Operation Manual

399

USING PHOTOSHOP

Type

Last updated 12/5/2011

Convert type to shapes

When you convert type to shapes, the type layer is replaced by a layer with a vector mask. You can edit the vector mask

and apply styles to the layer; however, you cannot edit characters in the layer as text.

❖ Select a type layer, and choose Layer > Type > Convert To Shape.

Note: You cannot create shapes from fonts that don't include outline data (such as bitmap fonts).

More Help topics

“Understanding shapes and paths” on page 326

Create a type selection border

When you use the Horizontal Type Mask tool or Vertical Type Mask tool, you create a selection in the shape of the

type. Type selections appear on the active layer, and can be moved, copied, filled, or stroked just like any other

selection.

1 Select the layer on which you want the selection to appear. For best results, create the type selection border on a

normal image layer, not a type layer. If you want to fill or stroke the type selection border, create it on a new blank

layer.

2 Select the Horizontal Type Mask tool or the Vertical Type Mask tool .

3 Select additional type options, and enter type at a point or in a bounding box.

A red mask appears over the active layer as you enter the type. After you click the Commit button , the type selection

border appears in the image on the active layer.

Add a drop shadow to text

Add a drop shadow to give depth to text in an image.

1 In the Layers panel, select the layer containing the text to which you want to add a drop shadow.

2 Click the Layer Style button at the bottom of the Layers panel and choose Drop Shadow from the list that

appears.

3 If possible, position the Layer Style dialog box so that you can see the layer and its drop shadow.

4 Adjust the settings to your liking. You can change various aspects of the shadow, including the way it blends with

the layers below it, its opacity (how much the underlying layers show through), the angle of the light, and its

distance from the text or object.

5 When you’re satisfied with the drop shadow, click OK.

To use the same drop shadow settings on another layer, Alt+drag the Drop Shadow layer in the Layers panel to the

other layer. When you release the mouse button, Photoshop applies the drop shadow attributes to the layer.