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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Another Photoshop question re: text
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 04/13/2005 04:46:43 PM · #1
I would like to use some white lettering against a blue background, but I think I want a black outline around each white letter. How to I get that outline? Thanks!
 04/13/2005 04:51:45 PM · #2
Just an outline?

Create the text in black first.
Shrink the font by 1. Change the color to white and type over it.
Use the move tool to position it? :)

I dunno.
 04/13/2005 04:52:36 PM · #3
I like to shadow letters, which is where you create a text layer with one color, and then duplicate the layer with another color. Place the second layer over the first and offset it by as much or as little of the under layer as you would like. Then play with the layer opacity of the under layer, if you would like a shadowy effect.
 04/13/2005 05:00:11 PM · #4
I don't want a shadow, I just want to outline each letter. To reduce the font, I don't think would work because then the spaces between letters would also be different size on the overlay. Make sense? This is such a simple thing...I'm sure there must be some more options for text than I'm seeing.
 04/13/2005 05:02:18 PM · #5
Originally posted by jpochard:
I would like to use some white lettering against a blue background, but I think I want a black outline around each white letter. How to I get that outline? Thanks!

-Put your type on a layer
-Duplicate the type layer -- hide the original type for now
-With the duplicate layer active go to the menu Layer > Type > Render Layer The type is now an object -- not editable type anymore.
-Go to the menu Edit > Stroke -- this will apply a stroke using the current foreground color; set thickness and position as desired
 04/13/2005 05:08:08 PM · #6
I forgot to mention that I'm using Elements 2. I got as far as layer-type- but then there is no "render layer" option.
 04/13/2005 05:11:25 PM · #7
If you save it as a TIFF file, the type layer will be rendered and go away. Make sure you're at high resolution.

You should be able to select your type with the Magic Wand tool, then apply the stroke.
 04/13/2005 05:21:49 PM · #8
Originally posted by GeneralE:
If you save it as a TIFF file, the type layer will be rendered and go away. Make sure you're at high resolution.

You should be able to select your type with the Magic Wand tool, then apply the stroke.


Arg...thanks for helping. I'm very lost. I really hate Photoshop and wouldn't use it at all if I had a better program. It is the must user un-friendly program I have ever used.

Okay...so how do I save just the type layer as a TIFF? And if it "goes away" how can I select it? I have no idea what you mean by "stroke" but I'm hoping if I ever get to that point the command will be rather self explanitory.

I have a rather large 300 dpi canvas open that I'm working on (this is for a billboard), if that helps with anything.
 04/13/2005 05:27:49 PM · #9
When you save as a TIFF, all the layers will go away -- it is essentially your final print image. But if you have perfectly white type on a blue background, you should be able to select it alone with the Magic Wand tool. Stroke should be under Edit, and will apply a line to the selection you make with the Magic Wand.
 04/13/2005 05:29:34 PM · #10
This works in PS but dunno about elements.

1) Right click the text layer.
2) Click Blending Mode (or Blending Options?)
3) Click Stroke (should be at the bottom?)

And you're done. You can still edit the text and keep the stroke for all new text you enter. This is the easiest way to do it.
 04/13/2005 05:29:48 PM · #11
Originally posted by GeneralE:
When you save as a TIFF, all the layers will go away -- it is essentially your final print image. But if you have perfectly white type on a blue background, you should be able to select it alone with the Magic Wand tool. Stroke should be under Edit, and will apply a line to the selection you make with the Magic Wand.


Okay...I understand the stroke now. (I played with it on another file). So you're saying that by saving it as TIFF, my image will be flattened and I won't be able to move my layers around? So I should make sure everything is where I want it before I do the stroke on the letters?
 04/13/2005 07:04:59 PM · #12
Originally posted by jpochard:
Originally posted by GeneralE:
When you save as a TIFF, all the layers will go away -- it is essentially your final print image. But if you have perfectly white type on a blue background, you should be able to select it alone with the Magic Wand tool. Stroke should be under Edit, and will apply a line to the selection you make with the Magic Wand.


Okay...I understand the stroke now. (I played with it on another file). So you're saying that by saving it as TIFF, my image will be flattened and I won't be able to move my layers around? So I should make sure everything is where I want it before I do the stroke on the letters?


No, you can move the letters after, just make sure its all where you want it before you save as a TIFF... or save as a PSD too so you can edit later.
 04/13/2005 07:27:46 PM · #13
Well, this @#!%&* billboard has at least forced me to learn some Photoshop techniques! :) Thanks everyone for your help. This site is the best $25 I've spent. (and acutally, the advice is free..so it's an even better deal!)

