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How to create a thin border around a selection?


Coffee_Girl

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I am a seamstress and i am trying to create an outline about 1/4 inch from the original object, it is relatively simple but i am such a noob that i cannot figure it out. The image above is an example of what i want to do, I select the object with magic wand...then just expand the border of the selection out to 1/4" etc. Thanks!



Screenshot 2022-01-29 at 14-53-07 sewing pattern seam allowance - Google Search.png
 
I think you already know the answer because you have explained it correctly when you stated your question. If you are able to select your main object, then go to Select>Modify>Expand to increase the size of that selection. The "expand" command is stated in pixels, so it may be trial & error to estimate how many pixels equals 1/4 inch. (If that calculation needs to be precise, there are ways to do it.) But once you have expanded your selection by the proper amount, create a new layer and go to Edit>Stroke. Apply a black (or whatever color) stroke to your expanded selection and then you're done.

1643519623445.png
 
This is actually a task for Illustrator...

You shouldn't work with selections and expand in Photoshop because you won't get sharp corners.

Instead, you should work with shapes and different stroke widths/colors.

The first shape should have a black outline stroke with a width of 0,6cm/1/4in
Duplicate this shape an change the color from black to white an the stroke width from 0,6cm to 0,5cm.

outline.jpg
 
This can be done in Ps, but it takes a few steps that may be tedious to describe.

Screen Shot 2022-01-30 at 2.23.28 AM.png Screen Shot 2022-01-30 at 2.27.13 AM.png
Screen Shot 2022-01-30 at 2.28.03 AM.png
 
OK, going to give this a shot!

This is the first and most difficult part.
All of this needs to be on transparent BG. I have added the white BG layer for visibility.

First you must create your pattern.
I used guides and the Pen Tool set to "Shape".
Screen Shot 2022-01-30 at 9.08.36 PM.png

Using the tools option bar of the Pen Tool, I then added a 24 pixel outside stroke which is 0.25 inches. CONVERTER
Screen Shot 2022-01-30 at 9.11.17 PM.png

I then made a duplicate of this layer and rasterized it.
I used the Magic Wand Tool to make a selection of the outside of this shape.
Make sure the marching ant selection is only around the shape! If not hit Cmd/Cntrl + I.
Screen Shot 2022-01-30 at 9.27.24 PM.png

Create a new layer.
Turn all other layers off.
Select your Rectangular Marquis Tool.
Select/highlight the new layer with the active selection...
Screen Shot 2022-01-30 at 9.33.52 PM.png

Then right click within the selection and choose "Make Work Path".
Screen Shot 2022-01-30 at 9.16.48 PM.png
Screen Shot 2022-01-30 at 9.17.06 PM.png
You will now have a work path that looks like this.
Screen Shot 2022-01-30 at 9.35.58 PM.png

Now we need to convert the work path to a shape layer.
Go to LAYER > NEW FILL LAYER > SOLID COLOR Hit OK and choose a color.
Screen Shot 2022-01-30 at 9.21.19 PM.png
You should now have three (3) layers.....
The Original Pattern Shape layer.
The Original Pattern Shape copy layer.....which is no longer a shape layer because we rastorized it!
And the Color Fill (shape) layer which is 24 pixels larger than the Original Pattern Shape.
Screen Shot 2022-01-30 at 9.39.25 PM.png
 
Now for the second part.

Turn off the Color Fill layer.
Select/Highlight the Original Pattern Shape layer.
Select your Pen Tool.

We left this layer wit a 24px outside stroke. We need to change this to a 8px inside stroke.
Use the tools option bar at the top to do this.
Screen Shot 2022-01-30 at 9.55.12 PM.png
Screen Shot 2022-01-30 at 9.55.39 PM.png

Now turn on and select/highlight the Color Fill layer.
From the tools option bar, turn off the fill.
Set the stroke to a 8px inside stoke just as we did before.
Screen Shot 2022-01-30 at 10.00.52 PM.png

You can of course make the stroke smaller and change it's color.
Screen Shot 2022-01-30 at 10.02.16 PM.png

You can also change it to a dashed or dotted line.
Screen Shot 2022-01-30 at 10.03.07 PM.png
Screen Shot 2022-01-30 at 10.03.19 PM.png

All of the strokes and colors are editable! The only drawback is that the offset distance is not .........err..........readily editable! LOL!!
Adobe Illustrator is leaps and bounds a better program for this kind of stuff!!!
 

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