Photoshop Q&A Thread

[Scooby3x1y]

Got it, thanks!! It looks awesome!

Keith

Keith,

I'm so excited, you're my first follower!

Probably not much to look at

 

[Scooby3x1y]

How do I make the letters clear, then place images in? Background 1st, then text, then images?

 

[Maize&Blue]

So excited to find this thread!! I have PS Elements. I've had it for over a year, & I'm just now attempting to do more than basic photo edits. I managed to add DISigns together to make my stroller tags & erase & add in my own text to a few.

Glad to have you aboard. Feel free to ask any questions and/or post images of your work!
Keith

How do I make the letters clear, then place images in? Background 1st, then text, then images?

I'm going to assume you are wanting to make name fill designs?

You'll want to make your name as large as possible first. I usually make mine 11"x7" or there about. Then I paste my background image on top in the name. After that is done, create a clipping mask with the background image and VOILA, you have now filled your name.

Just a note on your background image. Try to use large background/wallpapers. The larger the better. They give you the best, clearest name. You can always shrink the background to fit the image.

Thanks
Keith

 

[Scooby3x1y]

How do you make letters or objects glow, like there is a light reflected on it? Is it emboss? I can't figure it out, it really can add a nice touch.

Thanks!

 

[Dom13]

Before I even realized there was such a thing as a clipping mask (great feature!) I made my name fills by filling the entire image with white, adding the black text, merging the two layers and then using the Magic Eraser (right click on the eraser and use the one with the star on it) I erased the text. This leaves a white "stencil" in which I could put whatever image(s) I want behind. If you want a border on the text simply add the border before you merge the two layers. If you want a black border make the letters red or some other distinct color.

There is often more than one way to accomplish the same thing in PSE. For example: instead of using the Magic Eraser above I could use the Magic Wand Selection Tool to select the text and then just press delete.

If you haven't checked out www.elementsvillage.com yet you should. There is a TON of advice over there about accomplishing things with PSE. It's a little heavier on the photo editing end but there is a lot about graphics too. The forum is full of wonderful, friendly people that are always willing to share their knowledge with others.

 

[Maize&Blue]

How do you make letters or objects glow, like there is a light reflected on it? Is it emboss? I can't figure it out, it really can add a nice touch.

Thanks!

What I'm going to assume is that you are want to change this
[URL=http://s677.photobucket.com/albums/vv135/MaizeBlue/Designs/ZzzOdds%20and%20Ends/?action=view&current=Mickey.jpg][/URL]
into this...
[URL=http://s677.photobucket.com/albums/vv135/MaizeBlue/Designs/ZzzOdds%20and%20Ends/?action=view&current=Mickey1.jpg][/URL]

It is really quite simple. If you go to your layers panel and double click Just to the right of your text but not directly on it. It will open up another window called "layer styles". Find "Bevel and Emboss" and click it. A drop down window will open up with a couple more options, contour and texture. click contour. When contour is clicked you will see a window open up and in it you will see "elements" with a with a box that says contour to the left. click on the little arrow next to the box, it will open up another window with many contours in it. I usually use half round or rounded steps, you can use what ever contour you like the best. Play with all of them to find out what they do. Once you have the contour selected, play with the "range", which is the slider under the contours box. Moving it to the left will make your edges more squared, and moving it to the right will give you more rounded edges. Once you find one you like, click on bevel and emboss again. I will give you the specs that I use what doing these designs, but you can do what ever you like.

Under structure:
Depth: 200-250
Size: 10-20

Under shading:
Use Global shading: NOT checked
Altitude: 50%-60%
Highlight mode - Opacity: 100% (try using a color that is lighter that your text yet with in the same color family)
Shadow mode - Opacity: 0-60% (try using a color that is darker than your text yet in the same color family)

That is pretty much it!!
Play around with all the options in the layer styles menu. This menu is where much of the magic happens with shading and making everything look 3 dimensional.
For an added sparkle, try adding some noise to your design. This is done by going to- filter (located at the top of your main photoshop screen), noise, add noise (a box will probably pop up here, just hit "ok") and set it to 10% and see that happens. Warning- once you do this you will not be able to change things like your font, color or text.

Hope this helps!!
Keith

 

[Dom13]

Kieth, unfortunately PSE does not work quite the same as PS when it comes to bevels and effects. PSE does not have the double click option to bring up the Layer Styles window. You have to add the style to a layer in PSE first then there's a little "fx" on the right side of the layer in the Layers Palette you can click on to open a limited Layers Palette.

To add a bevel in PSE you have to have the Effects panel open. If you can't see it then go to Window>Effects to open it. To access the bevels you need to click on the second icon, 2 overlapping squares, and then select bevels from the drop down menu if they're not already visible. Select the bevel you want, Simple Inner would be a good choice for the effect Kieth mentioned, and the click apply. From this same menu you can experiment with all sorts of effects, including inner and outer glows, drop shadows and much more.

