PSE 9 Text

[placid_casual]

Hi,

Im a complete novice when it comes to PSE and on here to learn. I'm trying put some text into an object (a bike frame) which is running horizontally across the page from left to right, but the crossbar is coming out of the page form left to right. If you catch my drift. Left the text should be smaller and right where the text is closer to the viewer and the right hand side of the image should be larger. Is there a toll that will allow me to free form warp it to make look like its in perspective?

I've tried using the "warp text" tool but cant quite get the right angle and perspective.

All help will be greatly appreciated.

Ive just bought PSE 9 the missing manual by Barbara Bundage whilst its very informative it doesnt quite solve my problem. Probably user error!!

 

[Tegger]

Is this the effect you're after? "Warp text" may not be the right tool.

Make your elements, then convert them to "Smart Objects" by right-clicking on the layer listings. Convert your text into a Smart Object as well. Now select it with your "V" tool. Hit "Ctrl+T on your keyboard. RIGHT click on the text, and choose "Warp" from the menu. You get drag handles to play with. And since the object is "Smart", the distortions remain editable.

If you decide you want to change the colors, gradients, or other effects, edit the Smart Object by right-clicking on the layer listing.

 

[placid_casual]

View attachment 19344
Is this the effect you're after? "Warp text" may not be the right tool.

Make your elements, then convert them to "Smart Objects" by right-clicking on the layer listings. Convert your text into a Smart Object as well. Now select it with your "V" tool. Hit "Ctrl+T on your keyboard. RIGHT click on the text, and choose "Warp" from the menu. You get drag handles to play with. And since the object is "Smart", the distortions remain editable.

If you decide you want to change the colors, gradients, or other effects, edit the Smart Object by right-clicking on the layer listing.

Tegger, thats exactly what I'm looking for. You'll have to be real patient with me.

So please can you take me through the first bit. How do I convert to "smart objects"?

And whats the "v" tool?

Thank you for responding by the way.

 

[Tegger]

Tegger, thats exactly what I'm looking for. You'll have to be real patient with me.

So please can you take me through the first bit. How do I convert to "smart objects"?

And whats the "v" tool?

Thank you for responding by the way.

"A" and "V" are keyboard shortcuts for those tools. "A" is the white arrow, "V" the black arrow.
Here's a list of all the PS shortcuts. Memorize them; they will save you zillions of milliseconds.
http://media.smashingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/shortcuts3.jpg

To convert to a Smart Object, RIGHT-click (Option-click on a Mac) on the listing in the Layers palette which contains the thing you want to make into a Smart Object. Then choose that option from the drop-down menu.

"Smart Object" encapsulates the effects applied directly to that layer, so you can put others (such as a warp) on top of them. You can even nest Smart Objects into each other, like those Russian dolls. The gradient on the "BICYCLE" text in my image is applied to the un-warped Smart Object. That's why my later warping made the gradient follow the warp.

A test for you:
In a new layer, type some text. Add color, gradients, and whatever else you want, but DON'T warp it! Now turn the text into a Smart Object. now you can select it with your "V" tool, hit Ctrl+T, RIGHT-click, and choose Warp from the menu. Drag as desired. The underlying Smart Object remains unchanged. Want to change the gradient, change the text? RIGHT-click the Layer palette listing for that Smart Object, and choose "Edit Contents".

 

[Tegger]

Have a browse through the PSD file. This should help you understand how I did it:
http://www.tegger.com/bicycle.psd