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Draw a circle and be able to determine border width..HELP
- Thread starter billyz
- Start date
Welcome Billy! All you need to do is make a circular selection with the marquee tool. And stroke it.
First, grab the circlular marquee from the upper left hand corner of your tools pallette, hold down shift, and draw your circle. Then go to Edit-> Stroke and enter the width of the stroke/border.
First, grab the circlular marquee from the upper left hand corner of your tools pallette, hold down shift, and draw your circle. Then go to Edit-> Stroke and enter the width of the stroke/border.
Hi billyz
Well, one way is to use the oval marquee tool (red arrow points to it). Choose the tool which might be hidden 'behind' the rectangular marquee tool as it shares the same placement in the tools. If the rectangular marquee tool is showing click and hold for a second and the other 'hidden' tools will be shown and available for choosing. Hold down the shift key as you draw out the marquee (select marquee tool, mouse click, hold down the mouse button and drag) and the marquee will be constrained to a circle. Then go to the menu bar Edit > Stroke... and the stroke dialog will appear giving you the options which you seek.
The picture I've included should help, I think.
Well, one way is to use the oval marquee tool (red arrow points to it). Choose the tool which might be hidden 'behind' the rectangular marquee tool as it shares the same placement in the tools. If the rectangular marquee tool is showing click and hold for a second and the other 'hidden' tools will be shown and available for choosing. Hold down the shift key as you draw out the marquee (select marquee tool, mouse click, hold down the mouse button and drag) and the marquee will be constrained to a circle. Then go to the menu bar Edit > Stroke... and the stroke dialog will appear giving you the options which you seek.
The picture I've included should help, I think.
J
Josh
Guest
Never use selections to make circles; they don't make them perfectly round (look at attachment). Use path strokes instead.
Josh I agree with you that that is a better way and -- when you use paths you have to decide what you will stroke it with. Like if you use the paintbrush tool you have to set the size and softness - hardness and opacity- but the paths circle shape will give you a perfect circle.Paths are a little more involved for a beginner. 
Never say never...
You're right, Ferlin, paths are somewhat complicated for beginners. Also, many times selections do a more than adequate job for the situation.
Here is a selection circle created at 4x6" at 300dpi, stroked 3px from the center, reduced to approximately 1x1" at 72dpi, and then enlarged by 300% for the larger outer circle. As you see, the severe angulation of josh's example did not occur...
Like anything else, there are usually at least 3 ways to do something in Photoshop, with some techniques working better than others. But, that seldom creates "Never" or "Always" situations on how to approach the problem...If circular selections were so worthless as to "never" warrant their use, they wouldn't be one of the first tools on the PS toolbar, eh?
You're right, Ferlin, paths are somewhat complicated for beginners. Also, many times selections do a more than adequate job for the situation.
Here is a selection circle created at 4x6" at 300dpi, stroked 3px from the center, reduced to approximately 1x1" at 72dpi, and then enlarged by 300% for the larger outer circle. As you see, the severe angulation of josh's example did not occur...
Like anything else, there are usually at least 3 ways to do something in Photoshop, with some techniques working better than others. But, that seldom creates "Never" or "Always" situations on how to approach the problem...If circular selections were so worthless as to "never" warrant their use, they wouldn't be one of the first tools on the PS toolbar, eh?
billyz,
Each of us is correct here. As MsOz points out selections work just fine in many cases and are the easier solution. Josh is right that extremely wide strokes will show the flaw in the technique and is overall less desirable than using Paths. So here is a quick tutorial on how to use the path technique.
First you select the Ellipse tool (1) and go up to the tool options bar and select Paths (2). Now hold down the shift to constrain the oval to a perfect circle and click and drag your circle. You will see a little line representing the path. Now figure out what size stroke (width of border) you want and the color and set it up by choosing the brush tool (3) and selecting the color (3). When you select the brush you have to specify the size in the tool options bar which appears upon selecting the brush tool. Whew! Now go to the Paths Palette and the little button (4) is stroke with brush. Your path will be stroked with the brush size and color you chose in step three. One additional tip, if you hold down the option (alt) key when you click on the 'stroke path with brush' button a whole menu of options appears.
Cheers!
Each of us is correct here. As MsOz points out selections work just fine in many cases and are the easier solution. Josh is right that extremely wide strokes will show the flaw in the technique and is overall less desirable than using Paths. So here is a quick tutorial on how to use the path technique.
