Changing one 'shape' changes all instances of that shape on the image

[danzoo]

Hi everyone,

Is there any way to draw a shape and have it be a certain color, then copy that shape around and have them be different colors also. But then, change one instance of the shape (resize it, manipulate it etc.) and have all the rest of the instances match that change?

If anyone is familiar with autocad then i guess i'm talking about 'blocks' - one item which is copied about, but changing the original 'block' changes all instances of it on the drawing.

Have access to illustrator also if it can be done there too

thanks for any help.

 

[peta62]

Your first paragraph reminded me on Autocad, I do not think it is possible in Photoshop, I do not think there is any inheriting here.

 

[danzoo]

oh well, didn't think so...thought maybe illustrator would do it though. Seems like such an obvious thing to want to do!

 

[peta62]

It is a simple thing for Autocad, keep in mind Autocad is solely vector and objet oriented, since it is for manufacturing, where is a lot of normalised parts, even in different sizes, so object inheriting and binding is necessity.

On the other hands, Photoshop, although it has changed a lot, started just for photo editing, so bitmaps, no vectors, no repetition. I expect if it continues in trends as designing tool, it may one day add even these features, but it is neither natural nor simple for Photoshop these days.

I would say if you want to put screw into wood, you will use screwdriver and not hammer, since it is a proper tool. Photoshop and Autocad are tools to, they should be used accordingly to their functions.