cutout text?

[rgraber]

I've seen layouts where the text appears to be cutout so that the layer underneath shows through. Sometimes they add a shadow to the inside to make it look dimensional. I can't figure out how to do this. I have my first layer which has the color I want to show through, then my second layer which is what I want cut. Then I typed text which created the third layers. It seems if I could link the top two layers and then somehow crop the letters using the magic want...it should work but PSE won't let me link my text layer with the layer underneath. I really am at a loss. Any ideas or advice?

Ruth

[lindajay]

Hi Ruth,
Is this what you mean?

http://img421.imageshack.us/img421/3275/color5ix.th.jpg (http://img421.imageshack.us/my.php?image=color5ix.jpg)

If so, here's one way to do it:

*Open your first image, which is be what you want showing through the letter cutouts.
*Open your second image, which will be what the text is cut out of.
*Now your second image should be open in the window, and the first one shows in the photo bin.
*Drag your second image down, on top of the first image (in the photo bin).
*Choose the text tool (large, bold text works best).
*Type out the word(s) you want. They will automatically go onto a layer of their own (a third layer).
*Make sure the text layer is active, and do a control (command for Mac) click on that layer in the layer's pallet. This will put "marching ants" around the letters.
*With that selection still made, click on your second layer, making it active.
*Do Edit>delete, which will cut the letters out of that layer. You'll need to turn the top layer (text layer) off (click on the eyeball next to it) to see the effect.

Hope this helps. Let us know if you have other questions. And be sure to post your final image, so we can enjoy it! :)

--Linda

[Carbone]

Or I just made a short movie..

http://homepage.mac.com/carbmac/captures/PhotoshopElements028.mov

Ray

[rgraber]

woohooooooo

I* did what you said...only I couldn't seem to select all of the text so I just did it one letter at a time but it WORKED!!!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

Ruth

[Wendy]

Hi Ruth ...

... and welcome to the forum :)

I wonder is you did each of your letters on different layers?

Wendy

[kevq]

Ray,
Love your vids. Pity no sound!

Kev.

[Carbone]

Thanks Kev. One day, I'll get less shy.. hopefully... :o

[NMarti]

Ray
We are all waiting to hear your sexy french accent.....:D ..at least us ladies.;)

[kayser]

Nancy- Did you miss Ray's movie with his voice??

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/search.php?searchid=47669

We should probably downlad it before he deletes it.:)

[Carbone]

Oh my... really...

A few months ago, there was a major system outage at work. I had to speak up for my team and my systems in front of several people... The nightmare lasted for TWO months!

:o

Ray

[NMarti]

Kay - I missed that one. I don't always check a thread if the title doesn't catch my attention.

Ray - I love your voice - you don't sound like a chainsaw at all. Well - my husband says his husqvarna chain saw purrs so maybe a little....:D

[Carbone]

LOL !!!!!!

:)