How To Make A Trapezoid In Photoshop

If you have ever tried to make a trapezoid using Photoshop, you may have noticed that there is no built-in tool to the software with that shape. So, if you really need a trapezoid in your artwork or design project, what methods can you use?

While there is no specific trapezoid tool in Photoshop, there are other ways to get this shape. Namely, you can create one by using the line tool or the brush tool by freehanding the shape and using guides. You can also use the existing shapes, such as the rectangle tool, or even the polygon tool, to get the same results. 

No matter your method, you are bound to get a decent trapezoid shape, and you can still incorporate this shape into your work. If you are curious about what you need to know to get started, we have all the methods listed in this article! Keep reading for more information on bringing a trapezoid to life while using Adobe Photoshop!

Creating A Trapezoid In Photoshop

Unfortunately, Adobe Photoshop does not include a trapezoid in its repertoire of built-in shapes tools. However, that does not mean creating this shape in Adobe Photoshop is impossible. In fact, there are many different ways that artists and designers work around this missing shape! We are going to take a look at some of these methods in the sections below. 

Using The Line Tool

If you want to go for a simplistic style with your trapezoid, you can use the line tool to create the outline of a trapezoid. 

  1. Launch Adobe Photoshop on your computer. 
  2. Select the Line Tool from the shapes menu in your toolbar.
  3. Now, create the shape of the trapezoid using the line segments, and make sure to connect them at the end to close the shape.
  4. You can use guides or a reference picture to create the perfect trapezoid shape. 

With just a little bit of line work, you can easily create a trapezoid shape that you can use in your projects and artwork!

Using The Rectangle Shape Tool

One of the easiest ways of creating a trapezoid in Photoshop is to start off by using the Rectangle Shape Tool. Here are the steps you need to follow:

  1. In Photoshop, open up a new file.
  2. Select the Rectangle Tool from the toolbar, or use the shortcut U to activate the tool.
  3. Now, click and drag a rectangle shape you like on your canvas. 
  4. Once you have the shape ready, select the path selection tool.
  5. Click on the outline of the rectangle, and you will see that the anchor points will become active. 
  6. Right-click on the selection, and then choose the option ‘Free Transform Path.’
  7. Right-click again, and then choose the option ‘Skew.’
  8. Move the two anchor points at the top to be closer together, ensuring they are at the same angle from the bottom.

You have now made a perfect trapezoid!

Using The Polygon Shape Tool

Another great way of using the existing shapes is to use the polygon shape tool. The default polygon has five sides, so you won’t have to make too much of a change to use it to create a trapezoid. Here’s how you can do this: 

  1. Launch Adobe Photoshop, and then select the Polygon Tool.
  2. Click and drag the Polygon to create the size you are looking for.
  3. Now, select the Path Selection Tool.
  4. Select the outline, and then move your cursor to the topmost anchor point.
  5. Right-click and choose ‘Delete Anchor Point.’

A complete trapezoid will be made!

Freehand Drawing Using The Brush Tool

If you are comfortable with using the brush tool in Photoshop and are confident with your skills, you can also freehand a brand-new trapezoid! All you need to do to make this happen is to use the Brush Tool (the keyboard shortcut is B) and freehand a trapezoid shape. 

One tip when doing this is that you can hold down the Shift key while drawing lines to make sure they are straight. 

Here is a video of someone using this method:

Final Thoughts

It’s not easy to imagine where a trapezoid will come from when you look at the options on Photoshop. However, with a few steps here and there, you will be able to create your own trapezoid in no time! We hope this article was helpful in understanding the many ways that you can incorporate a trapezoid with Photoshop.