PSE 6 - changing text into a shape

[farabee]

I want to make my text on a layout look like a sticker. I have directions for using a shape or pix for that, but not text. My understanding is that the text has to be changed into a "shape." How do I do that?:confused: -L

[vawitt]

Do you mean simplify your text? Once you do that, you can't edit the text content any more (correct spelling, etc.).

One way to accomplish this is to right-click on the text layer thumbnail in the layers palette, then choose simplify layer. (Or...select the layer in the palette and use the menus...Layer > Simplify.

If this isn't what you mean, post back with what you really are trying to do.

Good luck!

~Val in balmy IL

[farabee]

Yes, thank you. That was half the process. Then I discovered I needed to stroke the text to get a "sticker-like" appearance. THanks. I didn't know the right click to simplify was available.

[cats4jan]

This is how I do stickers

control click on thumbnail of text layer (it does not have to be simplified)

you will get the marching ants in the shape of your text

select> modify> expand

Choose about 25 pixels

Now open a new layer beneath your text layer

Using the paint bucket, fill in that new layer - the fill will only go within your marching ants

control delete to turn off the marching ants

Now - you can add a bevel or shadow to that layer and to your text layer to make it more sticker like. Or you can outline either layer using edit. stroke for another look.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p103/cats4jan/Janice-2.jpg
This is more a wood look (the only sample I had on hand), but using shadow instead of bevel would make it look more sticker like.

[vawitt]

That's cool, Janice!

[photoshopsusieq]

Here's another way to do it:


CTRL-click the text layer thumbnail (large T). FYI, you don't need to simplify it!
CTRL-click the Create a New Layer Icon to create a new layer below the text layer.
Go to Select>Modify>Expand. (I used about 10 px in my example.)
Press D to set default colors to B&W.
Press X to switch White to foreground color.
Press ALT+BACKSPACE to fill expanded selection with white.
Press CTRL+D to deselect.
Apply a small drop shadow layer style to the white layer.
Please note if you decide to change your text you'll need to repeat steps 2-8. Hope this helps!

http://heart2heartdesigns.xportcms3.com/siteresources/data/images/Personal/PET%20Forum/Thread%2037331/flower-power-sticker.jpg

[farabee]

Thank you both for continuing to add to this thread. I'm trying both methods.

[cats4jan]

Susan - thanks for that shortcut to fill in - I can never remember how to use backspace to fill in things. I always end up using the extra steps. In fact, I don't know alot of the shortcuts. I'm just now finding the hidden potential of alt. LOL

Your sample looks very sticker like. Great example.