NOTE: To remove a style from a layer right click and click, Clear Layer Style. DO NOT use the trash can icon as this completely removes the effect from the menu.

Also the above is from PSE 6 on a PC using Windows XP. Things may have changed in PSE 8, the current version.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

It worked it worked it worked!!!!

Hail to you Keith

I'm soooo excited. Thank you for the explicit instructions. It does make things look so nice to add that little touch. I'm trying to help Millie while she's moving, and her DISign didn't look as nice without the emboss.

Thanks again!

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Kieth, unfortunately PSE does not work quite the same as PS when it comes to bevels and effects. PSE does not have the double click option to bring up the Layer Styles window. You have to add the style to a layer in PSE first then there's a little "fx" on the right side of the layer in the Layers Palette you can click on to open a limited Layers Palette.

To add a bevel in PSE you have to have the Effects panel open. If you can't see it then go to Window>Effects to open it. To access the bevels you need to click on the second icon, 2 overlapping squares, and then select bevels from the drop down menu if they're not already visible. Select the bevel you want, Simple Inner would be a good choice for the effect Kieth mentioned, and the click apply. From this same menu you can experiment with all sorts of effects, including inner and outer glows, drop shadows and much more.

NOTE: To remove a style from a layer right click and click, Clear Layer Style. DO NOT use the trash can icon as this completely removes the effect from the menu.

Also the above is from PSE 6 on a PC using Windows XP. Things may have changed in PSE 8, the current version.

Good to know. Thanks! My options were inner/outer bevel, emboss, and pillow emboss. The pillow seems to emboss both the top and bottom.

 

[Maize&Blue]

Kieth, unfortunately PSE does not work quite the same as PS when it comes to bevels and effects. PSE does not have the double click option to bring up the Layer Styles window. You have to add the style to a layer in PSE first then there's a little "fx" on the right side of the layer in the Layers Palette you can click on to open a limited Layers Palette.

To add a bevel in PSE you have to have the Effects panel open. If you can't see it then go to Window>Effects to open it. To access the bevels you need to click on the second icon, 2 overlapping squares, and then select bevels from the drop down menu if they're not already visible. Select the bevel you want, Simple Inner would be a good choice for the effect Kieth mentioned, and the click apply. From this same menu you can experiment with all sorts of effects, including inner and outer glows, drop shadows and much more.

NOTE: To remove a style from a layer right click and click, Clear Layer Style. DO NOT use the trash can icon as this completely removes the effect from the menu.

Also the above is from PSE 6 on a PC using Windows XP. Things may have changed in PSE 8, the current version.

Thanks Dom, I wasnt sure if PSE would work the same way as PS. Sounds like PSE has limited effects when it comes to this kinda thing. Glad your here to help with the Q&As

Thanks Again
Keith

It worked it worked it worked!!!!

Hail to you Keith

I'm soooo excited. Thank you for the explicit instructions. It does make things look so nice to add that little touch. I'm trying to help Millie while she's moving, and her DISign didn't look as nice without the emboss.

Thanks again!

Glad it worked for you! I've been watching your photobucket and see the changes.


Keith

 

[Dom13]

Yeah, the effects options are very limited compared to CS4. One of the bigger problems I, and others I've talked to, had when going from PSE to PS was finding where everything was. Just finding out how to rotate an individual layer and not the entire object sent me on a hunt!

This is the entire effects control panel from PSE 6. As you can see while adequate for most needs it offers nowhere near the flexibility of CS4.

 

[Maize&Blue]

Your right, not many design choices on PSE.

 

[Denzbrujah]

Before I even realized there was such a thing as a clipping mask (great feature!) I made my name fills by filling the entire image with white, adding the black text, merging the two layers and then using the Magic Eraser (right click on the eraser and use the one with the star on it) I erased the text. This leaves a white "stencil" in which I could put whatever image(s) I want behind. If you want a border on the text simply add the border before you merge the two layers. If you want a black border make the letters red or some other distinct color.

Funny I do something similar in CS4 ... Under layer styles I'd add a stroke, then convert the text to a smart object and magic erase the center
The benefit of doing it this way is I can simple keep converting the text to a smart object and adding layer effects as needed.

I like many others are self taught. Never knew about clipping masks, gonna have to try that.

Glad I subbed hopefully I learn something new everyday.

 

[Maize&Blue]

Funny I do something similar in CS4 ... Under layer styles I'd add a stroke, then convert the text to a smart object and magic erase the center
The benefit of doing it this way is I can simple keep converting the text to a smart object and adding layer effects as needed.

