How to Draw the Outline of a Shape With Photoshop Elements

Choosing Your Shape and Image

When it comes to creating an outline of a shape in Photoshop Elements, the first step is selecting the right shape and image to work with. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Choose a shape: Consider the purpose and style of your project. Are you looking for a simple outline or a more intricate design? Photoshop Elements offers a variety of shape tools, including rectangles, circles, polygons, and custom shapes. Select the shape tool that best fits your vision.
Find an image: Decide on the image you want to use as the base for your outline. It can be a photograph, a graphic, or even a text. Make sure the image is high-resolution and has clear lines and edges that will be easy to trace. If you don’t have a suitable image, you can find royalty-free images online or create your own in Photoshop Elements.
Consider the composition: Take a moment to think about how the shape and image will work together. Do you want the shape to encompass the entire image or only a portion of it? By adjusting the size and position of the shape, you can create different effects and focal points within your design.

Remember, the shape and image you choose will greatly impact the final outcome of your outline. Take your time to experiment with different combinations until you find the perfect match.

Opening Photoshop Elements and Creating a New Document

Once you have chosen your shape and image, it’s time to open Photoshop Elements and start creating your outline. Follow these steps to get started:

Launch Photoshop Elements: Locate the Photoshop Elements application on your computer and double-click to launch it. Wait for the program to load, and you’ll be greeted with the welcome screen.
Create a new document: Click on the “New” button on the welcome screen to create a new document. Alternatively, you can go to File > New > Blank File. This will open the “New Document” dialog box.
Set up the document: In the “New Document” dialog box, you can specify the size, resolution, and other settings for your document. Enter the desired dimensions for your outline and choose the appropriate units (pixels, inches, etc.). If you’re unsure, you can select a preset size from the drop-down menu, such as “Letter” or “Web.” Make sure the background is set to transparent.
Click “OK” to create the document: Once you’re satisfied with the document settings, click the “OK” button. Photoshop Elements will create a new document with the specified dimensions and a transparent background.

Opening Photoshop Elements and creating a new document are the essential first steps in the process of creating your outline. This provides you with a blank canvas to work with and sets the foundation for your entire project.

Selecting the Shape Tool and Choosing the Outline Style

Once you have your document prepared, it’s time to select the shape tool and choose the outline style that best suits your project. Here’s how to do it:

Select the shape tool: In the toolbar on the left side of the Photoshop Elements interface, you’ll find the shape tools. Click on the icon that represents the shape tool you want to use. The most commonly used shape tools are the rectangle, ellipse, and polygon tools.
Choose the outline style: With the shape tool selected, you’ll see a variety of options in the options bar at the top of the screen. One of these options is the outline style. Click on the drop-down menu next to “Outline” to choose the style you want. You can select options such as solid, dashed, dotted, or custom patterns.
Adjust the outline width: To further customize the outline style, you can adjust the width of the outline. Use the “Weight” slider in the options bar to increase or decrease the thickness of the outline. Experiment with different widths to find the one that works best for your design.
Activate the shape tool: Once you have selected your shape and outline style, click and drag on the canvas to create the shape. Holding down the Shift key while dragging will help you maintain proportionate shapes. Release the mouse button to finalize the shape.

By selecting the shape tool and choosing the outline style, you can create the basic structure of your outline. These customization options allow you to tailor the outline to match the overall style and tone of your project.

Adjusting the Shape’s Size and Position

Once you have created your shape, it’s important to adjust its size and position to fit your desired outcome. Here are the steps to help you make these adjustments:

Select the shape: Use the Move tool (V) from the toolbar to select the shape you want to resize or reposition. Click on the shape to activate it.
Resize the shape: To adjust the size of the shape, go to the options bar at the top of the screen. You will find width and height fields that display the current dimensions of the shape. Enter the desired measurements or use the corner handles of the shape to drag and resize it proportionally. Holding down the Shift key while resizing will maintain the shape’s aspect ratio.
Reposition the shape: To change the position of the shape within the canvas, click and drag the shape to the desired location. You can move it freely or use the arrow keys on your keyboard for more precise movements. Alternatively, you can enter specific X and Y coordinates in the options bar.
Transform the shape: If you need to further adjust the shape, you can use the Transform options. Go to Edit > Transform > Free Transform (Ctrl/Cmd + T). This will allow you to scale, rotate, skew, or distort the shape as needed. Use the handles and controls that appear around the shape to make the desired modifications.

By adjusting the size and position of the shape, you can achieve the desired composition and layout for your outline. Play around with different sizes and positions until you find the perfect balance within your design.