First you select the Ellipse tool (1) and go up to the tool options bar and select Paths (2). Now hold down the shift to constrain the oval to a perfect circle and click and drag your circle. You will see a little line representing the path. Now figure out what size stroke (width of border) you want and the color and set it up by choosing the brush tool (3) and selecting the color (3). When you select the brush you have to specify the size in the tool options bar which appears upon selecting the brush tool. Whew! Now go to the Paths Palette and the little button (4) is stroke with brush. Your path will be stroked with the brush size and color you chose in step three. One additional tip, if you hold down the option (alt) key when you click on the 'stroke path with brush' button a whole menu of options appears.
Cheers!
J
Josh
Guest
Re: Never say never...
If you want to use selections, that's ok... but then fill a selection and cut out the center, then you'll have a smooth thick line.
Another thing you have to be aware of; avoid using 'expand' and 'contract' if you want a smooth circular selection.
Try this; create a circular selection of 100 using 300dpi and expand or contract 20 pixels, you'll see what I mean...
It is important though to point out some possible problems you could run into.
Welles ,great short tutorial, my compliments!
One comment: the user has to make sure that the spacing for the brush is set to 1% (under 'Brush Tip Shape'), otherwise there might be a surprise (extreme example)
(attachment)
Yeah, but now you're comparing apples with oranges, I mean you compare a thick line with a thin one, that's why you don't see angulation.MsOz said:
If you want to use selections, that's ok... but then fill a selection and cut out the center, then you'll have a smooth thick line.
Another thing you have to be aware of; avoid using 'expand' and 'contract' if you want a smooth circular selection.
Try this; create a circular selection of 100 using 300dpi and expand or contract 20 pixels, you'll see what I mean...
Where do you read that we should never use circular selections? [confused]MsOz said:
It is important though to point out some possible problems you could run into.
Welles ,great short tutorial, my compliments!
One comment: the user has to make sure that the spacing for the brush is set to 1% (under 'Brush Tip Shape'), otherwise there might be a surprise (extreme example)
(attachment)MindBender
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This is generally how you build using marquee techniques. Set up guides in your document and build your graphics, then move them into position where you want them. That way you can use multiple marquees rather than...
...than expand and contract. These features are basically useless above values of one or two pixels. I swear, not a day goes by I don't hear this question: "How come my circle looks like an octogon when I expand and fill" Blah.
DPI has no bearing on pixel operations. The key element is the useful threshold of the expand and contract function. It is unable to do the math very well after a couple of pixels in either direction. But you'll get the same results at 10dpi as you will at 1000dpi.
Uhm, here?
J
Josh
Guest
Learn to read man, I never said that.MindBender said:
I wrote: "Try this; create a circular selection of 100 using 300dpi and expand or contract 20 pixels, you'll see what I mean... "
The reason why I came of with exact numbers was that people would see the same like me using the same 'settings'.
If you were that smart you would have corrected me on dpi which is incorrect. It should have been ppi
MindBender said:
Again you can't read (like in a different thread). I never used the word selections, I used the word 'circles', the same circles billyz was talking about in his first post, the same circles that are shown throughout this thread, but again you didn't take time to read, put you rather preferred to assume that I'm just plain stupid. :\Josh said:
I have a good suggestion for you Mindbender; spend a few hours on this site http://www.learntoread.com
8))
Josh, there is an old saying about "better to be thought of as stupid, rather than open your mouth and prove others right."
This forum is to share techniques and ideas, NOT for you to try to correct everyone here who does not look at things the same way you do.
You are being extremely rude and inflammatory by telling others they do not know how to read. Quite honestly, very few people besides yourself care about your opinions regarding how we read, how we interpret, or how we do or do not follow your advice. By insisting on posting simply to put down other's comments on how a technique may or may not be done, you are, in an indirect way, harrassing the rest of us who do not agree with you.
Additionally, your opinion is just that, YOUR opinion. And, like the rest of us here, you are fully entitled to it, and to keep or change your opinions as you see fit. BUT, you are not entitled to put down others for having a differing opinion, NOR are you entitled to throw around "commands" to others to "Never" or "Always" do ANYTHING. That is not only presumptuous on your part as to your level of skill, education, experience, or control over others, but it is also disrespectful to Mark, this Forum, and anyone who may not claim English as their primary language, or who may have reading problems, which some members do.
At the bottom of every page is a link to the Terms of Use for these Forums. Respect and Flexibility are the keywords. I suggest you click on that link and read it the next time you are tempted to tell someone they cannot read very well, or the next time you feel omnipotent and want to tell others to "never" or "always" do something.
