Text in a Shape

This tutorial will show you how to make text in a particular shape in Photoshop.

1.  Select a Preset Shape.  I have chosen the default heart shape (Heart Card) that comes with Photoshop.  If you want to see it, then choose a color for it, but the color does not matter.

2.  On your open canvas, draw out the shape to the desired size.

3.  Select the text tool and hover in the middle of the shape.  The tool should develop a circle.

4.  Click and type your text in your chosen color.

5.  Hide the layer with the preset shape by clicking the eye for that layer in the Layer palette.

The text is now complete. You can delete the shape path in the Paths palette, if desired.

Easy Journal Blocks

This tutorial will show you how to quickly make journal blocks using preset shapes that come with Photoshop.

1.  Go to the Preset Shapes Tool and choose a preset shape.  I am using the Frame shapes which come with Photoshop.  If they are not loaded, you can load them by clicking the triangle and then selecting 'Frames' from the dropdown menu.

If prompted to replace, click 'OK' to replace or click 'Append' to add them to the existing shapes.

2.  I am using Frame 04.  Set the color to black (because all the journal block examples I saw on the internet were black).

3.  Draw out the shape.

4.  In the Path palette, select the shape layer if it isn't selected and then click the button for 'Load Path as a Selection'.

5.  Shift + Ctrl + I to invert the selection.

6.  In the Path palette, click the button for 'Make work path from Selection'.

7.  Select the text tool and hover in the empty middle of the shape.  The tool should develop a circle.

8.  Select a font that has an underscore (some free fonts on the internet may not).  I chose Tahoma.  Set the color to black.

9.  Type the underscore multiple times to create lines. If the lines go too close to the edge of the shape, then hit return then continue typing the underscore character for the next line.

10.  In the Path palette, select the work path and then click the trash can to delete it.  The journaling block is now complete.

Text on a Path

I have used paths to curve text in previous tutorials, but I thought I would go through the steps to make very simple curved text in Photoshop.

1.  First, it is necessary to generate the curved path on which the text will sit.  The easiest way to do this is to create a circle or an ellipse using the Ellipse Tool.  Make sure that 'Paths' is selected in the tool bar.

2.  Select the Text Tool.  This tutorial covers the location of the text when the text is Centered, so make 'Center Text' is selected.

 3.  Hover the Text Tool over the Path.  The tool should develop a curved line through it.

 4.  Click on the path and a blinking cursor should appear.  You can now type your text.

Here are examples as to what happens depending on where you click.

Top

Left

Right

Bottom

5.  In the Path tab, highlight the Work Path and then click the trashcan to delete it.

The curved text is now complete.

Rivet in Photoshop

This tutorial will show you how to make a rivet in Photoshop.

1.  Open up a new canvas.  Mine is 200 x 200.

2.  Select the Ellipse Tool and draw out a circle on the canvas.  To make it easy, in Ellipse Options, check 'Circle'.  Make the circle white.

3.  Go to Layer Styles and set a Metallic Gradient Overlay for the layer.  If you don't have a metallic gradient, you can use the defaults ones that come with PS by clicking on the triangle (or set of menu bars depending on version) and then selecting 'Metals' from the dropdown menu.

4.  When asked, you can either click 'Ok' to replace your existing gradients or 'Append' to add it to your existing gradients.  I chose 'Append'.

5.  I am using the 'Silver' gradient at 100%.  Set the gradient to an angle of 125^o.

6.  Add a dark Inner Shadow.

Blend Mode = Multiply
Color = #000000
Opacity = 85
Angle = -45
Use Global Light = Checked
Distance = 15
Choke = 0
Size = 15
Contour = Linear
Anti-aliased = Unchecked
Noise = 0

7.  Add a light Inner Glow.

Blend Mode = Screen
Opacity = 85
Noise = 0
Color = #FFFFFF
Technique = Softer
Source = Edge
Choke = 5
Size = 15
Contour = Half Round
Anti-aliased = UnChecked
Range = 50
Noise = 0

8.  With the Ellipse Tool, draw another circle.  Make it smaller than the first circle.

9.  With the Ellipse Tool, draw a third circle which is smaller than the second circle.

10.  Select all the layers (Ctrl + Alt + A).

11.  Select the Move Tool and click 'Align Vertical Centers'.

12.  Next click 'Align Horizontal Centers'.

13.  Select the middle ellipse (the second shape layer) and turn off the Gradient Overlay by clicking the eye next to the layer effect.

14.  Go to the Inner Glow Effect and change the Blend Mode to Multiply and the color to Black.  Reduce the Opacity to 65% and increase the size.  I increased to 65 pixels, but if you have a larger rivet, then increase even more.

Blend Mode = Multiply
Opacity = 85
Noise = 0
Color = #000000
Technique = Softer
Source = Edge
Choke = 5
Size = 65
Contour = Linear
Anti-aliased = UnChecked
Range = 50
Noise = 0

The plain rivet is now complete.  The following steps detail how to add text around the edge.

15.  Optional.  On the Path tab, select the path containing the shape.

16.  Optional.  Select the Text Tool and hover over the path until a line appears through the tool.

17.  Optional.  Type out your text.  Make sure it is white.

18.  Optional.  Go to the Move Tool and use it to increase the size of the text 110%. If you keep the same center (X, Y) as the original path, this will also move the text out and away from the edge of the dark inset.

For illustration purposes, I have left my text black so that it is easier to see.

19.  Optional.  Copy the layer style from the second ellipse.

20.  Optional.  Paste the layer style to the text layer.

21.  Optional.  On styles for the text layer, reduce the size of the inner glow.

Blend Mode = Multiply
Opacity = 65
Noise = 0
Color = #000000
Technique = Softer
Source = Edge
Choke = 5
Size = 15
Contour = Linear
Anti-aliased = UnChecked
Range = 50
Noise = 0

22.  Optional.  Reduce the distance of the Inner Shadow.

Blend Mode = Multiply
Color = #000000
Opacity = 85
Angle = -45
Use Global Light = Checked
Distance = 0
Choke = 0
Size = 15
Contour = Linear
Anti-aliased = Unchecked
Noise = 0

The rivet is now complete.