I like many others are self taught. Never knew about clipping masks, gonna have to try that.

Glad I subbed hopefully I learn something new everyday.

You use CS4??? Me to. Maybe we can bounce things off each other if needed.

 

[Denzbrujah]

Definately

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Hey....long time no hear from anyone on this thread...

So, here's a new question. Millie has these cute little heads, and I need to do a country that is not here. I've been wanting to figure out how to do this wrap type/fill thing for a long time. I'm putting my feeble brain in your capable hands... (now pick yourself up off the floor!)



Here is the flag I need to add:




I've learned a ton trying to help Millie's fans while she is away, but I'm not a pro yet! Thank you!!!!

 

[Maize&Blue]

This is what I do.

1) apply your mickey head to a new blank design and add guides around the inner circle of the mickey head like this.
[URL=http://s677.photobucket.com/albums/vv135/MaizeBlue/Designs/ZzzOdds%20and%20Ends/?action=view&current=BlankMickey.jpg][/URL]

2) Then place and resize your flag inside the guides in the middle of your mickey head like this.
[URL=http://s677.photobucket.com/albums/vv135/MaizeBlue/Designs/ZzzOdds%20and%20Ends/?action=view&current=BlankMickeywithflag.jpg][/URL]
I offset the flag to center the circle in the flag with the center of the mickey head. It is also longer to the right because of this too.

3) Add the circle marquee tool to the guides starting from the top left dragging it to the bottom right. Make sure the marquee tool is being used in the layer with the flag.
[URL=http://s677.photobucket.com/albums/vv135/MaizeBlue/Designs/ZzzOdds%20and%20Ends/?action=view&current=withmarqueetool.jpg][/URL]

4) Now with the marquee tool in place, click on the add pixel mask. This is located on the right side of the screen above the layers panel.
[URL=http://s677.photobucket.com/albums/vv135/MaizeBlue/Designs/ZzzOdds%20and%20Ends/?action=view&current=Pixelmask.jpg][/URL]

5) You have just cut the flag into a circle in the center of the mickey head. I would now convert it to a smart object by holding down shift and clicking on the mickey head and flag layers in the layers panel. once this is done right click on the highlighted layers and select convert to smart layer.
[URL=http://s677.photobucket.com/albums/vv135/MaizeBlue/Designs/ZzzOdds%20and%20Ends/?action=view&current=shiftleftclick.jpg][/URL]

you are now ready to add your details to the image.

Heres the finished image...

Hope this helps
Keith

 

[Scooby3x1y]

This is what I do.

1) apply your mickey head to a new blank design and add guides around the inner circle of the mickey head like this.
[URL=http://s677.photobucket.com/albums/vv135/MaizeBlue/Designs/ZzzOdds%20and%20Ends/?action=view&current=BlankMickey.jpg][/URL]

2) Then place and resize your flag inside the guides in the middle of your mickey head like this.
[URL=http://s677.photobucket.com/albums/vv135/MaizeBlue/Designs/ZzzOdds%20and%20Ends/?action=view&current=BlankMickeywithflag.jpg][/URL]
I offset the flag to center the circle in the flag with the center of the mickey head. It is also longer to the right because of this too.

3) Add the circle marquee tool to the guides starting from the top left dragging it to the bottom right. Make sure the marquee tool is being used in the layer with the flag.
[URL=http://s677.photobucket.com/albums/vv135/MaizeBlue/Designs/ZzzOdds%20and%20Ends/?action=view&current=withmarqueetool.jpg][/URL]

4) Now with the marquee tool in place, click on the add pixel mask. This is located on the right side of the screen above the layers panel.
[URL=http://s677.photobucket.com/albums/vv135/MaizeBlue/Designs/ZzzOdds%20and%20Ends/?action=view&current=Pixelmask.jpg][/URL]

5) You have just cut the flag into a circle in the center of the mickey head. I would now convert it to a smart object by holding down shift and clicking on the mickey head and flag layers in the layers panel. once this is done right click on the highlighted layers and select convert to smart layer.
[URL=http://s677.photobucket.com/albums/vv135/MaizeBlue/Designs/ZzzOdds%20and%20Ends/?action=view&current=shiftleftclick.jpg][/URL]

you are now ready to add your details to the image.

Heres the finished image...

Hope this helps
Keith

Thanks Keith,

I'm going to try it!

Lori

 

[Maize&Blue]

How did you come out with your design?

 

[Scooby3x1y]

How did you come out with your design?

Keith,

I could not get it to do it. I am looking into a getting new program. I'd love to know what everyone is using. The program I have is just a knock-off, and it won't even bend words. Please everyone, give me some suggestions, I want to keep improving, it just won't be happening with this program.