Photoshop Question - Please Help!

[SunnieGrl]

Hi Everyone,

I just recently downloaded Photoshop Element's free trial and am trying to learn the different functions. I'm doing fairly well but am struggling with one thing - how do you make outlined text?? All of the google searches I've done has said to use the line style/stroke pallette. I've spent the last hour searching for those commands and cannot find it! I found the line style menu but it won't let me select any options. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I usually use Paint.net so it is quite possible that I'm missing something very obvious!

Thanks!

Sunnie

 

[M_I_C_K_E_Y]

Hi Everyone,

I just recently downloaded Photoshop Element's free trial and am trying to learn the different functions. I'm doing fairly well but am struggling with one thing - how do you make outlined text?? All of the google searches I've done has said to use the line style/stroke pallette. I've spent the last hour searching for those commands and cannot find it! I found the line style menu but it won't let me select any options. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I usually use Paint.net so it is quite possible that I'm missing something very obvious!

Thanks!

Sunnie

There may be another way to do this but....

I first choose another layer style, like bevel the text. Then I double click on the sun icon that is shown in the text layer. Then from there you can choose what color 'stroke' you want and how thick. Then if you do not want the bevel just click on the checkmark in the bevel box and then hit OK to accept your changes. I hope this helped!

 

[bethbuchall]

I am using an old version of Elements (3.0), so this may not work the same way.

In Elements 3.0, text cannot be outlined and remain text. First you need to go to the Layers pull-down, and click simplify layer. Next go to the Edit pull-down and click Stroke (Outline) selection. This will bring up a box for you to select the thickness and color of the stroke. The only problem is that your text is no longer editable.

That may have been changed on later versions. If it is, I may look into buying a new version.

Another way to outline text is to go into Effects, and click on one of the outline options. Then fill in the letters with your other color. Again, though, you can no longer edit the text.

 

[Dom13]

I think I have version 4 of PSE. In my version I create the text, duplicate the layer (usually 2 times so I have an extra in case I need it later), then I go to the effects tab and choose either bold, medium or thin outline. This will make the layer uneditable as text. I then use the second layer as my unside color or use it as another outline layer to have a thin and a thick (bold) outline.

 

[bethbuchall]

Thanks, Dom! I have played around with your way and really like it. It is so much more convenient to have the editable text still there. I don't think to use multiple layers of some things as much as I should.

 

[SunnieGrl]

Thank you for everyone's input! It is greatly appreciated!