5 Replies Latest reply: Jan 12, 2010 1:28 AM by Ian R. Brown RSS

    Has PSE 8 Got A "Fill" Slider In The Layers Window?

    Ian R. Brown Community Member

      As well as PSE 8 I have got PS CS3.

       

      In CS3 I can make "transparent" text by applying a bevel and then dragging the "Fill" slider (situated under the "Opacity" slider) down to zero.

       

      PSE 8 doesn't appear to have such a control.

       

      Is there any way I can achieve the same effect?

        • 1. Re: Has PSE 8 Got A "Fill" Slider In The Layers Window?
          Ian R. Brown Community Member

          After further investigation it appears that the control in question is called the "Opacity Fill" slider and PSE 8 doesn't have one.

           

          So my question is can the transparent letter effect be done in PSE 8?

           

          Basically, lettering is given a bevel or drop shadow effect, the opacity fill slider removes the normal letters but leaves the bevel/shadow effect which creates a 3D type glass letter effect.

          • 2. Re: Has PSE 8 Got A "Fill" Slider In The Layers Window?
            Terri_F Community Member

            You might be able to write an action to change the fill to % percent in CS3 and use that action in PSE 8.

             

            Installing actions in various versions of PSE. I believe actions would install the same way in PSE8 as PSE7.

             

            http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/pselements/qt/actions.htm

             

            If an action doesn't work, you'll have to use blend mode tricks. For example, do your type in 50% gray and change the text layer's blend mode to hardlight. Which blend mode trick to use depends on the background colors.

            Easy way to see which color is the neutral for a particular blend mode is to hold alt key and press the page icon. As you cycle through the blend modes, the layer box will have an option for filling with that blend mode's neutral color.

            • 3. Re: Has PSE 8 Got A "Fill" Slider In The Layers Window?
              Ian R. Brown Community Member

              Thanks Terri_F.

               

              I have saved the info and when I have time I will give it a whirl, but it seems to me the simplest course of action is to open PS CS3 and create the title etc. which literally only takes seconds.

               

              It's a pity because I bought PSE 8 thinking it would be more modern and do everything I required (as I don't use CMYK) but obviously there are a few more items missing.

               

              It actually has got a few items that are more streamlined and better thought out than the old CS3.

              • 4. Re: Has PSE 8 Got A "Fill" Slider In The Layers Window?
                MTSTUNER Community Member

                To change the fill opacity in photoshop elements 8 use the

                keyboard shortcut, Shift+number. That is Shift+1 is 10% fill

                and Shift+0 is 100% fill. To get a fill of say 5%, press Shift+05

                or Shift + any two numbers in a row to get other fill %'s.

                Also under the layer styles in photoshop elements there is a

                layer style set named Visibility, which has three styles: Show

                100% fill, Ghosted 50% fill, and Hide 0% fill. The fill keyboard

                shortcuts won't work if you have any of the paint tools selected.

                These shortcuts should work in other photoshop elements versions

                as well.

                • 5. Re: Has PSE 8 Got A "Fill" Slider In The Layers Window?
                  Ian R. Brown Community Member

                  Thanks MTSTUNER, that is perfect!

                   

                  It gives exactly the same result as the CS3 Opacity Fill slider and it is just as quick.

                   

                  By the way, have I awarded you points? If I haven't, how do I do it?