[kitesurfer3]

Hi all,

I am new to Photoshop, and for my purpose I have to be able to make rectangles with a color border (to simulate windows-house windows)
I can't figure out how to do this.

Can it be done?

thanks for any help

PS-CS3

[Johnathan]

Select your rectangle then goto Edit>Stroke and set 2px and outside and click ok. Is that what you're looking for?

[jerryb]

hi,
just a novice like you however maybe i canhelp .
i'll make a new layer ...
on rectangle what I do, in many cases, i'll use the marquee box tool
and create my rectangle and then i go to my edit menu and click stroke... in the stroke window you can choose the width of the line..! and click ok... that it....

there are probably better ways... hopefully the experts will see your post and let you know...

[Johnathan]

Well if that's all he needs to do then there is only really that way or Layer>Layer Style>Stroke and just do the same thing.

[kitesurfer3]

Thanks a lot to both of you, but Edit>Stroke same as Layer>Layer Style>Stroke
are not highlighted (can't choose them) how come?

On the other hand Edit>Fill is.
I am sure I am not doing something right, but what?

Thanks again

[jerryb]

hi johnathan,
just wanted to say i am sorry, when i first started my reply, your post wasn't showing yet... sorry about that...

[jerryb]

hi,
which rectangler tools are you using?

if your using the regular rectangler tool.. that right , the edit>stroke will be greyed out......

you need to use the MARQUEE retangler tool up near the top,,, looks like a box with dotted lines.... most people call that dancing ants
make your your rectangle using the marquee tool then go to edit and now you can choose stroke!!! ....


now your other question... and johnathan can probably explain it better than I ..... but i'll try

there edit>stroke and layers >layer style>stroke are different....

whenyou do the basic... creating the rectangle consider that your basic default style.......
after doing that you can then go to the layer style>stroke... and you can customize the style... you can adjust opacity color , a addition border, etc... and at the point when ever you do a rectangle on that specific layer, not the others, it will create that rectangle with the same attributes....

i am still learning the in and outs of this.. smiling... but i hope that helps.... like i said johnathan can probably say it better...

[kitesurfer3]

Thanks Jerry,

It works with the marquee like you said.
I am still investigating PS.
I have been using MS Digital Image 2006, very friendly, too retarded on many ways, but has good points like when I skew something, there is no jagged edges, in PS as soon as I skew it looks like a saw (see I work with pictures of houses that most of the time are not taken straight, and I have to add windows and or doors), is there a way to soften the jagged edges?

Thanks for all your help
I would love to switch to PS

[jerryb]

hi,
iam going to have to investigate that one further.. smiling... just a s novice..... but i like these questions , it make me think..... it helps me learn.....

i'll get back to you on this.. an in the meantime... maybe johnathan provide answers.......

now i did find something... i don't know if this is the best meathod or what..... but it something to work with to eliminate/reduce those jagged edges... this interactive tutorial is dealing with curves but i would think it applicable with those jagged slants.....
http://altered-perspective.com/2007/10/07/pixellation-smoothing-tutorial/
you need to use the mouse and click where they say to click to progress thru the interactive tutorial.....

hopefully maybe someone comes along with more simpler way to do it....

[Raven12388]

most of the time when you skew a image it will look jaged till you conmit to it,it usually sorts its self out after you dbl click to commit it

[kitesurfer3]

Yes Raven, you are correct, I spoke too soon.
I am liking PS more and more, I am practising most of the stuff I do on Digital Image and everything can be done (and then some) on PS.

One thing I can't figure out yet is how to make a rectangle with no background, for lack of a better word, keep it hollow.

Can someone tell me how.

Thanks for all the help

[jerryb]

hi,
not sure if i understand correctly what you need....

when you have you have your picture... i always make a duplicate layer of the picture i never really touch the orginal layer...... just in case.. smile, now on something like what i think your talking about i would create a new blank layer... that will transparent (checkerboard pattern and no background)...new layer is active, now then on that new layer create your rectangle..... you will now have a rectangle with no background

at that point now you can easily skew and position that rectangel in relation to your image any way you want ....

hopes that helps

[Raven12388]

PS can do anything any other art program can do not always as easy but usually far more superier

[kitesurfer3]

Thanks again Jerry, that did it

Since I am in a roll getting awsome help, next 2 questions:

1- When I trace a line I can't seem to be able to make thicker (I change the stroke but it does not change?)

2-And most important- This one won't be easy to explain, I would like to fill the rectangle with a "pattern" that simulates glass, I tried to use the pattern maker with some pictures of windows I have, but it wont work, is there a trick to have a semi-transparent pattern?

Thanks again!!
PS is it

[kitesurfer3]

I agree Raven,

Superier