How to dim around a rectangle?

[by22917885]

I need to mark up screenshots and want to dim everything around the rectangle, putting focus on what's highlighted. Example:

[Chuck Uebele · Accepted solution]

Add a solid fill layer or a normal layer filled with black. Adjust the "Fill" Opacity to your liking. You can then use stroke in the layer's effect panel.

[by22917885]

I manage to dim the image and set the stroke options. I click the "OK" button and no rectangle appears? I just see a dimmed image.

[Chuck Uebele]

You need to make a marquee of the area you want outlined and not dimmed, then fill the layer mask with black in the marquee.

[by22917885]

Thanks. It worked!

For anyone wanting to know how to make the layer mask black:How to quickly fill a white layer mask w. black?

[by22917885]

For some reason, the edges of the stroke are rounded. How do I make them square?

[Chuck Uebele]

Do you have the stroke position on the outside?

[by22917885]

Figured out the problem. You have to do the marquee tool after choosing/configuring the stroke settings. Thanks!