And, while I'm on my little soapbox here, instead of telling all of us how much you know, and how good you are, the next time you're so full of directions and self-aggrandizement, why don't you post the techniques you dictate and provide some visual proof of all this knowledge of yours? Mark provides an excellent uploader for images, as you know by using it to tell everyone what NOT to do...
As far as the "dpi" "ppi" issue, it's moot unless you are printing. Maybe people don't want to attempt to tell you how "incorrect" you are, so as not to assume that you are "just plain stupid..." \:]
This forum is to share techniques and ideas, NOT for you to try to correct everyone here who does not look at things the same way you do.
You are being extremely rude and inflammatory by telling others they do not know how to read. Quite honestly, very few people besides yourself care about your opinions regarding how we read, how we interpret, or how we do or do not follow your advice. By insisting on posting simply to put down other's comments on how a technique may or may not be done, you are, in an indirect way, harrassing the rest of us who do not agree with you.
Additionally, your opinion is just that, YOUR opinion. And, like the rest of us here, you are fully entitled to it, and to keep or change your opinions as you see fit. BUT, you are not entitled to put down others for having a differing opinion, NOR are you entitled to throw around "commands" to others to "Never" or "Always" do ANYTHING. That is not only presumptuous on your part as to your level of skill, education, experience, or control over others, but it is also disrespectful to Mark, this Forum, and anyone who may not claim English as their primary language, or who may have reading problems, which some members do.
At the bottom of every page is a link to the Terms of Use for these Forums. Respect and Flexibility are the keywords. I suggest you click on that link and read it the next time you are tempted to tell someone they cannot read very well, or the next time you feel omnipotent and want to tell others to "never" or "always" do something.
And, while I'm on my little soapbox here, instead of telling all of us how much you know, and how good you are, the next time you're so full of directions and self-aggrandizement, why don't you post the techniques you dictate and provide some visual proof of all this knowledge of yours? Mark provides an excellent uploader for images, as you know by using it to tell everyone what NOT to do...
As far as the "dpi" "ppi" issue, it's moot unless you are printing. Maybe people don't want to attempt to tell you how "incorrect" you are, so as not to assume that you are "just plain stupid..." \:]
MindBender
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Yeah, I've got a couple good suggestions for you too, but I'm not going to turn this forum into a flame war. [shhh]
DUDE!!!!!! WHAT THE H@#L??????
Just read this thread, I'm still shocked!! [saywhat] Josh, where do you get off slamming ANYONE like that? We are here to try and help each other -- not slam them into their monitors!! Man, that WAS rude!!
You got wound up becauseyou THOUGHT someone mis-interpreted what you said! You flew off the handle at MindBender for no apparent reason other than to assuage your feelings -- AND YOU ARE WRONG! YOU DID SAY IT!! In the quote I highlighted the string!
THAT IS WHY WE HAVE THE QUOTE TAGS!! -- and learn to spell you illiterate... a*****e[upset]
To the others, please accept my apologies for replying like this! I will not stand idly by and let someone get slammed like that when they are right and the other is wrong!! I fully enjoy the forum and have respect for all those that have helped me thus far on my way to becoming a better graphical artist!! And to MsOz -- Well put:
Just read this thread, I'm still shocked!! [saywhat] Josh, where do you get off slamming ANYONE like that? We are here to try and help each other -- not slam them into their monitors!! Man, that WAS rude!!
You got wound up becauseyou THOUGHT someone mis-interpreted what you said! You flew off the handle at MindBender for no apparent reason other than to assuage your feelings -- AND YOU ARE WRONG! YOU DID SAY IT!! In the quote I highlighted the string!
THAT IS WHY WE HAVE THE QUOTE TAGS!! -- and learn to spell you illiterate... a*****e[upset]
To the others, please accept my apologies for replying like this! I will not stand idly by and let someone get slammed like that when they are right and the other is wrong!! I fully enjoy the forum and have respect for all those that have helped me thus far on my way to becoming a better graphical artist!! And to MsOz -- Well put:
Thank you for all of the intellectually stimulating conversations!
Hey mflintjer, don't worry about it. It's an old post, Josh has disappeared, and it's generally a good idea to let old flames die. Most all of us who participate here work to keep the forums friendly or at least civil.
Those rare times when that standard is lessened, usually apologies follow in short order or the rude person disappears. The best technique to let flames die is not to pile on. Of course if you really feel impelled to reply...have at it!
Those rare times when that standard is lessened, usually apologies follow in short order or the rude person disappears. The best technique to let flames die is not to pile on. Of course if you really feel impelled to reply...have at it!