Double Stroke in Photoshop

[cephasjames]

Is it possible to do a double stroke (or stroke on top of a stroke) in Photoshop? I've seen people do texts with two strokes before but I haven't figured out an easy way to do it. Thanks.

[Gern44]

Have your original image/text in 1 layer. Add a new layer under the original.

Select the new layer, then Ctrl Click on the original image/text layer. This should give you the 'marching ants' selection image in the shape of your image/text.

I then go to Edit, Stroke and select somewhere between 2 and 4 pixels size and select the Center option. I prefer Center because it gives a more complete fill then the outside or inside options.

if Im doing 2 outline (stroke) layers, I add another new layer under the two existing ones. I select the new layer and again Ctrl Click on the orginal to get the marching ants selection outline.

I then do the Edit, Stroke thing again, but I select a pixel size thats 2 to 4 pixels larger than the size i choose for the first outline.

When im happy with the two stroke layers, I merge the Original and the two strokes.

[cephasjames]

Awesome! Thanks!

EDIT: You have just changed my world.

[dcpcarmona]

wondering if this is possible in GIMP?

dcc

[cephasjames]

Originally Posted by dcpcarmona

wondering if this is possible in GIMP?

dcc

Yes. It's actually quite similar. When I get a chance I'll do a write up.

[cephasjames]

For GIMP:

Layer 1 is the original layer.
Add New Layer 1. Drop it below Layer 1.
On Layer 1 do Layer > Transparency > Alpha to Selection (this will select the outline of the logo on Layer 1).
On Layer 1 do Select > Grow. Set the number of pixels you want it to grow (this will make the select line grow).
On New Layer 1 bucket fill whatever color you want.

For a second stroke:
Add New Layer 2. Drop it below New Layer 1.
On New Layer 1 do Layer > Transparency > Alpha to Selection (this will select the outline of the logo on Layer 1).
On New Layer 1 do Select > Grow. Set the number of pixels you want it to grow (this will make the select line grow).
On New Layer 2 bucket fill whatever color you want.

Merge all layers.

[kq76]

I've known about the whole multiple layers thing, but this center, inside, outside thing I don't. I just looked for something similar in PSP, but if there is I can't find it. What exactly is the difference? It seems that, with PSP, the higher the stroke width you use the more it grows outside and inside the image. Is that basically what Photoshop does with its center option?

Do you ever "feather" text to make an outline? That was the first way I learned, but something tells me the layered technique is preferrable.

Also, do you prefer sharp or smooth anti-aliasing? I think sharp looks better, but I have difficulty trusting my own judgement when it comes to making graphics.

Finally, it seems that a lot, if not all, jerseys use at least some stroke to their team name scripts. What do you recommend for a team that only has a 2 color scheme? No stroke or a stroke using the main jersey color? Personally, I think the latter as then the script doesn't seem to glow so much like with white on navy. It also helps distinguish it from stripes if they're the same color.

[davwms]

The way I do it sometimes is to use stroke, then also use outer glow and drop shadow for other outlines.

Set those to 100% opacity, blend mode to normal, and spread to 90-100. 90 will smooth the edge. Then increase the size as needed.

With thicker fonts, I sometimes will set the stroke position to inside or center...

This tends to work best with rounded fonts. It tends to round off corners.

[davwms]

Originally Posted by kq76

I've known about the whole multiple layers thing, but this center, inside, outside thing I don't. I just looked for something similar in PSP, but if there is I can't find it. What exactly is the difference? It seems that, with PSP, the higher the stroke width you use the more it grows outside and inside the image. Is that basically what Photoshop does with its center option?

Yes.

Originally Posted by kq76

Do you ever "feather" text to make an outline? That was the first way I learned, but something tells me the layered technique is preferrable.

To me, feathering doesn't give the crisp outline that I would want.

Originally Posted by kq76

Also, do you prefer sharp or smooth anti-aliasing? I think sharp looks better, but I have difficulty trusting my own judgement when it comes to making graphics.

I tend to use smooth or strong. As long as the lines don't look jagged. But, whatever you like better should be what you use, I think.

