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Post by Tpgettys on Aug 21, 2021 15:47:07 GMT
I have often struggled when it comes to combining text with an image. The text is either not well integrated or distracting, obscures the subject or other important elements in the image, etc. A recent thread GUIDENCE NEEDED WITH PROJECT started by richrdstone has received a lot of good input and it got me thinking again about how to combine lines of text in a way that complements the image. In my research I came upon a technique for creating a custom text box in Elements and am quite excited to share it with you! The basic idea is to create a custom text box that fits around the contours of the subject, so that the text looks more integrated with the image. I hope the written steps below, along with the example images will allow you to achieve this effect, but I stand by to answer any questions you may have.
- Select where the text should NOT be (I used the Quick Selection Tool to select the flower)
- Expand the selection: Select | Modify | Expand... (I used 30 pixels)
- Invert the selection: Ctrl-Shift-I (everything outside the flower is now selected)
- Select the Rectangular Marquee Tool and pick the Intersect with selection option (see the image below)
- Drag out a selection overlapping the subject. (This is where your text will be)
Here is what my image and layer stack look like after step 5: We have created our region, but how do we coax Elements to use it as a text box??? Here is where the secret sauce is!
Follow these steps carefully: 6. Copy your selection to its own layer (Ctrl-J)
7. Click the Text Tool (T) and pick the Text on Selection Tool. This tool works much like the quick selection tool; use it to select the region in the layer you just created. 8. Commit the selection by clicking the green check mark, then select the Horizontal Text Tool. 9. The region will disappear, but now type undo (Ctrl-Z) and the region will reappear (inside the region the cursor will be the text I-beam with a circle around it) Here is what the screen looks like after step 9 (sorry, the cursor doesn't show):  10. Click in the selection region and enter your text. It will be constrained to the region you created! I fine-tuned the font size, right-justified the text and centered the title to achieve the result below:
I am looking forward to seeing your creative effects using this technique!
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Post by cats4jan on Aug 21, 2021 16:45:02 GMT
An excellent tutorial. This will be extremely handy for us Digital Scrappers. I'm off to give it a try.
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Post by cats4jan on Aug 21, 2021 17:29:29 GMT
Thanks Tom - an excellent and fun tutorial. This isn't the best photo to start with - not enough edge definition, but you can see how the text box conforms to the selection (Click on photo to go to original - to better see the outline around the text) After you create the text, if you highlight the text, it can be edited and moved around inside your selection. As you move it, the text adjusts to the outline of your selection. The outline appears when you highlight your text - see example on left. (My title is a separate text layer - that is why it is not highlighted along with the body of the text.) Don't be confused by the fact that my selection is off the project and somewhat impinging on the pelican -
I had moved it there after editing. Yours will not be off the project unless you move it there.
text from Wikipedia photo by Linda  |
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Post by hmca on Aug 21, 2021 19:35:23 GMT
I agree with Janice, this is a great tut, Tom. Janice, good idea for matching text with image. It took me longer to find a quote than it did to follow the tut. I look forward to doing this again.  |
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Post by Tpgettys on Aug 21, 2021 20:14:45 GMT
Thanks Tom - an excellent and fun tutorial. This isn't the best photo to start with - not enough edge definition, but you can see how the text box conforms to the selection
Thanks for your kind words janice!
One thing you can try is use the right-justify option on the text to better revel the text box edge.
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Post by cats4jan on Aug 21, 2021 20:24:27 GMT
Thanks for the hint, Tom
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Post by Lillias on Aug 21, 2021 20:39:03 GMT
Fabulous tutorial Tom. Makes such a difference to a page. I had a great time with this... Image from Pixabay...  |
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Post by Lillias on Aug 21, 2021 20:40:16 GMT
An excellent tutorial. This will be extremely handy for us Digital Scrappers. I agree Janice. |
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Post by Lillias on Aug 21, 2021 20:41:31 GMT
hmca I love how you have coloured the text to match that gorgeous flower.
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Post by Sepiana on Aug 21, 2021 20:58:28 GMT
Tom, great tut! Lots of fun! - Applied an Atmospheric texture by Merek Davis (Optimism, Soft Light blending mode, 100% Opacity). - Font: Minion Pro. - Image from Pixabay.  |
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Post by Tpgettys on Aug 21, 2021 22:18:59 GMT
I agree with Janice, this is a great tut, Tom.
Thanks Helen, I had a lot of fun putting it together.
I *really* like your flower; the perspective is unusual and the colors so delicate. Excellent subject!
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Post by Tpgettys on Aug 21, 2021 22:22:03 GMT
Fabulous tutorial Tom. Makes such a difference to a page. I had a great time with this...
Perfect subject for this effect Lillias; the grape colors are so nice and soft. The text really is well integrated and complementary.
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Post by Tpgettys on Aug 21, 2021 22:28:23 GMT
Sure thing! Besides left, right and center, Photoshop has a 4th option, justify, that Elements doesn't have. It is really nice because with this effect one edge will be fully justified and the other would conform to your custom text box. It is achievable if you happen to have Elements+ however.
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Post by kdcintx on Aug 21, 2021 22:56:12 GMT
Thanks Tom for an easy and useful tutorial. I've never used "text on selection" but would either space or indent to achieve the desired text placement. This method is much easier. i.ibb.co/y5FLWq1/geese.jpg |
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Post by hmca on Aug 21, 2021 22:57:53 GMT
Lillias, I like the way your text follows the form of the grapes. I will probably do quite a few of these as I would like to *try* to imbed it in my brain for future use.  |
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