Looking for a quick, easy, and effective way to make your titles pop on a page? Try outlining them by following these simple steps:
1. Type the title, flatten it, and color it as desired. If you have used Fancy Fonts instead of text, there is no need to flatten the title.
2. Copy the flattened title and paste it four times. Make these four copies the color you want the outline to be.
3. Use the Arrange (SBC3) or Layout (SBC+) ribbon to align all five copies of your title. [Select all five copies of the title, and on the Alignment section of the Arrange ribbon, choose the icons that are second from the left and the next to last in the top row. This will stack all five copies one on top of the other.]
4. Move the original title to the front (it's easiest to do this on the elements panel - put it on top).
5. On the elements panel, select the first copy of the outline title. Using the arrow keys on your computer keyboard, move this copy one or two clicks to the left.
6. Next, select the second copy of the outline and move it the same distance to the right; in the same manner, move the third copy up and the fourth copy down.
7, If you are satisfied with the look of the outline, select all five copies and group them together.
This method can be used on word art, embellishments, and fancy fonts, too. For a slightly different look, you may want to experiment with the Glow feature in SBC3 (Format ribbon, Shadows).
Many thanks to CMC Shelley Alexander of Sydney, Australia, for creating and sharing this method and the instruction sheet with me! Have fun with it!
That's interesting. I'm going to have to try it!
Posted by: Robin | September 10, 2009 at 02:47 PM
LOVE this technique! I just tried it and it's pretty easy. I've always wondered how I can "mat" the fonts, and now I know. Thanks!
Posted by: Julie | September 10, 2009 at 05:34 PM
That works so well!! I've done that with one "shadow" before, but I never would have thought to do it 4 times.
Posted by: Niki | September 10, 2009 at 10:43 PM
There still has got to be a better way. Still waiting for a 100% opacity feature on the Glow.... gonna suggest that till I can't suggest it anymore. We need an easy outline tool..
Posted by: Tameka Bond | September 11, 2009 at 10:49 PM
couldn't you just make two copies; make them different colors, make the top one slightly smaller or the bottom one slightly bigger, center them over one another and you would have an outline?
Posted by: Peggy | September 13, 2009 at 08:44 AM
Hi Peggy,
The technique you suggest will work for some titles, but not all. Try it and see what you think on several different types of titles - fancy fonts, word art, short titles, long ones... None are perfect, but sometimes it's nice to have a little bit of an outline. Thanks for suggesting!
Jan McCallum, Creative Memories Leader
Digital Trainer
919-493-5211 or 919-906-1974 (cell)
www.mycmsite.com/janmccallum www.cmphotocenter.com ID #76016249
Posted by: Jan McCallum | September 13, 2009 at 04:41 PM
Thanks, Jan. I tried the single copy and decrease size technique, and you are right. It only works on some titles. For others, it works if you break the word apart and do each individual letter, but that does not simplify the process. Your method works every time.
Posted by: Peggy | September 16, 2009 at 12:35 AM
I copy the title 8 times and move them right, left, up, down, right/up, right/down, left/up and left/down. I find it fills in some of corners a bit more thoroughly. I wish I had discovered using the arrow keys sooner - now I use that all the time!
Posted by: Laurie Twibell | September 16, 2009 at 10:26 AM
I must be doing something wrong... I tried this on "Mariah" font, and all I got was a very bold title...
Posted by: Cheryl Gamble | September 17, 2009 at 06:31 AM
Ah! Eureka!... I hadn't understood that your original MUST be a different colour from the copies...
:)
Posted by: Cheryl Gamble | September 17, 2009 at 06:36 AM
download Halloween freebies on Story Book 3.0
I do not see any instructions for SB 3.0
Posted by: Brigitte Cole | September 19, 2009 at 01:18 PM
I am w you until the directions get the the alignment tab. I don't follow which I am supposed to click. Is it possible to dummy this down more for me? Perhaps provide me w a picture?
Thanks
Susan
Posted by: Susan Sanders | October 20, 2009 at 07:29 PM
never mind, got it. Sorry!
Posted by: Susan Sanders | October 20, 2009 at 07:30 PM
How come I can't change the colors for the other copies?
Posted by: Michelle | October 23, 2009 at 03:25 PM
You can make the copies any color you want, as long as they are different from the original. Are you asking HOW to change the colors? Sorry, I'm not understanding your question!
Posted by: Jan McCallum | October 23, 2009 at 03:41 PM