Draw a hollow rectangle with Photoshop

1216 views13 repliesLast post: 11/23/2005
Hi.

This sounds more than newbie question ... but how can I draw a 1 pixel thin black hollow rectangle on a white surface using Photoshop?

Thanks.

--
Georges
#1
"Georges Heinesch" wrote in message
Hi.

This sounds more than newbie question ... but how can I draw a 1 pixel thin black hollow rectangle on a white surface using Photoshop?
Thanks.

--
Georges

new document white background
using rectangle shape tool, make a layer above, choose white in the toolbar color selector, make a white rectangle, it will be invisible then using the layer effects palette (small f at bottom of layer palette) choose stroke, color black, one pixel
there is probably a better way to do this with a pen tool but I never use it
#2
"Georges Heinesch" wrote in message
Hi.

This sounds more than newbie question ... but how can I draw a 1 pixel thin black hollow rectangle on a white surface using Photoshop?
Thanks.

--
Georges

One way would be to create a new image 1 pixel smaller than the finished size you require, with a white background, then go to image - canvas size - and increase by 1 pixel relative and use a black foreground or background colour.
Then drag and drop the new image layer into whatever picture you wish. Someone will probably know a simpler way!
#3
Georges Heinesch wrote in
news:437e5993$:

Hi.

This sounds more than newbie question ... but how can I draw a 1 pixel thin black hollow rectangle on a white surface using Photoshop?
Thanks.

Use the rectangular marquee tool to drag out (i.e. select) the rectangle you require, then choose stroke from the edit menu and set the stroke to be 1px.
#4
Georges Heinesch wrote:
Hi.

This sounds more than newbie question ... but how can I draw a 1 pixel thin black hollow rectangle on a white surface using Photoshop?
Thanks.
Lots of ways. Here's one: Make a white rectangle. Double-click to get the Layer Styles dialog. Stroke, change the color to black, Inside, 1 pixel.

I'm sure you will get lots of other suggestions.

--
Comic book sketches and artwork:
http://www.sover.net/~hannigan/edjh.html
Comics art for sale:
http://www.sover.net/~hannigan/batsale.html
#5
KatWoman wrote:
"Georges Heinesch" wrote in message

Hi.

This sounds more than newbie question ... but how can I draw a 1 pixel thin black hollow rectangle on a white surface using Photoshop?
Thanks.

--
Georges

new document white background
using rectangle shape tool, make a layer above, choose white in the toolbar color selector, make a white rectangle, it will be invisible then using the layer effects palette (small f at bottom of layer palette) choose stroke, color black, one pixel
there is probably a better way to do this with a pen tool but I never use it
You NEVER use the Pen tool? Yikes!

--
Comic book sketches and artwork:
http://www.sover.net/~hannigan/edjh.html
Comics art for sale:
http://www.sover.net/~hannigan/batsale.html
#6
Georges Heinesch wrote:
Hi.

This sounds more than newbie question ... but how can I draw a 1 pixel thin black hollow rectangle on a white surface using Photoshop?
Thanks.
Hi Georges,

the simplest way is to use the rectangle tool (fouund in the flyout just below the text tool flyout). Once you select the rectangle tool, in the styles (on the property bar) choose preset: 1 pixel with zero opactiy fill - and draw your rectangle. So to recap: select rectangle tool, choose desired style, draw your rectangle. No need for messing with layers and so on, the rectangle tool automatically puts the rectangle on a new layer.

Brian.
#7
RFJ wrote:

Use the rectangular marquee tool to drag out (i.e. select) the rectangle you require, then choose stroke from the edit menu and set the stroke to be 1px.

I believe this is the easiest way to get the job done.

However I was surprized to see how many (easy and complicated) ways exist. Nevertheless ... PS does not provide a build-in hollow rectangle tool. Sad.

Thanks to all who replied !!!

Bye,

--
Georges
#8
"edjh" wrote in message
KatWoman wrote:
"Georges Heinesch" wrote in message

Hi.

This sounds more than newbie question ... but how can I draw a 1 pixel thin black hollow rectangle on a white surface using Photoshop?
Thanks.

--
Georges

new document white background
using rectangle shape tool, make a layer above, choose white in the toolbar color selector, make a white rectangle, it will be invisible then using the layer effects palette (small f at bottom of layer palette) choose stroke, color black, one pixel
there is probably a better way to do this with a pen tool but I never use it
You NEVER use the Pen tool? Yikes!

well rarely
I mostly retouch photos and do very little illustrating
I did try using it for some selecting instead of magnetic lasso and I did create some curvy lines for a web banner I am designing (I usually get by with the shape tool)
but since I am way noob at it I didn't feel I should be the one to say how to use it
#9
KatWoman wrote:
"edjh" wrote in message

well rarely
I mostly retouch photos and do very little illustrating
I did try using it for some selecting instead of magnetic lasso and I did create some curvy lines for a web banner I am designing (I usually get by with the shape tool)
but since I am way noob at it I didn't feel I should be the one to say how to use it
Wouldn't have been the best tool for this anyway.

--
Comic book sketches and artwork:
http://www.sover.net/~hannigan/edjh.html
Comics art for sale:
http://www.sover.net/~hannigan/batsale.html
#10
Georges Heinesch wrote:

<snip>
.. Nevertheless ... PS does not provide a build-in hollow rectangle
tool. Sad.

Thanks to all who replied !!!

Bye,
Yes it does, read my other reply.

Brian.
#11
Brian wrote:

<snip>
PS does not provide a build-in hollow rectangle
tool. Sad.

Yes it does, read my other reply.

I tried your suggestion, but got stuck with the "styles" " ... in the styles (on the property bar) ..."

I just see "Style Layer" in the top bar.
I don't get what you mean by "property bar".

Thanks,

--
Georges
#12
Georges Heinesch wrote:
Brian wrote:

<snip>

PS does not provide a build-in hollow rectangle
tool. Sad.

Yes it does, read my other reply.

I tried your suggestion, but got stuck with the "styles" " ... in the styles (on the property bar) ..."
I just see "Style Layer" in the top bar.
I don't get what you mean by "property bar".

Thanks,

Hi Georges,

firstly, I am also a Corel user, so maybe I used Corel terminology? The property bar I refer to is the context sensitive property bar at the top of the screen which gives you various selectable properties related to whatever tool you are using at any given time.

You were on the right track with the Style Layer. It says "Set style for new layer" which is not very obvious. That is actually the place you select the style of the rectangle you are about to draw (which will automatically be placed on a new layer). If you click the drop down arrow, the bottom left style is a rectangle of 1 pixel stroke with no fill, which is exactly what you want.

Hope this helps, regards,
Brian.
#13
Brian wrote:

...
Hi Georges,

firstly, I am also a Corel user, so maybe I used Corel terminology? The property bar I refer to is the context sensitive property bar at the top of the screen which gives you various selectable properties related to whatever tool you are using at any given time.

You were on the right track with the Style Layer. It says "Set style for new layer" which is not very obvious. That is actually the place you select the style of the rectangle you are about to draw (which will automatically be placed on a new layer). If you click the drop down arrow, the bottom left style is a rectangle of 1 pixel stroke with no fill, which is exactly what you want.

Hope this helps, regards,
Brian.

Thanks a lot for the additional explanations. However I was looking at the right place, but I used PS 6.0. I tried at a friends computer, who CS2, and I saw the "1 pixel stroke with no fill".

This works indeed much easier.

Thanks a lot!

Bye,

--
Georges Heinesch
#14