How to Convert a Selection Into a Path in Photoshop

A selection in Adobe Photoshop CS3 can be converted into a path. A selection that has been made with the marquee, lasso or magic wand tool is converted into a path using the "Make Work Path" button in the Paths palette.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Open Adobe Photoshop CS3, and start a new, blank document and add a selection, or open an existing document that contains a selection you want to convert into a path.

2. Choose the "Window" menu at the top of the screen, and click "Paths" to bring up the Paths palette onto the Photoshop desktop. The Paths palette shares a window with the Layers and Channels palettes.

3. Click the selection to make sure that the selection you want to change into a path is active.

4. Hold down the "Alt" key on your keyboard and click the "Make work path from selection" button at the bottom of the Paths palette. It is the fourth button from the left. The "Make Work Path" dialog box will open.

5. Use the "Tolerance" slider in the "Make Work Path" dialog box to set the tolerance for the path. The smaller number you choose, the closer the selection will be to the actual path.

6. Select the "OK" button to close the "Make Work Path" dialog box and return to your Photoshop selection which has now become a path.