Deselect Path

While the current path is active, you can see its outline in the document window. In Photoshop Elements, you can't hide it by using [Ctrl+H] shortcut (fig. 1).

Furthermore, in some cases PSE doesn't allow you to use the Shape tools (fig. 2).

To fix the problem, you have to deactivate the path as follows:

1. Open the "Paths" dialog.
2. Apply the "Deselect Path" command.

   On the screenshot 1, the author deselects path of the current shape layer's vector mask.

If the path has been saved, later on, you will be able to re-select it in the Paths list.