Customizing the Outline Color and Opacity

To make your outline stand out and suit your design preferences, it’s important to customize the color and opacity of the outline. Here’s how you can achieve this in Photoshop Elements:

Select the outline: Use the Move tool (V) from the toolbar to select the shape with the outline. Click on the outline to activate it.
Access the outline options: In the options bar at the top of the screen, you’ll find various customization settings. Look for the “Stroke” options, which allow you to modify the color and opacity of the outline.
Choose the outline color: Click on the color swatch next to the “Stroke” options to open the color picker. Select a color that complements your design by clicking on it or entering its code. You can choose a solid color, use gradients, or even apply patterns as the outline color.
Adjust the outline opacity: Use the opacity slider or input field to control the transparency of the outline. Moving the slider to the left will decrease the opacity, making the outline more transparent, while moving it to the right will increase the opacity, making the outline more solid and opaque.
Experiment with blending modes: Blend modes can further enhance the appearance of the outline. In the options bar, next to the opacity field, you’ll find a drop-down menu that lists various blending modes. Each blending mode produces a different effect, so try out different options to see which one works best for your design.

By customizing the color and opacity of the outline, you can add depth, contrast, and visual interest to your design. Experiment with different color schemes and transparencies to achieve the desired effect.

Drawing the Outline Around the Shape

With your shape and outline style customized, it’s time to draw the outline around the shape in Photoshop Elements. Follow these steps to complete this crucial part of the process:

Select the shape: Use the Move tool (V) from the toolbar to select the shape you want to outline. Click on the shape to activate it.
Activate the Stroke Layer Style: In the Layers panel, find the layer containing the shape. Right-click on the layer and select “Blending Options” to open the Layer Style dialog box. Alternatively, you can go to Layer > Layer Style > Blending Options.
Apply the outline: In the Layer Style dialog box, check the “Stroke” option to apply an outline to your shape. Here, you can adjust the size, position, and alignment of the outline. Use the sliders or input fields to modify these settings until you achieve the desired look.
Customize the outline: Additionally, you can further customize the outline by adjusting parameters like opacity, blend mode, and color. These options allow you to create unique effects and tailor the outline to suit your design preferences.
Preview and finalize: As you make changes to the outline settings, you can preview how they affect the shape in real-time. Make sure to carefully review and evaluate the appearance of the outline before finalizing the adjustments.

By drawing the outline around the shape, you give it a defined and distinguishable appearance. Take your time to experiment with different settings and find the perfect balance and style for your outline.

Erasing Unwanted Parts of the Outline

After drawing the outline around the shape, you may find that there are certain parts that you want to remove or erase. Photoshop Elements provides tools and techniques that allow you to refine and clean up your outline. Here’s how you can remove unwanted parts of the outline:

Select the Eraser tool: Locate the Eraser tool (E) in the toolbar on the left side of the Photoshop Elements interface. Click on it to select it as your active tool.
Adjust the Eraser settings: In the options bar at the top of the screen, you’ll find various settings for the Eraser tool. You can adjust the brush size, hardness, and opacity to suit your specific needs. For fine details, use a smaller brush size, while for larger areas, a bigger brush size may be more appropriate.
Erase parts of the outline: With the Eraser tool selected, click and drag it over the unwanted parts of the outline. This will erase the pixels within the brush area, effectively removing the outline from those areas. Take your time and work carefully to achieve precise and clean results.
Use the Undo command: If you make a mistake while erasing, don’t worry. You can use the Undo command (Ctrl/Cmd + Z) to revert the changes and restore the erased parts of the outline. This allows you to maintain complete control over the editing process.

By erasing unwanted parts of the outline, you can refine your design, remove any imperfections, and create a more polished appearance. Use the Eraser tool strategically to achieve the desired level of precision and accuracy in your outline.

Saving and Exporting Your Image

Once you have completed the outline and made any necessary refinements, it’s time to save and export your image from Photoshop Elements. Here’s how you can ensure your design is preserved and ready for use:

Save your Photoshop Elements project: To keep an editable version of your work, go to File > Save or use the shortcut Ctrl/Cmd + S. Save your project in PSD format to retain all the layers, effects, and adjustments you’ve made. This allows you to make further changes in the future if needed.
Export as a high-resolution image: If you want to share or use your outline as a standalone image, you’ll need to export it. Go to File > Export > Export As or use the shortcut Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Alt + S. In the Export As dialog box, choose the desired file format (such as PNG or JPEG) and adjust the quality and size settings to your preference. Ensure that you export the image at a high resolution for optimal clarity and detail.
Naming and selecting the destination: Give your exported image a descriptive and meaningful name to easily identify it. Choose a location on your computer where you want to save the file. Consider creating a dedicated folder for your project to keep all related files organized.
Confirm and save: Double-check your export settings, such as file format, quality, and resolution. Once you are satisfied, click the “Save” or “Export” button to generate the final image file. Wait for the export process to complete, and you’ll have a standalone image of your outline.

Saving and exporting your image ensures that your work is preserved and ready for sharing, printing, or further manipulation. Remember to keep a backup of your original project file (PSD) for future editing and adjustments, if necessary.