Outlined Text Using Selections
Have you ever wanted to add an extra emphasis to your text by adding an outline around your text? This tutorial will show you two ways!
First, open an image that you would like to add text to, or create a new canvas.
I will be adding text to this image.
Using the Text Tool from the toolbox, then type the text you desire on the screen that comes up. Be sure to select "Create as Vector" from the choices available, and make sure that anti-aliasing is checked if your font has any curves. (If you are using a pixel font like Silkscreen or Redensek, antialiasing will not be required.)
Now we have to make a selection from our text. In the Layer Palette (if you can't see it, it's in the menu under View > Toolbars), click on the little addition sign on the Vector layer containing your text. You should now see the first few words of your text. Right click on this item in the Layer Palette and click on Create Raster Selection.
A selection should appear around the edges of your text. Use Selections > Modify > Expand to increase the size of the selection. The number you select will be how many pixels wide your border will be. I prefer small borders, so I chose a size of two pixels. You can choose whatever size you would like!
Create a new layer under the menu Layer > New Raster Layer, and press okay for the default settings (you can name your new layer if you would like to).
Using the Layer Palette, drag this new layer below your existing vector text layer.
It's time for the last step! Using the Flood Fill tool, fill your new selection with a solid, contrasting colour. Deselect your selections by using the menu Selections > Select None (or CTRL-D). And you are done!
Optional extra: You can even give your new border an opacity change or an alternate blend mode in the Layer Palette! It can give your borders some interesting features!
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