I am wanting to simply make an outline of a rectangle or square around some text. When I create a new layer to do this my options seem to be limited to creating any shape but not just as an outline. The shape gets filled or is solid. The only work around I have been able to figure out is to use the line tool and create each side of the rectangle individually line by line. This is rather tedious. I tried using the custom shapes tool but the rectangle lines always have a design to them. I just need a simple outline of a rectangle or square.
I feel like this is probably something simple I am over looking.
I have tried every combinatin of "shape layers", "paths" and "fill pixels", but they still create a solid box. If I select "paths" with the rectangle icon I can draw a box of any shape which is good. The problem is that this box does not seem to be a layer or anything that will show up when printed. It seems more of a guide for something. Is there an additional step here I am missing?
The only other work around I figured is to create my rectangle as a solid shape. Then use the "rectangler marque tool" to create a smaller rectangle as a selection inside the larger solid one. I can then use the magic eraser tool to remove all the pixels inside the selected marque. This will give me my outline of a rectangle as well. however this is rather tedious as well. There has to be another simpler way.
Create a Rectangular Custom Shape layer, filled with whatever color…it doesn’t matter. NOT a "Path", NOT "Fill Pixels"… "Custom Shape Layer." See John Joslin’s graphic above if you’re confused about the difference.
Look at the Layers Palette, and scrub the "Fill" percentage down to "0". NOT the Opacity percentage…that affects the entire layer.
Add a Stroke layer effect, setting the color, width and placement you desire. Confirm it.
Result: A movable, resizeable rectangle, with invisible fill, with a stroke of any color and width you desire.
Just tried it and it works great. Using the "fill pixels" works better for me as Ed suggested. Thanks Phos, John and Ed for your help. I knew I should have asked sooner rather than wasting an hour trying to figure it out.
"I knew I should have asked sooner rather than wasting an hour trying to figure it out. "
Not necessarily or always the best way to go, IMO.
Experimenting on your own and finding out what doesn’t work is an extremely important part of the learning process. We must all get used to being as self-sufficient as possible. Under deadline, we might not have time to ask and wait for an answer.
Very true, I have learned so much through trial and error. I do my best learning by myself, when I have a quality book to read, much better than sitting in a classroom or seminar taking notes.
When I try to solve issues alone I end up always learning different things along the way. But, sometimes I can be stubborn to a fault by not asking for outside help. You have to know when its the right time to ask for help.
this still doesnt answer my problem. i need a way to creat a box, circle, triangle, whatever and then to alter the shape at different points. i need a vector created object that i can add points to and bend the shape of to match what i want.
where is the tool to create that effect. i could just open up illustrator i suppose, but if there was a tool to create a simple shape that i could alter the verticies of and add more as desired, then i could apply effects, transparencies and stuff to get what i want out of the shape.
so please discuss how to create this kind of shape.
So many ways, in Photoshop, of achieving the same end.
Create a new layer and draw out your square using the marquee tool. Fill with white and change the layer’s blending mode to "darken". Then add your stroke line via "Layer Style"
Now you can use "transform" to resize and reshape the stroke line to your heart’s content.
The "Warp" function also satisfies Alan’s desire to "Bend it like Beckham" And you can add/subtract at will and easily change the colour/thickness of the stroke line retrospectively.
The "Paths" option shown there will give you a vector path which can be manipulated with Photoshop’s pen and path selection tools in the manner you are looking for.
actually i do want a filled object that i can then do a graduated transparency to. but i am trying to recreate a shape that is from another picture that i am using in my project. the problem is that one of the menus i am trying to create in encore has a shape that i want to replicate exactly, then apply a graduated transparency just like the other picture that i found. i need to keep the theme the same but there is no way for me to recreate the effect with out tracing the shape and then adjusting the curvature.
all i can seem to get up to now is a path that i can create that duplicates the outline of that shape, but i dont see any way to fill it. when i create a shape that i know has a fill, i dont see anyway to "bend" it.
do i need to use one layer to crop another? i have thought about trying that.
somethings have been a breeze to learn, but i also think that my experience using other programs cripples my ability to see it the way that the programmers do.
Simple filling of a path: "Fill Path", in the Paths palette menu. This can only fill with color, a pattern, or History.
Using an existing Path to create a Gradient Fill Layer with vector mask: This sounds like what you want. Layer > New Fill Layer > Gradient
Using an existing Path to make a Layer Style with Gradient Overlay: This only works on areas of a layer that are not transarent. Layer > Vector Mask > Current Path. Add a Layer Style with a Gradient Overlay
You can even combine the last two, and add a Gradient Overlay Style to a Gradient Fill Layer.
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