Table of Contents
You will be provided with all of the information that you require in order how to Make an Arrow in Photoshop in the following tutorial. If you don’t have the time to learn how to Make an Arrow in Photoshop, you can always try Envato Elements. There, you can find plenty of arrow brushes that can be used to create arrows in Photoshop with just a click of the mouse. If you don’t have the time to learn how to make an arrow in Photoshop, you can always try Envato Elements. Arrows are valuable graphic resources.
You can use them for many purposes, such as to indicate things in manuals and decorate cards. To our good fortune, learning how to make an arrow in Photoshop is a simple and speedy process. After that, pick the Custom Shape Tool from the palette of available tools. Next, from the Shape drop-down menu’s selection of available shapes, select the one you want to work with. In the final step, you will draw the shape on your new layer by clicking and dragging.
In Photoshop, creating an arrow requires only a few clicks of the mouse. But if you prefer maximum customization, you can create your own arrows from scratch. In this article, you will, thankfully, learn how to Make an Arrow in Photoshop. In addition, We have made available to you for download a free pack that contains hundreds of arrows in case you just need a bunch of new arrows without going to the trouble of creating them yourself.
What is an arrow in Photoshop?
An arrow is a vector-based shape that can be used in Photoshop to indicate direction, point to specific elements, or add visual interest to a composition. In addition to these uses, arrows can also be used to add visual interest to a composition. A variety of tools and methods, such as the Brush Tool, the Custom Shape Tool, and the Line Tool, can be utilised in the production of arrows. They can be customized with different arrowhead styles, line weights, and colors to suit various design needs. The Custom Shape Tool contains several pre-installed custom shapes, including arrows. If you are working with an older version of Photoshop, you can skip ahead to the following section where you will learn how to make use of arrows like these.
How to Make an Arrow in Photoshop

- Add a new layer in Photoshop. First, open Photoshop and add a new layer. Get to the “Layers” panel and click the “New Layer” button at the bottom of the panel to do this. You can also press “Ctrl + Shift + N” on Windows or “Command + Shift + N” on Mac.
- Open the Shapes Tool. Now that the new layer is set up, you can use the Shapes tool. Click on the “Windows” menu at the top of the screen and then pick “Shapes” from the list that appears. This will bring up the “Shapes” window.
- Pick out an arrow shape. The “Legacy Shapes” button is in the upper right corner of the “Shapes” panel. If it’s not there, click it. Pick “All Legacy Default Shapes” from the list. For Photoshop versions 2019 and up, this option will let you use the arrow shape tool.
- After you pick this option, you should see a bunch of shapes, such as the arrow shape. If you click on the “arrow” tab, you can see a list of arrow options. Pick the arrow that works best for your project.
- Draw the line. Now that the arrow is chosen, you can draw it on the canvas. Pick “Shape” from the menu at the top of the screen, then click and drag on the canvas to make the arrow. Using the tools in the toolbar, you can change the arrow’s size, colour, and stroke width as needed.
- Change the Arrow. The “Direct Selection” tool is in the toolbar and can be used to change the arrow. When this tool is chosen, click on the arrow to see its anchor points. After that, you can move these points to change how the arrow looks.
- Keep the Arrow. You can save your arrow as a custom shape for later use after you are done making it and editing it. To do this, click on the arrow and then on “Edit” at the top of the screen. In the drop-down menu, choose “Define Custom Shape.” Put a name on your arrow and click “OK” to save it as a unique shape.
How to Draw an Arrow in Photoshop
Using the Line Tool
- Select the Line Tool from the toolbar.
- Click and hold down the mouse button where you want the arrow to start.
- Drag the mouse to where you want the arrow to end.
- Release the mouse button.
- To add arrowheads to the line, click the “Arrowheads” button in the Options bar.
- Choose the desired arrowhead style from the drop-down menu.
Method 2: Using the Custom Shape Tool
- Select the Custom Shape Tool from the toolbar.
- Click the “Shape” drop-down menu in the Options bar.
- Select the desired arrow shape from the drop-down menu.
- Click and drag the mouse to draw the arrow.
- To resize the arrow, hold down the Shift key while dragging the mouse.
- To rotate the arrow, hold down the Alt key (Option key on a Mac) while dragging the mouse.
- To change the color of the arrow, click the “Fill” color picker in the Options bar.
- Select the desired color from the color picker.
Why use arrows in Photoshop?
- Annotation: Arrows can be used to point out specific elements in an image or to draw attention to important details. They are often used in tutorials, presentations, or when providing feedback on a design.
- Navigation: Arrows can serve as visual cues to guide the viewer’s eye through an image, helping them follow a particular path or sequence of elements.
- Directional Markers: Arrows can indicate movement or direction, such as indicating the flow of a process or the direction of movement in a design.
- Callouts: Arrows can be used as callout shapes to highlight and label certain parts of an image, making it easier for viewers to understand the context.
- UI/UX Design: In user interface and user experience design, arrows can be used to indicate interactive elements or to show how a user should navigate through a software application or website.
- Graphic Design: Arrows can be integrated into graphic design to create visually appealing compositions, add dynamic elements, or emphasize design concepts.
- Creative Expression: Sometimes, arrows are used purely for artistic or creative expression, adding a unique and decorative element to a design.
Required Tools and Software
Tool/Software | Purpose |
---|---|
Adobe Photoshop | Graphics editing software for creating and manipulating images. |
Computer (Windows/Mac) | Hardware platform to run Adobe Photoshop. |
Mouse or Graphics Tablet | Input device for precise cursor control and drawing. |
Monitor | Display to view and edit images in Photoshop. |
Conclusion
While Photoshop may be thought of as a way to edit existing images, it also has a lot of tools that allow you to create images from scratch, or to add things to your pictures. This means that you can learn how to draw an arrow in Photoshop. Pictures might be worth a thousand words, but sometimes people need help figuring out what is important about one of those pictures. If you spend a lot of time creating images or editing screenshots that are intended to show someone how to do something, then you have certainly encountered a situation where you needed to highlight an element in a picture.
Questions and Answers
In Photoshop, all of the shape tools are in the toolbar, grouped together in one place. The Rectangle Tool is the one that you can see by default. The Rectangle Tool’s icon in the list of tools. If you click and hold on the Rectangle Tool icon, a fly-out menu will appear that shows you the other shape tools that are hidden behind it.
Chevron is shaped like an upside-down V, with each side meeting at a single point. This makes a smooth zigzag pattern that is popular for backsplashes, bathroom tiles, and bedding.
Click on the Custom Shape tool at the top of the window. Then, open the drop-down menu to the right of Shape to see a list of pre-made arrow shapes. To see more choices, click the gear icon in the upper right corner of the panel and choose “All.” This will show you all the shapes you can use.