Archive for September, 2007

I could show you how to do this but it would take to long and pages of samples so just download the finished PSD and play around with it. To get the original tutorial and great PSD and tutorials visit http://www.photoshopstar.com/

08 MugTut by ~Al-Kabeer on deviantART

I have had quite a few requests to do a more in depth tutorial on the outline text so here it is.

Enjoy

This is an amazing little tool in Photoshop.

What this image has going for it is a very distinct edge, which makes it a perfect candidate for the magnetic lasso tool. I ruled out the background eraser because there were color variations in the background that were very similar.

The magnetic lasso tool detects and snaps to the edge of an object as you to trace along its outline. The Magnetic lasso tool options used for this image are shown to the right. The lasso width controls how close the edge you need to stay as you trace the image. Frequency controls how often points are laid down, and edge contrast helps you fine tune the edge detection.

As you drag along the edge of an object, the tool drops fastening points to anchor the selection.

Now you can either copy and paste into a new selection or invert the selection and delete the background. Add it into a new picture or use it any way you want.

This is also a great tool for adding faces to posters etc.

Step 1:

To begin, we are going to start with a New Document. I started with a new canvas shaped 275×150. The background doesn’t matter at this point, but I added a red & gray gradient.

Start off with typing out your text. I choose white text, but the font-color is something that can be changed at anytime.

Step 2:

To add a customized outline to your text, We are first going to create a new layer. Move this newly created layer, behind your text layer.

Now that we have created a new layer, we are now going to make a selection around your text layer. To do this, we are going to hold down Ctrl, and click on the text-layer icon. (the little image on the left side of your layer.) At this point, your text should be selected. Go Select Modify Expand. Enter 2px.

You should now see the selection around the text expand outwards by 2px. Next, pick a color you would like to outline your text with, and fill in the new layer. I choose #BE1919.

Step 3:

Ok. So, you should have three layers – bg, Text-Layer & Outline layer.

The last step of the the Outline tutorial, is to repeat the step you just completed. Except this time, we are going to create a 1px black outline around the newly created layer (red).

So, that’s it! Thats how you create a customized Stroke Outline Text Effect in Photoshop. This outline effect also works with other colors and gradients. Different Fonts. It will also work for your logos and buttons. There are many things you can use this photoshop text effect for. I probably use this outline effect more than any other photoshop effect.

A free tutorial from http://www.msiphotoshop.com

There has been a lot of talk lately in the forum regarding this issue. How to slice an image you have made in Photoshop – the quick and easy way.

Here I’ll show you a very fast and simple way to do this.

A quick tip on the way:
Plain text and very simple graphics: save as gif.
Photographs and beveled images: save as jpg.

Ok – when you have finished the work on your design in PS you have to drag out som Guidelines to show where you want to slice your image.

To do this you have to have the “Show Rulers” option active (View – Show Rulers).

Activate the Move Tool and then just click on the horizontal/vertical ruler and drag out the guidelines and position them where you want them.

Now click on the “Jump to Image Ready” button .

Once your image has opened up in Image Ready go to Slices – Create Slices from Guides.

Your image should now have a number on each slice like shown in the picture to the left.

Then choose if you want to save your images as jpg or gif – and how much you want to compress the images in this window:

(If this window doesn’t show just select the whole image file and it should appear…)

Now you’re actually ready to save all your slices at once in just one step!

Go to File – Save Optimized As – and then choose if you want just the images saved, the HTML + images saved or just the HTML.

If you choose the HTML + images option Image Ready takes care of putting it in a table for you.
If you want your table to be aligned to the center insted of to the left you just add the align=”center” to your code like shown below:
<TABLE WIDTH=300 BORDER=0 CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 align=”center”>

Then you’re actually finished! Now that didn’t take much time – did it?

Just a few words at the end:

In Image Ready you can select individual slices and then in the Optimize Palette on the right hand side you can select file formats (.gif, .jpg, .png etc.) and select compression ratios or in the case of .gif the number of colors. This allows full control over each slice.

Make your own personalized keyboard. Just for fun!

 Computer Keyboard Generator