Originally Posted by kq76

Finally, it seems that a lot, if not all, jerseys use at least some stroke to their team name scripts. What do you recommend for a team that only has a 2 color scheme? No stroke or a stroke using the main jersey color? Personally, I think the latter as then the script doesn't seem to glow so much like with white on navy. It also helps distinguish it from stripes if they're the same color.

For teams with just one color I will usually outline in the jersey color for the same reason that you suggest, so that the jersey piping or pinstripes don't blend into the script.

[cephasjames]

Originally Posted by davwms

The way I do it sometimes is to use stroke, then also use outer glow and drop shadow for other outlines.

Set those to 100% opacity, blend mode to normal, and spread to 90-100. 90 will smooth the edge. Then increase the size as needed.

With thicker fonts, I sometimes will set the stroke position to inside or center...

This tends to work best with rounded fonts. It tends to round off corners.

I like this too. I'll fiddle with it and see if I can figure it out. Thanks!

[micropterus58]

There is one trick you can do if you do not want the center to expand such as the inside of an 'O' or 'R'. The outside layer should be the lowest layer. Adjust the outline or stroke as you want it. Then convert the lowest vector text layer to raster and erase the center section. Now the stroke will show only on the outside.

I sometimes use the feather tool to make outlines on logos. But it usually creates a gradient that is too wide. What I do is make a selection (using the magic wand) of the original logo, create a new raster layer below it and flood fill it with the outline color. This will probably have ugly edges. You can anti-alias it if that tool is available or add a slight bit of blur to the outline layer. This will smoothen the edges. This can also be used for letters.

[dcpcarmona]

Originally Posted by cephasjames

For GIMP:

Layer 1 is the original layer.
Add New Layer 1. Drop it below Layer 1.
On Layer 1 do Layer > Transparency > Alpha to Selection (this will select the outline of the logo on Layer 1).
On Layer 1 do Select > Grow. Set the number of pixels you want it to grow (this will make the select line grow).
On New Layer 1 bucket fill whatever color you want.

For a second stroke:
Add New Layer 2. Drop it below New Layer 1.
On New Layer 1 do Layer > Transparency > Alpha to Selection (this will select the outline of the logo on Layer 1).
On New Layer 1 do Select > Grow. Set the number of pixels you want it to grow (this will make the select line grow).
On New Layer 2 bucket fill whatever color you want.

Merge all layers.

thanks for the info, but not quite getting it...can you do a step by step using the team logo of MILLERS?

thanks,

dcc

[cephasjames]

Originally Posted by dcpcarmona

thanks for the info, but not quite getting it...can you do a step by step using the team logo of MILLERS?

thanks,

dcc

1) Open up MILLERS in GIMP. GIMP will call this layer Background. SEE BELOW
2) Add a New Layer and move it below Background.
3) On Background layer, go to Layer > Transparency > Alpha to Selection (this will give you the "dancing ants" around the MILLERS logo) SEE BELOW
4) On Background layer, go to Select > Grow and type in however many pixels you want the border to be. I usually do anywhere from 2 to 4 (I chose 9 to demonstrate), but you can play with it. This will move the dancing that many pixels away from the outline of MILLERS. SEE BELOW
5) On New Layer, Bucket Fill inside the dancing ants whatever color you want the border (I chose white). SEE BELOW

6) For a second border simply repeat every step but using New Layer instead of Background and New Layer#1 instead of New Layer. SEE BELOW
7) Save, there's no need to merge them because when you save it will do it for you.


EDIT: With a logo like MILLERS where it touches the edge of the area I would shrink it first, using Layer > Shrink layer, to something like 142x142 to make room for the border to go all the way around.

[dcpcarmona]

what can i say, i'm a bit slow and need visual cues to help me understand things sometimes. thanks for the comprehensive demo!!!

dcc

[cephasjames]

Originally Posted by dcpcarmona

what can i say, i'm a bit slow and need visual cues to help me understand things sometimes. thanks for the comprehensive demo!!!

dcc

You're welcome. Some people need visuals, others don't. That's cool.