Changing text outline colors

[aprilmcowan]

I'm new to digital scrap booking and just learning PSE 10. I would like to outline my text in a document with a custom color. Is there a way to do this thru the software or are there downloads available to upload to PSE? If so, where would I find them?

April Cowan
PhotoShop Elements 10
Windows 7
Google Chrome

[SharLamb]

I use CS5, so may be off a little in what I'm telling you. If so, a PSE expert will pop in soon, I'm sure.

There are at least two ways to do this. One way requires that you first "Simplify" your text so that it is editable. Select it on the layers panel, right click, and click "simplify." (I'm not sure if that's exactly right, as in CS you "rasterize" the type rather than "simplify.")

Now, with the editable word (or letter) selected, go to Edit>Stroke (or stroke outline). When you select it, you will have options to put the stroke on the inside, center, or outside of the letters. If you have "squared" letters, it is best to choose INSIDE, as then the letters will remain square-looking. You can choose the size (takes some experimenting--remember CTRL + Z will undo any step you don't like); AND you can choose the color. Click OKAY.

The other way to do this is:

CTRL click on the white box with the letter in it on the layers panel to make marching ants around the letters. Add a new layer on top in the layers panel (click the new layer icon at the bottom of the layers panel). Select the new layer. Follow the instructions above for adding a stroke (beginning with "Edit>Stroke...). After you have clicked OKAY, on your keyboard, type CTRL+ D to remove the marching ants. This way of doing it keeps your words as text rather than a simplified object.

Hope this is clear and answers your question. I'm leaving my computer for the evening, but if you have questions, someone else should be by to help you soon.

[connieg]

Hi April, there is a couple of ways to do this, depending on the look you are going for. Simplify your text then control click on the thumbnail to get the marching ants, make a new layer (or not depends on the outcome you want) go to edit stroke. Or you can simplify your layer, add a drop shadow, and click on the style icon to adjust shadow. From there you can also add a stroke. HTH

[aprilmcowan]

Thank you for the help! It worked....I'm new to this Photo Shop elements and digital scraping...I need all the help I can get and this forum is awesome. I'll definitely use this more in the future!

[SharLamb]

Glad we were able to come to your rescue. That's what the forum is all about.