[diannecp]

Is there a way to outline a shape so that the outline/stroke is actually inset from the edge a little bit? Think of that thin border that goes around labels or something . . . I guess it's late and Ii can't figure out how to do something like this. Using CS5. (and going to go save my work right now - LOL!)

[BarbaraC1977]

Hi Dianne! Here's what I think is easiest. CTRL + Click the thumbnail of the object to stroke (layer 1). Click the New Layer button and make Layer #2. Select the new layer, Edit, Stroke, Inside, 20 px, in desired color.

Ctrl + Click the bottom layer, and make another new layer, #3. Select the layer 3, and Edit Stroke, Inside, 5 px. (numbers a little arbitrary.)

CTRL + Click on layer #3 (5 px stroke.) Click on layer #2 to select the layer. Press Delete to remove the outer 5 px.

Then you can delete the top layer and merge the second layer down if you're happy. This is totally non-destructive until you merge it down, so you can play. Let me know if this works for you.

This post has been edited by BarbaraC1977: 19 July 2012 - 10:26 AM

[teecee]

I know these instructions are for CS, but I had to try them with PSE 9. Worked beautifully. Thanks for such great instructions Barbara and thanks for asking the question Dianne!

[ValerieT]

I've always wondered if that was possible, thanks for the instructions Barbara, and thanks for asking Dianne.

[Sherry Lynn]

I was coming here to help with this BUT see that Barbara has already given you great step-by-step instructions Barbara!

[diannecp]

Thanks, Barb . . . I think I get the idea but it's not working for me. I never use Ctrl-Click? Am I supposed to be duplicating the layers? I guess I'm missing something.

[scrappinchar]

Hi gals. Since there are always multiple methods, here's another one.

Open a new/blank layer above the item you will use for the stroke.
While the new layer is active, hold the ctrl key and left-click on the thumbnail of the item being stroked.
You should see the "marching ants."
Go to Select<Modify<Contract and choose how far in you want to shrink the selection.
(If it seems too little or too much, undo and try a new number.)
Now choose edit<stroke and make the stroke the size/color/etc you want.

Now...that was from my head...I hope I remembered it right. (I'll let you know if I find I had it wrong.)

[teecee]

scrappinchar, on 19 July 2012 - 06:03 AM, said:

Hi gals. Since there are always multiple methods, here's another one.

Open a new/blank layer above the item you will use for the stroke.
While the new layer is active, hold the ctrl key and left-click on the thumbnail of the item being stroked.
You should see the "marching ants."
Go to Select<Modify<Contract and choose how far in you want to shrink the selection.
(If it seems too little or too much, undo and try a new number.)
Now choose edit<stroke and make the stroke the size/color/etc you want.

Now...that was from my head...I hope I remembered it right. (I'll let you know if I find I had it wrong.)

WOO HOO! This works great in PSE 9 Charlene! Thanks!!

[Nica]

diannecp, on 19 July 2012 - 06:02 AM, said:

Thanks, Barb . . . I think I get the idea but it's not working for me. I never use Ctrl-Click? Am I supposed to be duplicating the layers? I guess I'm missing something.

Dianne,

Ctrl + left-click on the thumbnail of the layer. You should get marching ants around the object. You shouldn't need to duplicate the layer. In both sets of directions, you'll need a new layer created above the object to put the stroke on.

HTH

[diannecp]

Okay, I'm getting there. I wasn't clicking on the thumbnail. So I get the marching ants, Select>Modify>Contract and the ants are right where I want the stroke to be. But then the stroke? How do I do that? Nothing I do leaves me with the stroke when I deselect. I can't stroke the new layer because there's nothing on it. And stroking the original layer/object does not make it inset like I want. Hmmm.

[Nica]

Once you have the marching ants where you want them, select a new layer. Now, go to the top left of the screen and choose "Edit." On the drop down menu, choose "stroke." A box will pop-up and you can experiment with the numbers Barbra mentioned.

[diannecp]

Nica, on 19 July 2012 - 03:38 PM, said:

Once you have the marching ants where you want them, select a new layer. Now, go to the top left of the screen and choose "Edit." On the drop down menu, choose "stroke." A box will pop-up and you can experiment with the numbers Barbra mentioned.

Yeah! Guess I was doing things out of order (or following the directions too literally - ha!) Thanks so much, Nica and all!

[Becster]

Ooh, great question and great answers! I'm def. going to try this!

[healthyscraps]

Char you beat me to it. I usually do your method however I'd like to try Barbara's to see if there is a difference in the end results.

[misseswojo]

teecee, on 18 July 2012 - 11:19 PM, said:

I know these instructions are for CS, but I had to try them with PSE 9. Worked beautifully. Thanks for such great instructions Barbara and thanks for asking the question Dianne!

Thanks for trying this out in PSE9 Theresa and glad to know it works. I will have to take notes on this.

[teecee]

misseswojo, on 23 July 2012 - 02:17 PM, said:

teecee, on 18 July 2012 - 11:19 PM, said:

I know these instructions are for CS, but I had to try them with PSE 9. Worked beautifully. Thanks for such great instructions Barbara and thanks for asking the question Dianne!

Thanks for trying this out in PSE9 Theresa and glad to know it works. I will have to take notes on this.

Hi Patty. You may want to try Charlene's method also. It worked great too.

[misseswojo]

teecee, on 23 July 2012 - 02:45 PM, said:

misseswojo, on 23 July 2012 - 02:17 PM, said:

teecee, on 18 July 2012 - 11:19 PM, said:

I know these instructions are for CS, but I had to try them with PSE 9. Worked beautifully. Thanks for such great instructions Barbara and thanks for asking the question Dianne!

Thanks for trying this out in PSE9 Theresa and glad to know it works. I will have to take notes on this.

Hi Patty. You may want to try Charlene's method also. It worked great too.

Yep, I wrote them both down for future reference. Thanks