Is it possible to erase ON path in photoshop CS5?

Question

I have a path and I was wondering if it were possible to erase on along this path. Anyone ever heard of such a thing?

Answer 1

There's quite possibly an easier way but one way that springs to mind is:

• Create a new layer, all white,
• Stroke your path onto this layer, using the black/grey brush/pen of your choice,
• Copy this layer to the clipboard (Ctrl + A, Crtl + C)
• Hide or delete this layer
• Go to the layer you want to erase the path
• Enter Quick Mask Mode
• Paste (Ctrl + V)
• Exit Quick Mask Mode
• Convert the selection to a mask (Layer -> Layer mask -> Reveal Selection)

This method has the advantage that you can selctively edit the layer mask in case you do not want to erase along the entire path.

Note: If you want to erase the background using this method, you'll need to promote it to a layer first (Layer -> New -> Layer from background)