Page #223 (182. Make a Photograph Look Like Andy Warhol Painted It)

Chapter 24. Adding and Embellishing Text

IN THIS CHAPTER:

183 Add a Text Caption or Label

184 Bend Text

185 Create a Sales Sign

186 Add a Backscreen Behind Text

187 Create Metallic Text

188 Create Text That Glows

189 Emboss Text

190 Fill Text with an Image

191 Add Copyright Information

You add text to an image using one of the Type tools: the Horizontal Type, Vertical Type, Horizontal Type Mask, or Vertical Type Mask tool. You'll use the Type tools to add text; you'll use the Type Mask tools to create a selection in the shape of text on the current layer, just as you do with any other selection tool. I often use a text selection to mask a fill or adjustment layer (see 100 Mask an Adjustment or Fill Layer) or on a clipping mask (see 163 Mask an Image Layer), or as a selection I can use to copy or cut data or fill with another image (see 90 Copy Data into a Selected Area).

NOTE

You can add text to any image you create or modify in the Editor. Even so, the Editor will never be mistaken for a word processorwhich means that the kind of text you create with its tools is the short, decorative kind. You might add text to a card or invitation, an image copyright, callout or quote; or you might make it large and apply artistic effects to make the text a feature element.

When you add regular text to an image (as opposed to a text selection), a text layer is automatically created for it. A text layer can contain only vector text. Vector data, you might recall, is not displayed on screen as a set of pixels, but rendered instead using a formula. This means that the text content, style, size, and position on the layer can be changed over and over as needed, by simply selecting and retyping the text, making different choices from the Options bar, or using the Move tool (see 99 Move, Resize, Skew, or Distort a Layer).

Although Photoshop Elements provides some effects you can apply to vector text, your choices are limited mostly to layer styles and specific text effects. To apply pixel-based commands such as a brightness or contrast adjustment, edit with a painting tool such as the Brush, or apply filters or non-text effects (such as Motion Blur, Liquify, or Bricks) to text, you must convert the vector text to raster (bitmapped) data. See 96 Simplify a Layer for more information on converting a text layer to a regular layer.

In this chapter, you will learn how to add text to an image and modify the text later on. You will learn how you can use special effects to make the text look metallic or embossed. You will also learn how to fill the text with an image.