Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
WORKAROUND WORKSHOP: DRAWING OUTLINES AND BORDERS
If you've played around with the shape tools, you may have noticed that you can't draw shapes
that are just outlines (that is, ones that aren't filled with color). No matter what you do, the shapes
you draw are always solid. Even if you haven't ever touched a shape tool, you may be wondering
how the heck to get a simple, plain-colored border around a photo.
The easiest way to create an outline is to make a selection using the Rectangular Marquee tool or
another selection tool, and then select Edit→Stroke (Outline) Selection. The Stroke dialog box
pops up so you can enter a width for the line in pixels and choose a color. You'll also see these
settings:
▪
Location
tells Elements where you want the line: around the inside edge of the selection,
centered on the edge of the selection, or around the outside. (If you're bordering an entire
photo, don't choose Outside; if you do, the border won't show up because it'll be off the edge
of the image.)
▪
Mode
lets you choose a blend mode (
Blending and Smudging
) for the outline and set its opa-
city. Using a mode can create a more subtle edge than a normal stroke does.
▪
Preserve Transparency
ensures that any transparent areas in the active layer
stay
transpar-
ent.
When you're finished adjusting the dialog box's settings, click OK and then deselect (press
Ctrl+D/
⌘
-D or just click someplace else in the image) to get rid of the marching ants, and you've
got yourself an outlined shape.
Be sure to also check out some of the simple frame designs in the Graphics panel (
Working with
the Graphics and Favorites Panels
)
, which let you apply a border with just a few clicks.
The Cookie Cutter Tool
At first glance, you may think the Cookie Cutter is a pretty silly tool. But actually, it's so
handy that you may use it all the time once you understand it. The Cookie Cutter creates the
same shapes as the Custom Shape tool, but you use it to crop a photo to the shape you
choose. Want a heart-shaped portrait of your sweetie? The Cookie Cutter is the tool for you.
If you're a scrapbooker, just a couple of clicks can get you results that would take
ages
(and
a bunch of special scissors) to create with paper.
If you're not into that sort of thing, don't go away, because hidden in Elements' built-in
shapes library are some of the most sophisticated, artistic crop shapes around. You can use
