Best Design Options

I am a big fan of vector art. That’s why I so love Photoshop custom shapes because you can use them as vector graphics in your design. The ability to enlarge vectors without losing crispness or sharpness makes them incredibly useful to every designer.

But what are Photoshop Custom Shapes? Adobe introduced custom shapes along with Photoshop version 6. With custom shapes, you can do much more with vector graphics than you could before. For example, you can break a shape to use a curve that you like or combine paths of two or more custom shapes to come up with a new shape. But what is more exciting is the ability to use custom shapes created by some generous and talented artists who make their work available to others for free. So even if you can’t draw, as long as you have the ability to arrange your elements in a way that make them nice to look at, then custom shapes becomes even more valuable to you.

INSTALLING PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

Let’s have a basic tutorial first on how to load the custom shapes you have downloaded somewhere in your Adobe Photoshop program. The Photoshop custom shapes pack usually has a file extension .csh (e.g. shapes.csh)

FIRST STEP:
Select the Custom Shape Tool from the toolbar.

SECOND STEP:

Now, go to the Custom Shapes Options Bar and then select the Custom Shape Picker dropdown. Click the arrow on the right side of the picker. From here, we want to “Load Shapes…“.

THIRD STEP:

Once you click this, a browser will open then locate or select the directory where you saved your custom shapes to. Once you found the CSH file, clik OK.  Your new shapes will be available in the Shape Picker afterwards.

Now you’re ready to use custom shapes… Have fun downloading some useful shapes below.

1)  Photoshop Custom Shapes-Edgy Frames Set #1
Source: Graphics Soft About
Description: These custom shapes will work in Photoshop CS and higher and Photoshop Elements 4 and higher. They may work in older versions as well, but have not been tested. Visit the links below for installation and usage instructions.
Terms of Use: You are free to use any of the files here for personal or commercial designs, either in print or on the Web, excluding items for resale. You may not give away, sell, or redistribute the files in any way.

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

2) Photoshop Custom Shapes-Edgy Frames Set #3
Source: Graphics Soft About
Description: This is the second set of frame custom shapes for Photoshop from Graphic Soft. Like the first set, these shapes also  work in Photoshop CS and higher and Photoshop Elements 4 and higher. You may also download the other seven sets that can be downloaded from Graphics Soft for free. The links can be found in the download link provided below.
Terms of Use: You are free to use any of the files here for personal or commercial designs, either in print or on the Web, excluding items for resale. You may not give away, sell, or redistribute the files in any way.

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

3) Photoshop Custom Shapes-Frame and Borders (3 Sets)
Source: Graphics Soft About
Description: These free custom shapes by Shelby Kate Schmitz can be used in Photoshop 7 and up and Photoshop Elements 2 and up. They may work in Photoshop 6, but have not been tested in this version. Terms of Use: Free Photoshop presets by Shelby Kate Schmitz are for personal or commercial use within designs. Redistribution or sale of presets individually or within kits or collections is not allowed.

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

4) Photoshop Custom Shapes-Foliages
Source: Dezignus
Description: This custom shapes set includes all common types of flourishes, foliage and swirly curls that you can use for creating floral ornaments. Draw, duplicate, rotate, scale or do whatever you can imagine with these shapes. With these wide variety of elements, you can easily create your unique design. Have Fun!
Terms of Use: Free for all.

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

5) Photoshop Custom Shapes-Paisleys
Author: Bean Slayer
Description: A set of Photoshop custom shapes for Photoshop 7, CS, CS2 and probably CS3 as well. The preview does include all the shapes in this set.
Terms of Use: You may use these for personal and commercial application such as scrapbooks, collage, and design. You may not create your own shapes or brushes from these, and may not resell these shapes.

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

6) Photoshop Custom Shapes-150 Ornate Designs
Source: Graphics Soft About
Description: These free ornate custom shapes by Shelby Kate Schmitz can be used in Photoshop 7 and up and Photoshop Elements 2 and up (Mac or PC). The examples shown below are just a small portion of the full set.
Terms of Use: Free Photoshop presets by Shelby Kate Schmitz are for personal or commercial use within designs. Redistribution or sale of presets individually or within kits or collections is not allowed.

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

7) Photoshop Custom Shapes-Sunbursts
Source: Back Flip 540
Description: This custom shapes set includes 30 sunburst shapes that you can use as Adobe Photoshop custom shapes.
Terms of Use: Completely free to use, with no restrictions.

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

Photoshop Custom Shapes-Heraldic Shapes
Source: PS Hero
Description: This set includes 63 heraldic shapes that you can use as custom shapes in Photoshop. A CSH file can be downloaded from the link provided below.
Terms of Use:No licensing stipulations were listed on both the source page at DeviantArt and PS Hero. Enjoy the shapes.

