be mentioned that this utensil looks like a rectangle shape. Do not back down. Click on it to open the fly-out menu. Move the cursor down the list, and in the end, you will find a polygon icon entitled “Custom shape Tool.” That is your guy. Click on it.

Find the desired free custom shape and choose it by clicking on the thumbnail. If you cannot see it there, then it is hidden. To make the Selection Box to show all the options, you need to click on the gear icon located on the right side and choose “All” from the appeared menu.

Click inside the document and start to drag the shape.

For those who need to reposition the shape during the dragging, you need to hold the spacebar and move it to the new position. Release the spacebar and continue dragging the shape until you find it satisfying.

Note, while you are dragging the shape to fit the desired size, it will be outlined. Do not worry. After you release your mouse button, it will become solid. The Adobe Photoshop will use tone set as a Foreground color to fill it.

How to Change Photoshop Shapes

You can easily change the size, color, orientation as well as scale, rotate, flip, skew, and distort the custom shape in Photoshop at any time. All the manipulations are done through basic functionality.

If you need to change the color, you should get back to the Layers panel. Double-click on the left thumbnail in the Shape’s Layer, aka the Color Swatch Thumbnail. This will bring up Photoshop’s Color Picker. Set whatever color you want and push the “Done” button.

If you need to resize the custom shape (whether you want to make it smaller or bigger), you should use a Free Transform Mechanism.

• Make sure the Shape’s Layer in Layers Palette is selected.
• Turn on Photoshop’s Free Transform box. Find it in the Top Menu Bar under the “Edit” menu. Alternatively, you can use shortcuts: for Windows – Ctrl + T and Mac – Command + T.
• After you activate the tool, you will see that your Photoshop shape has transform box and handles. Just click on one of the handles and drag it.

By default, the aspect ratio is locked; it means that you scale your free custom shapes proportionally without any additional manipulations.

However, what if you need to scale them non-proportionally? Then hold the Shift key while you are dragging, and you will easily squish or stretch out the custom shape.

Transform Handles

How to Install Free Custom Shapes in Photoshop

Before installing new free custom shapes in Photoshop, make sure that they are available in a file with .CSH extension. If you have a ZIP package, then unzip it and get the Photoshop shapes in the correct format.

When everything is ready, you can add custom shapes to your collection in Photoshop.

• Select the Custom Shape Tool in the toolbar.
• Go to the Topbar and find the Preset Picker icon. This will activate the Shape Selection Box.
• Click on the gear icon that is in the top right corner. In the fly-out menu, select the “Import Shapes”; it is right on the bottom. Using the dialogue window, upload your new pack of free custom shapes to Photoshop.

That is all. They are ready to go.

Alternatively, you can upload free Photoshop shapes directly to the Photoshop files.

• Find the folder with Photoshop files in your disc.
• Inside it, open the “Presets” folder. It will contain the “Custom Shapes” folder.
• Copy your .CSH file and paste it inside.
• Restart Photoshop.

Preset Manager with Default Custom Shapes

Collection of Free Custom Shapes for Photoshop

Archer Arrows Photoshop Shapes

The freebie is a small collection of fancy objects created by Shapes4Free. The team is famous for high-quality graphical material that can be used in all the latest Photoshop versions; therefore, you do not need to worry about compatibility issues.

This pack includes arrows and hearts made in a beautiful hand-drawn style. Along with traditional long arrows, there are short versions that perfectly blend into modern application interfaces. This is a perfect instrument for creating artworks for St. Valentine’s Day and all other projects with the “Love” theme in mind.

Christmas Tree Custom Shapes

The Web is teeming with numerous free Photoshop shapes so that you can speed up the workflow for various projects. While the previous set is suitable for Cupid-theme artworks, this one was made for all Christmassy projects.

From a simple bare pine tree with a lonely star on the top to the heavily decorated version and an option with a “Merry Christmas” banner, there is a sheer diversity. Even though the package includes only ten objects, nevertheless you will find something special for you without doubt.

Photoshop Frame Shapes Free Download

This amazing set of free frame custom shapes was explicitly created for those who need to make their photos look finished. There are twelve different borders with a highly decorative nature.

Some of them have a traditional style with lots of curls, swirls, and floral details that are applicable to imitating Baroque and Vintage styles. Whereas, others are created with modernism in mind featuring geometric shapes and straight lines. On top of that, some of them have a rectangle shape, while others have a circle shape. This is another compact pack that focuses on diversity.

Free Custom Shapes of Houses for Photoshop

This fantastic pack of free Photoshop shapes of houses has a beautiful Scandinavian feel that separates it from the competition with ease. Although the objects comprised of primitive shapes (mostly rectangles and squares), nevertheless, they still look fancy.

You will find inside 12 house silhouettes with windows, door, roof, and even chimney. The level of detail is pleasantly surprising. You may use them one by one or put together to create a scene where a boxy vibe ties everything together.

