Working with text - need help

[shanna elmer]

I want to learn how to change the shape of text; e.g., have the margin curved on the left, straight on the right. Or have the entire text printed in an oval shape. I have Word (Vista), latest edition and tried to understand Word Art without much success (there were two of us and neither could figure it out!).

I also want to know how to enlarge a photo to 12x12 and then "fade" it so I can print it on white cardstock and use it for a background. I use PSE (Photoshop Elements 7.0). The two of us tried to figure this one out but couldn't. The other gal has a lesser photo program that allows it, and I know Front Page does it for websites (don't think my edition of that will work with Vista). I could buy the program she has but hate to spend the money for a single function....

[Kim Newberg aka imagesbykim]

Hi Shanna,

Welcome to PDA!

Well first of all if you have Photoshop Elements, you have an excellent editing program you dont need to buy anything else.

Learning photo shop is not so easy, you need to play around in it for a bit to get used to it.

My suggestion would be to go to a photoshop site and check out the forums, Most forums have great tips for learning different techniques.

I use a very old version of photoshop so to try and help you in a message would be difficult because I am sure many of the tools are different or newer than what I have,

I also use photo impact, paint shop, and several other editing programs to do different things.

Here is what I could suggest as quick tips that may help you..

To enlarge an image you would have to change the dpi/ppi so for an image 12 x 12 if you want to print it, I would say the lowest ppi would be about 150 pxl per inch.

Depending on your image you would change it be 1800 x 1800 pxl. This may distort your image depending on the original size and resolution. You may have to crop it to a perfect square before enlarging it.

As for fading, there are many effects that come with your program that will allow this. I would suggest reading through the help topics right on the program. Check out the effects button, it may be called something else but close to that.

Again the best is to read, and check out photo shop forums. Or find someone that can show you a few tricks to get you started. Maybe look for a few couses there are many available on line as well your local school may offer some mini courses. Try google search: photoshop tutorials and you will seee a vast amount of places to go and learn.

Hope this helps

((((hugs))))
kim

[shanna elmer]

Thanx for the suggestions, Kim. I tried this with the Word Art and found nothing but will try it with fading a photo.

[Jessie]

Hi Kim and Shanna! I use Photoshop elements, and to be honest, at first I thought I had wasted my money on this program! I was very intimidated by the program. After finally deciding to just jump in and experiment, I have become a Photoshop junkie!

Just thought I would throw out a couple of things that I've learned through trial and error. When I want to create a larger copy of an image, I usually just copy and paste the original onto a new file with the desired "canvas". Then I use the free transform tool to adjust the size to fit. After you get your photo resized, look over to the right, and you should find a slide bar with an option to reduce the opacity. That should give you the desired faded effect that you are looking for.

Re: changing the shape of your text, I used the "create warped text" tool in Photoshop. There are several options in this tool, and I like to experiment with them until I get the desired effect. When creating an oval, you might want to try creating two text layers, and arc each of them (one up, one down) until together the two layers create your oval. Remember that you can also free transform the text layers, if you need to fine tune.

There may be better ways to do all this, but I tend to make my own rules! :-)

Hope this makes sense!