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

9) Photoshop Custom Shapes-Heraldic Animals
Source: All Silhouettes
Description: These vector silhouettes converted into Photoshop custom shapes  were taken from free font SLMytholSil. It include all kinds of heraldic animals such as dragons, lions, horses, unicorns, griffins, Pegasus, centaur  and other mythological creatures.
Terms of Use: These shapes are free for personal, non-commercial use only.

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

10) Photoshop Custom Shapes-Tribal Tattoos
Source: Dezignus
Description: There are four 4 excellent set of tribal tattoos containing of a total of 51 tattoos packaged as Photoshop custom shapes.
Terms of Use: You are free to use any of the files here for personal or commercial designs.

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

11) Photoshop Custom Shapes-Horses
Author: Cestrelle
Description: This set contains 15 horse shapes in CSH or Photoshop custom shape format. This set was created using Adobe Photoshop 7.
Terms of Use: For personal use only

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

12) Photoshop Custom Shapes-Zebras
Author: Cestrelle
Description: This set contains 15 horse shapes in CSH or Photoshop custom shape format. This set was created using Adobe Photoshop 7.
Terms of Use: For personal use only

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

13) Photoshop Custom Shapes-Grunge Vectors
Source: Adam Wood House
Description: This collection includes a total of 139 grunge vector or Photoshop custom shapes for Photoshop CS, CS2 and CS3 only.
Terms of Use: Free

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

14) Photoshop Custom Shapes-Arabeski
Author: Limoli
Description: This set contains vector foliage in Photoshop Custom Shapes (CSH) format.
Terms of Use: Download and use for free.

DOWNLOAD (no longer available)

15) Photoshop Custom Shapes-Trees
Author: Mutato Nomine
Description: This set includes 17 very detailed shapes of trees in Photoshop Custom Shapes (CSH) format.  A sample artwork to demonstrate some uses of these shapes is shown in the preview below.
Terms of Use: Not specified. I think it’s free, anyway. Check out with the author just to be sure.

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

16) Photoshop Custom Shapes-Dead Trees
Author: The Super
Description: This set is composed of 24 silhouettes of dead trees packed as CSH or Photoshop custom shapes.
Terms of Use: Free for Deviantart members only. Not for resale or distribution.

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

17) Photoshop Custom Shapes: Live Trees
Author: The Super
Description: This second set of trees is composed of 24 silhouettes of live trees packed as CSH or Photoshop custom shapes.
Terms of Use: Free for Deviantart members only. Not for resale or distribution.

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

18) Photoshop Custom Shapes: Palm Trees
Author: Mel Brushes
Description: This set includes 6 tropical flavored palm trees in Photoshop Custom Shapes (CSH) format.
Terms of Use: Free for personal use, commercial license available on request.

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

19) Photoshop Custom Shapes: Sexy Girls
Source: Dezignus
Description: This set includes 36 silhouettes of sexy girls in Photoshop Custom Shapes (CSH) format
Terms of Use: Free for all.

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

20) Photoshop Custom Shapes: Business Ladies
Source: Dezignus
Description: This set includes 12 silhouettes of businesswomen in Photoshop Custom Shapes (CSH) and EPS format
Terms of Use: Free for all.

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

21) Photoshop Custom Shapes-Costumes and Character Shapes
Source: Dezignus
Description: One more interesting set of Photoshop custom shapes – characters from different times and situations. In this set you can find shapes of mags and wizards, superman, cowboy, policemen, clown, priest, tourist, waiter, conductor, princess and even statue of liberty.
Terms of Use:  Free for all

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

22) Photoshop Custom Shapes-Silhouettes of Jumping People
Source: Dezignus
Description: This set includes 104 silhouettes of jumping people in Photoshop Custom Shapes (CSH) format.  Terms of Use: Not specified. I think it’s free, anyway. Check out with the author just to be sure.

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

23) Photoshop Custom Shapes-Circles, Lines and Sunbursts
Source: Dezignus
Description: Circles, lines and sunlights and sunburst design shapes to make your art process more quick And easy. These custom shapes can be used with Photoshop CS and later versions.
Terms of Use: Not specified. I think it’s free, anyway. Check out with the author just to be sure.

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

24) Photoshop Custom Shapes-Aircraft
Author: Luke Roberts
Description: This set includes 21 aircraft shapes in Photoshop Custom Shapes (CSH) format.
Terms of Use: Some rights reserved. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License.

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES

25) Photoshop Custom Shapes-Circular Designs
Source: Graphics Soft About
Description: This custom shapes set includes an assortment of 30 circular designs. These free custom shapes by Shelby Kate Schmitz can be used in Photoshop 7 and up and Photoshop Elements 2 and up. They may work in Photoshop 6, but have not been tested in this version. You may also download the other five circular sets that are available for download from Graphics Soft for free. The links can be found in the download link provided below.

Terms of Use: Free Photoshop presets by Shelby Kate Schmitz are for personal or commercial use within designs. Redistribution or sale of presets individually or within kits or collections is not allowed.

DOWNLOAD PHOTOSHOP CUSTOM SHAPES