Shape Tool in Elements 4

[Storm1]

Made a Collage. Then made a circle using the Ellipse shape tool .
Would like to put a 10px Frame around it, but when I go Edit>Stroke Outline Selection it is greyed out.
Is there a way I can fix this. ? My shape Layer was Highlited.
Thanks. Storm

[ladybug]

I am not sure but you may have to simplify the shape layer, then select the shape, then i think you should have the stroke option available.

[TonyW]

Funnily enough (I'm not a scrapbooker) I just ran into the same thing with a logo I've been working on and have converted to a shape. Like ladybug says to use the stroke selection you need to simplify the shape. I did find a couple of other ways to do it without simplifying. You can add a stroke via a layer style to the shape layer (can't remember but I'm not sure that PSE4 had that option in the layer style dialogue box or if it was it may have been limited to black). The other way is to add a blank layer and apply the stroke to that layer. If you then link the layers transforming the shape will keep the stroke around the shape.

Tony

[ladybug]

Storm ,the methond that Tony suggested is one i use often.
To keep the stroke on its on layer.
You have to have the circle or shape itself selected.
Then make a new blank layer.
Add your stroke, it will give you the stroke around the area you selected, but keep it seperate, this gives you more freedom to make changes.

[Storm1]

Thank you Judy & Tony for your suggestions.
I have to go & do Gardening right now ,will see what I can accomplish this evening. Btw how do you Simplify & what is the purpose behind it ?
Thank you .Storm

[Wendy]

Hi Storm ..

The shape tool gives you a vector shape (you can resize those without loss of quality because they are not pixel based) ..

Simplifying it just changes it into pixels ... :)

Wendy

[Inspeqtor]

Storm,

To Simplify a layer, all you do is RIGHT click on the layer. You will get a window with some options, one of them being Simplify then you click on Simplify.

As to the purpose of it, someone else will have to answer that. I would also like to know!

[Inspeqtor]

Wendy,

I read Storms question, then I opened up PSE4 to play with it. Then I typed in my answer. During that time you typed in yours because you did not have to play with Elements.... you just know Elements (and Photoshop) much better than I do! :o

[Bayla]

Charles,

You don't know how many times that has happened to me.....and the annoying thing is that often I do know the answer without having to open up PSE and play, but I'm just a bit scared in case I get it wrong!

I have the added problem of making sure that my answer is perfectly spelled, paragraphed and grammatically correct before I hit 'submit reply' by which time the question has usually been answered by at least five other people!

Bayla

[Wendy]

I'm hopeless .. I rarely check my spelling and sometime I make all sorts of silly spelling mistakes.

... my brain moves faster than my fingers :)

Wendy

[Storm1]

lol and my problem is I have an addiction :D
B**** the Gardening.
I opened 2 books no help then hit help in El 4 .
Found I can do all sorts of things to that simplified layer.I have been under the impression that Simplifing a layer was to be avoided at all costs, similar to Flatten.
Once you Flatten then you cannot change things ever again .
Must check that out in Help :)
See you off to weed & kill aphids.
Storm

[twoaussies]

Tony: Your photos are great. What do you mean 'shot with a scanner'. Did you put the flower on the scanner?
I used to have a Canada goose I helped out of her egg - I was mummy. She would come into the house each evening to watch television - trained her to keep her rear on the tile. Jean

[TonyW]

Tony: Your photos are great. What do you mean 'shot with a scanner'. Did you put the flower on the scanner?
I used to have a Canada goose I helped out of her egg - I was mummy. She would come into the house each evening to watch television - trained her to keep her rear on the tile. Jean

I probably did put the flower on a scanner - cheaper than buying a macro and the depth of field is amazing.

Not sure I want a Canada Goose as a pet - they make a real mess and last week I got attacked by one - walked too close to a nest and they got very defensive (not sure if it was the male or the female as I don't know how to tell the difference :)). Can't really blame him/her but I had to duck to miss getting beaked :eek:

It's about time I updated my gallery - submitted a couple of them plus some new ones for a "May is Photography Month" display locally - had two picked but none of my gallery ones so I must be improving ;)

Tony

Tony

[twoaussies]

Actually a Canada Goose can make a good outside pet. She went to show and tell at schools on a dog harness!! One cannot toilet train a goose, hence the rear on the tile. Jean

[Inspeqtor]

Charles,

You don't know how many times that has happened to me.....and the annoying thing is that often I do know the answer without having to open up PSE and play, but I'm just a bit scared in case I get it wrong!

I have the added problem of making sure that my answer is perfectly spelled, paragraphed and grammatically correct before I hit 'submit reply' by which time the question has usually been answered by at least five other people!

Bayla

Bayla,

I am really thankful I am not the only one that has to try something before I answer! I also go thru and check my spelling before I hit reply. As for grammar? That was my worst subject in school! My wife loves grammar. I never understood it. Adjectives, pronouns, verbs... ach!