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Convert a selection to a path

Any selection made with a selection tool can be defined as a path. The Make Work Path command eliminates any feathering applied to the selection. It can also alter the shape of the selection, depending on the complexity of the path and the tolerance value you choose in the Make Work Path dialog box.

  1. Make the selection, and do one of the following:

    • Click the Make Work Path button  at the bottom of the Paths panel to use the current tolerance setting, without opening the Make Work Path dialog box.

    • Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) the Make Work Path button at the bottom of the Paths panel.

    • Choose Make Work Path from the Paths panel menu.

  2. Enter a Tolerance value or use the default value in the Make Work Path dialog box.

    Tolerance values can range from 0.5 to 10 pixels and determine how sensitive the Make Work Path command is to slight changes in the selection shape. The higher the tolerance value, the fewer the anchor points used to draw the path and the smoother the path. If the path is used as a clipping path and you have problems printing the image, use a higher tolerance value. (See Printing image clipping paths.)

  3. Click OK. The path appears at the bottom of the Paths panel.