PhotoImpact 12 has several preset work modes. For this tutorial, we will be using the Full Edit mode so all of the tools in PhotoImpact will be available to you.

As you work, use your mouse to drag this along with you to mark your place.

LET'S GET STARTED

The easiest way to make Outlined text in PhotoImpact is to simply check the Border option on the Text tool menu and set the desired width and color.

This will result in text that looks like the example below.

This tutorial is going to take you beyond the ordinary and show you new ways to create outlined text that will have different results using each method.

These are general instructions for preparing your text and for adjusting the spacing between the letters (character spacing). Please refer to this section for each of the methods used to create outlined text.

1. Open a new image, 400x400 (or your favorite size).

2. Click on the Text Tool. This will activate the Text Panel and change the attributes on the menu bar to those available when using the Text tool.
   

3. Select a font from the drop-down menu. Pick a thick one for best results. This example uses Rockwell Extra Bold. Set the size about 40.

4. Click anywhere in your new image and type your text.

5. You will probably want to widen the space between the letters so you have room to add a border. To do this, use the Pick tool to click on the text, then right-click and select Edit Text from the menu. Right-click on the text and pick Select All. This will put a box around the text.
   

6. On the Text Panel change the character spacing by clicking on the up arrow button. You will see it change as you change the values. Change it to suit your own taste.
   

For the exercises that follow, you might want to make several copies of your text (CTRL+D) or you can re-do the steps here to create new text for each exercise.

1. Open a new window and prepare your text as per above.

2. Click on your text using the Pick tool to select it, Right-click\Duplicate.

3. Apply a color to the second copy of your text or use a fill pattern or preset from the Easy Palette Galleries.
   

4. Click on the second copy of your text to select it. Using the menu attributes, change the color to black, change the mode to 3D pipe.

5. On the Path Panel, change the Width to either 1 or 2. Leave the Depth at 30.

6. Your image should look like this:
   

7. Using the Pick tool, hold down the CTRL key and click on both of your images. Click on the last Align icon (centering box) to center your text images on top of one another.
   

8. Right-Click\Merge as Single Object. The results will look like this:
   

1. Open a new window and prepare your text as per above.

2. Apply a color to the second copy of your text or use a fill pattern or preset from the Easy Palette Galleries.

3. Click on the Paintbrush tool. Set the color to black, set the size to 2 and the soft edge to 3 (set size to a higher number for wider edge).

4. On the menu, click on Effect\Creative\Paint on Edges. The first image below is before the Paint on Edges, the second one is the end result.
   

1. Open a new window and prepare your text as per above.

2. Click on your text using the Pick tool to select it, Right-click\Duplicate.

3. Apply a color to the second copy of your text or use a fill pattern or preset from the Easy Palette Galleries.

4. Click the first image with the Pick tool to make it active. Click the Text tool to activate the attributes on the menu.

5. Change the Mode on the attribute bar to 3D Round. Click on the Material Options folder on the menu bar.
   

6. Click on Bevel Settings tab. Change the Width to 3. Change the Bevel outline from in to out. This will expand the borders of the text a slight bit. Click Okay.
   

7. Center one image over the other as you did in Method #1 (with black image on bottom). The results should look similar to the one below. The difference in this method and just simply adding a border is, the outline has a 3D effect.
   

1. Open a new window and prepare your text as per above.

2. Click on your text using the Pick tool to select it, Right-click\Duplicate.

3. Apply a color to the second copy of your text or use a fill pattern or preset from the Easy Palette Galleries.

4. Use the Pick tool to select the remaining copy of your text.

5. Click on the text tool to activate the Text Panel. On the Text Panel, select Outlined Text, and color black. Your text will change to a black outline.
   

6. Use the Pick tool and center the two objects as you did in Method #1. This will result in a much thinner outline.
   

1. Open a new window and prepare your text as per above.

2. Apply a color to your text or use a fill pattern or preset from the Easy Palette Galleries.

3. Click on Web\Button Designer - Any Shape. Change the Bevel Size to 6 (or whatever you like) and check the Outer box. Accept all other defaults and Click Okay.
   
4. This method produces a "thicker" type text. The wider the bevel size, the wider the border.
   

1. Open a new window and prepare your text as per above.

2. Click the text tool to active the menu bar options (if not already active).

3. Right-Click the color square on the menu bar and pick Gradient fill. On the Gradient Fill screen, Pick the 2-color fill and click on the Gradient box. Select the two colors of your choice.
   

4. This will give a much softer effect with just a hint of color in the center areas of the text.
   

1. Open a new window and prepare your text as per above.

2. Click on your text using the Pick tool to select it, Right-click\Duplicate.

3. Apply a color to the second copy of your text or use a fill pattern or preset from the Easy Palette Galleries.

4. Use the Pick tool to select the remaining copy of your text.

5. Click the Text tool to activate the attributes on the menu and change the Mode on the attribute bar to Selection.
   

6. Right click on the selection and choose Border.

7. On the Border menu, set the border width to desired width (3 is good). Set the direction to Outward, Shape to Box, and make sure anti-aliasing is checked. Click Ok. The image will have a small expanded area around the selection.
   
   

8. Use the Bucket Fill tool and fill edge with a color of your choice or click on Edit\Fill and fill with a pattern or image.

9. Right-click\Convert to Object.

10. Use the Pick tool and center the two objects as you did in Method #1. The outlined text should be under the filled text. A variation is to slightly offset the top text so the white shows through.
    

These methods all have a slightly different end result - it's up to you to decide which you like best.

1. Type some text - any color, any font. Right-click to edit, Right-click to Select All. On the Text panel, change the Rotate value to 30 - watch your text slant! Try clicking on Vertical too - this is another very nice text feature.

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