Sometimes stroke produces outline, sometimes not.

[Lee Hassig]

I like a 4-pixel black rule around photographs. Unfortunately, I don't always get one.

Here are the settings in the stroke dialog box:
1. Select/highlight the background layer.
2. Press CTRL+A.
3. Go to Edit>Stroke
4. Set width to 4 pixels.
5. Foreground color is black.
6. Location is INSIDE.
7. Blending mode is NORMAL
8. Opacity = 100.

Trouble is, sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't.Even a 20-pixel line cannot be seen.

There must be a simple explanation for this. Anyone know what it might be and how to fix it.

Thanks,
Lee Hassig

 

[MrToM]

Ideally we'd need to see more than just the 'Stroke' settings.....such as the layers panel.

Post a screen shot of that when it fails....in fact, if you can, post the whole UI.....its often more revealing than just words alone.

Regards.
MrToM.

 

[IamSam]

There's no need to make a selection with Cmd/Cntrl + A.

You sad you use the background layer for the stroke, if you can't see the stroke, this suggests that there is another layer above the background layer that's covering up the stroked background layer.

 

[IamSam]

Another reason you may not be able to see the stroke is if you have used the Crop Tool to crop an image and you don't have the "Delete cropped pixels" box checked. The stroke is there, it's just been added to the original dimensions of the image prior to cropping so you cant see it.

 

[Lee Hassig]

Another reason you may not be able to see the stroke is if you have used the Crop Tool to crop an image and you don't have the "Delete cropped pixels" box checked. The stroke is there, it's just been added to the original dimensions of the image prior to cropping so you cant see it.

Yes, indeed. I had created a second background layer for the purpose of dodging. PS placed this lay on top of the original background, covering up the 4-pixel rule in the original. Everything seems to be in order--for now at least. Thanks for your help.