The Create Outlines command extracts the outlines for each character, creates shapes from the outlines, and puts the shapes on a new shape layer. You can then use these shapes as you would any other shape.

The new shape layer is created at the top of the layer stacking order. The new layer contains one shape group for each selected character, plus fill and stroke properties that match those of the text.

For characters that consist of compound paths—such as i and e—multiple paths are created and combined with the Merge Paths path operation.

Effects, masks, layer styles, and keyframes and expressions for properties in the text layer’s Transform property group are copied to the new shape layer. The Video switch for the text layer is turned off.

Some font families, such as Webdings, include characters that are graphical images, rather than text. Converting text from these font families can be a good way to get started with simple graphical elements in shape layers.