I figured it out. I did figure out too late that I should save it as a photoshop file first so that I can edit. Hopefully, I won't have to do that. If I do, it's probably back to square one unless it's a minor clone or something.
 04/13/2005 07:28:24 PM · #14
why are you people telling someone how to use text in photoshop ? the text tool is only there as a preview for illustrative purposes, it´s not ment to put text on the final image !

photoshop is a pixelbased program, so if the text is enlarged it will have jagged edges.
for print all text should be applied using programs like Adobe Illustrator og Macromedia Freehand, both are Vectorbased, so no matter how much you enlarge the fonts, they always keep their smooth outline.

and in Freehand the text outline is really simple, just a mouseclick :)
 04/13/2005 07:30:31 PM · #15
Originally posted by DanSig:
why are you people telling someone how to use text in photoshop ? the text tool is only there as a preview for illustrative purposes, it´s not ment to put text on the final image !

photoshop is a pixelbased program, so if the text is enlarged it will have jagged edges.
for print all text should be applied using programs like Adobe Illustrator og Macromedia Freehand, both are Vectorbased, so no matter how much you enlarge the fonts, they always keep their smooth outline.

and in Freehand the text outline is really simple, just a mouseclick :)


That would be wonderful if I had one of those programs, but I don't. Anything freeware to do the trick?
 04/13/2005 07:33:21 PM · #16
Originally posted by DanSig:
why are you people telling someone how to use text in photoshop ? the text tool is only there as a preview for illustrative purposes, it´s not ment to put text on the final image !

photoshop is a pixelbased program, so if the text is enlarged it will have jagged edges.
for print all text should be applied using programs like Adobe Illustrator og Macromedia Freehand, both are Vectorbased, so no matter how much you enlarge the fonts, they always keep their smooth outline.


Ummm... no.

Photoshop uses vector based text.
 04/13/2005 07:37:35 PM · #17
Yeh the text in photoshop is vector until you flatten it or rasterize it (which you need to do to apply certain effects such as liquify etc)
 04/13/2005 07:58:26 PM · #18
Originally posted by jpochard:
I would like to use some white lettering against a blue background, but I think I want a black outline around each white letter. How to I get that outline? Thanks!

The best way is to do this:
> select your text layer
> go to the menu > 'Layer' > layer style > stroke
> you can then choose to put a stroke around your characters inside, centre or outside
It is also non-destructive and completely editable.
 04/14/2005 06:18:34 AM · #19
Originally posted by Konador:
Yeh the text in photoshop is vector until you flatten it or rasterize it (which you need to do to apply certain effects such as liquify etc)


I don´t know what your vectors look like, but this looks like pixels to me.

the only thing done.. new image/transparent background - write text - zoom in - snapshot.


Message edited by author 2005-04-14 06:21:30.
 04/14/2005 08:10:08 PM · #20
Yes, you're showing a popular myth. Text or other vector objects only appear to be pixelated when you view them at a magnification greater than 100% even though they are not. The problem is Photoshop wasn't designed to accurately show you data (vector or otherwise) at anything but 100%. So zooming isn't the way to determine if the data is vector or not. Resizing though will prove that the data is indeed vector. If you resize a raster image it will degrade, correct? Vector data, no matter how it is resized is always the same, correct?

Take a look at the image below. In the upper left is an "h" that I created with the text tool at 1000 points. Nice sharp edges right? To the right of that is an "h" that I created with the text tool at 20 points then rasterized. Using image resize, I resized it to 1000 points. I'm sure you'll agree this is very degraded. This is resizing using raster data. In the lower left you'll see another "h". This was created again with the type tool at 20 points. I then resized the image (not zoomed) to make this 1000 points. Notice the sharp edges? That's because Photoshop is using vector data.



As long as you don't rasterize the text either directly or by merging layers or changing the file type then Photoshop will continue to use the vector data. The zoomed appearance is inaccurate and misleading.

If you need further proof create all the text or vector shapes you want in Photoshop. At 100% they look sharp right? Zoom as much as you want. You'll see that they look pixelated just like your example "h". Now save the file in the EPS format and check "Include Vector Data". Open this newly created file in illustrator or whatever vector drawing program you normally use. At 100% it looks sharp doesn't it? Now zoom away. Try viewing at 1000% or 2000%... still sharp right? That's because Photoshop used vector data to create it.

Is Photoshop the best tool for vector imaging... no. You can do a lot with it but it lacks all the cool advanced features of illustrator and the other vector drawing programs.
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