More Photoshop Custom Shapes

Kiddy Stuffs

Want to enrich your website dedicated to children, create a youth artwork with a proper look and vibe or simply give your illustration hand-drawn touch, then this set of custom shapes made by hikaridrops will make your day. The package includes 72 elements that cover various funny doodles and sketches. So if you want to add to your design hand-drawn toys or small yet funny drawings just favor the author and download the file.

Red Faction Guerrilla Shapes

Are you addicted to video games? Want to create an artwork that will evoke feelings from popular “shooters”, then try out this package. The nameplate speaks for itself; you will find icons for weapons, targets, missions and so on.

However, before working elements into your project, check to the license since it has 3 important points such as:

• no commercial/corporate use without permission;
• can be used for prints both on and off Deviantart;
• should not be used for artworks that express violence and other illegal stuff.

Ornaments 2

This subtle ornamental set is adopted for various designs that need to convey a delicate and elegant atmosphere. The package includes 77 sleek rosette-inspired shapes that are perfectly compatible with CS3 and CS4. Moreover, this is a sterling addition to the first set by this author that is also marked by this magnificent theme.

Car logos

High-quality graphics of brand logos that can be set in various sizes without loss of quality and sharpness is highly regarded among designers. Whether you are up to creating a t-shirt print or making artwork for sale, these logotypes will enormously contribute to the composition, making it look more powerful and prestigious.

Here, you are able to grab logos of various leading car manufacturers including:

• Volkswagen, BMW, Audi;
• Mazda, Toyota, Honda;
• Ford, Chevrolet, and others.

Pack 4: Abstract Shapes

Nothing can be so exciting as an abstract masterpiece that forces your imagination to run wild. Want to create one? Then you will definitely need some helpful stuff such as well-crafted conceptual shapes. The package comprises:

• 2 magnificent wallpapers to spice up your desktop;
• mini-tutorial for those who are feeling uncomfortable with third-party elements and its utilization in Photoshop;
• 30 vector shapes.

Ornaments

This set of sleek ornamental shapes was inspired by different variations of how a star can look on a paper. The package includes 48 custom shapes that will help to adorn any of your designs, adding a special faint note of delicacy.

Besides, the set has a second version that also includes various decorative round-shaped elements that will help to finish the look of your design, just take a look at number 3 in our list.

Custom Shapes Vegetation

Though the author claims out that the vegetation shapes are roughly made without lots of details and nuances so that it is quite difficult to leverage in small scaled artworks, however, if you feel absolutely comfortable with Photoshop and perfectly aware of how to neaten the edges then this set will look gorgeous used both in small and large sizes. Otherwise, if you are a newbie then just make the most out of it by employing it in the landscaping plan.

As for the license, though the author does not require credits, yet you should be a member of Deviantart in order to put this preset into a work.

Dead Trees

In addition to the previous set, we have included the package that features 24 shapes of different dead tree silhouettes that will add some specific organic vibe to your project. It is well-suited for creating logos, prints and various nature-inspired compositions. However, much like in previous example, before using it take a glance at the license that allows leveraging the set on your projects with several exceptions and requirements.

Isometric Shapes II

Step away from boring plane objects by adding some zest of an offbeat 3d dimension feeling and spicing up your artwork with isometric touch. Though the set includes only abstract forms that are composed of lines, dots and zigzags, yet this vibe of conceptuality, originality and primitiveness will definitely diversify your design.

Straights and Swirls

Want to create some visual paths in order to guide users from one point to another, show a direction for a look by focusing attention on the more important things or just decoratively separate one block from another? Then various lines will be simply irreplaceable, especially when these lines are enlivened by some interesting and unexpected decorative elements such as stars, swirls and blobs as well as smooth and winding lines.

Photoshop Shapes

This small yet very helpful set of woman silhouettes will definitely find its place in your toolkit. Those who regularly create party flyers as well as woman-oriented print material will highly appreciate this well-crafted set. It has 7 various shapes that can be scaled to any desirable size. So if you feel a need for charging up an atmosphere of your project a bit and impregnate it with some fancy girlish vibe then check out this pack.

Code Geass Symbol Set

Are you a fan of bright graphics, vibrant characters, and grotesque and highly imaginative themes, in other words “anime”? Does unique Japan style of cartoon production manage to fascinate you? If yes, then this set of items related to Code Geass, one of the most popular Japanese anime series in late and , will make you feel really happy.

The package includes:

• Photoshop brushes;
• custom shapes;
• 18 different symbols.

90 Photoshop Gears Shapes

Do you have an urge for building a mechanical artwork or creating illustrations with a strong technical atmosphere? Then check out this enormous set of rough shapes and brushes that embraces 90 different gear symbols.

The set is also great for drawing complex backgrounds, technical illustrations and various kind of industrial logos and prints.

Zoom (Magnifier) Photoshop Vector Shapes

As the author claims, the shapes will look great both in large and small sizes, yet the small scaled graphics will gain more benefits. The set ships with:

• zoom in shapes;
• zoom out shapes;
• regular magnifier icons;
• 2 vector formats.

It is ideal for creating such graphics as search fields, search buttons and modules for image viewers, for example a lightbox.

Arrows Photoshop Shapes