Nobody wrote:
What is the best way to draw this: A white circle 32×32 with a 1 pixel black outline?
I tried drawing a white 32×32, then setting a 1 px black stroke on the outside. This achieves the desired effect, but the outline ends up looking very dark gray vs. black, and its not as smooth as I would like.
What you’re needing to do is: set up two ellipses, one a bit smaller than the other with independent, high-contrast masks and centered stroke effects. Set the layer effects to make sure "layer mask hides effect" is checked.
Below is a detailed explanation if you need one:
create two ellipses with the shape tool— one white, 30px by 30px, one black, 32×32. Make sure "layer mask hides effect" is checked on in the effects panel, and do a centered stroke on each layer, matching each layer’s color. Align center all your shapes, then hide the white layer. On the black layer, control-click the vector mask, and add a layer mask, adjusting the brightness/contrast of the layer mask until the edges are sharp and jagged, this may take a couple of passes. Usually around -50 brightness and 100% contrast. Show the white layer, and create a layer mask, adjusting the brightness and contrast until the edges are sharp on that mask too. If your mask isn’t exactly like you want it, follow up in the layer masks with a 1 px pencil control.
IMO, Photoshop REALLY needs to implement a independent smoothing selection (like type) for vector objects and effects. This would be nice in Illustrator, too.
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§¦: } theartist
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