# \[UXP/batchPlay\] How to recreate a Live Shape (arrow) on a new layer?
**URL:** https://forums.creativeclouddeveloper.com/t/uxp-batchplay-how-to-recreate-a-live-shape-arrow-on-a-new-layer/11906
**Category:** Photoshop
**Created:** [May 7, 2026, 3:59pm UTC](https://forums.creativeclouddeveloper.com/t/uxp-batchplay-how-to-recreate-a-live-shape-arrow-on-a-new-layer/11906 "2026-05-07T15:59:30Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@dai0116](https://forums.creativeclouddeveloper.com/u/dai0116)
#### Post date: [May 7, 2026, 3:59pm UTC](https://forums.creativeclouddeveloper.com/t/uxp-batchplay-how-to-recreate-a-live-shape-arrow-on-a-new-layer/11906/1 "2026-05-07T15:59:30Z")
## [UXP/batchPlay] How to reproduce a Live Shape (arrow, keyOriginType:9) on a new layer?
Hi everyone,
I’m developing a UXP plugin that saves layer groups as templates and reapplies them to other documents. I’ve hit a wall trying to programmatically reproduce **arrow shapes** (and other non-rectangle/ellipse Live Shapes).
### What I have
I can successfully **read** the arrow layer’s data via batchPlay GET:
- `keyOriginType: 9` (arrow)
- `vectorMask.pathComponents` with valid bézier data (percentUnit coordinates)
- All subpath points, anchors, and control handles
### The problem
I cannot recreate the arrow shape on a new layer. I’ve tried **14 different approaches** over several weeks. Here’s a summary:
**Approach A – `make contentLayer` with path data**
```js
// Tried with pathComponents, pathContents (_obj:"pathContents"),
// and pathContents (_obj:"pathClass")
await batchPlay([{
_obj: "make",
_target: [{ _ref: "contentLayer" }],
using: {
_obj: "contentLayer",
type: { _obj: "solidColorLayer", color: { ... } },
shape: { _obj: "path", pathComponents: [/* arrow data */] }
}
}], {});
```
**Result:** No layer created (silent failure, no error thrown).
**Approach B – Create shape layer → SET vectorMask**
```js
// 1. Create a rectangle shape layer
// 2. Set vectorMask with arrow path data
// 3. Clear keyOriginType with keyOriginType: []
await batchPlay([{
_obj: "set",
_target: [{ _ref: "path", _property: "vectorMask" }],
to: { _obj: "pathClass", pathComponents: [/* arrow data */] }
}], {});
```
**Result:** Layer stays as rectangle. Even though a subsequent GET confirms the arrow path data is stored in vectorMask, PS continues to render the rectangle from `keyOriginType:1`. Clearing `keyOriginType: []` has no visual effect.
**Approach C – Fill layer → vectorMask**
```js
// Tried: addMask vectorMaskRevealAll → set vectorMask,
// set layer vectorMask directly,
// workPath → select → addMask vectorMaskFromCurrentPath
```
**Result:** Always renders as full-canvas fill. The vectorMask SET completes without error but never visually applies.
### What works (but has limitations)
`duplicate` is the **only** method that successfully preserves the arrow shape:
```js
await batchPlay([{
_obj: "duplicate",
_target: [{ _ref: "layer", _enum: "ordinal", _value: "targetEnum" }],
version: 5,
to: { _ref: "document", _id: destDocId }
}], {});
```
This works, but requires keeping the original layer alive somewhere as a “master copy,” which adds complexity to the template system.
### My questions
1. **Is there a correct batchPlay descriptor to create an arrow (or other non-rect/ellipse Live Shape) from scratch?** If anyone has captured the descriptor via Alchemist or Actions panel → “Copy as JavaScript” when manually drawing an arrow, I’d love to see the structure.
2. **Is `keyOriginType` fundamentally read-only for creation purposes?** My testing suggests PS only establishes it during the internal shape-creation flow and ignores external SET attempts.
3. **Is `duplicate` truly the only reliable path?** If so, any tips on controlling placement (parent group, position) after cross-document duplicate?
Any insights from the UXP/batchPlay community would be hugely appreciated. Thanks!
**Environment:** Photoshop 2025, UXP 8.x, macOS
---
### Author:  [@shuji](https://forums.creativeclouddeveloper.com/u/shuji)
#### Post date: [May 9, 2026, 6:12am UTC](https://forums.creativeclouddeveloper.com/t/uxp-batchplay-how-to-recreate-a-live-shape-arrow-on-a-new-layer/11906/2 "2026-05-09T06:12:38Z")
Are you looking for this?
```auto
/*
Create an arrow shape through the custom line shape
*/
async function drawArrow() {
const result = await batchPlay(
[
{
_obj: "make",
_target: [
{
_ref: "contentLayer"
}
],
using: {
_obj: "contentLayer",
type: {
_obj: "solidColorLayer",
color: {
_obj: "RGBColor",
red: 255,
grain: 255,
blue: 255
}
},
shape: {
_obj: "customShape",
name: "矢印 10",// write the arrow shape name
keyOriginType: 9,// custom shape
top: {
_unit: "pixelsUnit",
_value: 665
},
left: {
_unit: "pixelsUnit",
_value: 102
},
bottom: {
_unit: "pixelsUnit",
_value: 807
},
right: {
_unit: "pixelsUnit",
_value: 366
}
},
strokeStyle: {
_obj: "strokeStyle",
strokeStyleVersion: 2,
strokeEnabled: true,
fillEnabled: true,
strokeStyleLineWidth: {
_unit: "pixelsUnit",
_value: 0.22
},
strokeStyleLineDashOffset: {
_unit: "pointsUnit",
_value: 0
},
strokeStyleMiterLimit: 100,
strokeStyleLineCapType: {
_enum: "strokeStyleLineCapType",
_value: "strokeStyleButtCap"
},
strokeStyleLineJoinType: {
_enum: "strokeStyleLineJoinType",
_value: "strokeStyleMiterJoin"
},
strokeStyleLineAlignment: {
_enum: "strokeStyleLineAlignment",
_value: "strokeStyleAlignCenter"
},
strokeStyleScaleLock: false,
strokeStyleStrokeAdjust: false,
strokeStyleLineDashSet: [],
strokeStyleBlendMode: {
_enum: "blendMode",
_value: "normal"
},
strokeStyleOpacity: {
_unit: "percentUnit",
_value: 100
},
strokeStyleContent: {
_obj: "solidColorLayer",
color: {
_obj: "RGBColor",
red: 0,
grain: 0,
blue: 0
}
},
strokeStyleResolution: 72
}
},
layerID: app.activeDocument.activeLayers[0],// create on the current active layer
_options: {
dialogOptions: "dontDisplay"
}
}
],
{}
);
console.log(result);
}
```