Learn how to make this fading outline effect that works with every font I've tried it on.

 

 

1

a. Open a new document, 6 x 1.5 inches.

b. Make some text. It needs to be fairly large for this effect to work. The font really doesn't matter.

 

 

2

a. Hold Ctrl and click on the text layer to load its selection.

b. Click on the Paths Tab in the Layers Pallete. If you don't see it go to Window>Paths

c. Click on the button at the bottom that says "Make Work Path from Selection" when you hold the mouse over it.

 

 

3

a. Select the Path Selection Tool (A) and click and drag over the canvas to select the path you just made.

b. Now go back to the Layers Pallete and make a new layer. Then click on the Brush Tool (B). Right click on the canvas to get the brush selection menu, select this brush:

 

 

4

a. Select the Path Selection Tool (A) again and right click on the canvas. Choose Stroke Path... from the menu that comes up.

b. Use these settings to stroke the path.

 

 

5

a. Hide you delete your original text layer then hold Ctrl and click on the layer you just stroked on to load its selection.

b. Make a new layer then go to Edit>Stroke...

use these settings

c. Now hide the layer that you had previously loaded the selection of by clicking on the little eye next to it in the layers palette.

Pretty cool effect in my opinion. I had never used the Paths Palette before today. It's always exciting to learn another aspect of a program I know so well. This is a pretty simple effect but It could have some pretty interesting uses I think. Here is one I came up with:

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