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Tech question for graphic experts

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:59 pm
by Halgar
I am having difficulty finding the info I need to do what I'm trying to do. What I need is a how-to on getting text to invert it's color in contrast to it's background. For instance, you have a "bullseye" that is black and white and you overlay text across the concentric circles of the bullseye. How do you make the text black over the white "circles" and white over the black "circles"?

What I'm actually trying to do is overlay text on an image and I want to invert the image colors throughout the text as needed so that the text shows up against similarly colored backgrounds. Any of this make sense?

Re: Tech question for graphic experts

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:14 pm
by wts873
Give the letters a pencil thin outline of the other color. I think Word calls it Varsity??

Re: Tech question for graphic experts

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:56 pm
by Eau Rouge
What program are you trying to do this in? The answer is different for each...

Re: Tech question for graphic experts

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:50 pm
by Halgar
Macromedia Fireworks 8 is my primary editor. It's very similar to Adobe, so what works in Adobe will probably be very close to what FW has to offer. And yes, I know that Adobe now owns Macromedia. :mrgreen:

Re: Tech question for graphic experts

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:52 pm
by Erich Reichert
I can do it for you in Illustrator if you want. Takes about 5 seconds and thats if i get a phone call.

Re: Tech question for graphic experts

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 4:13 pm
by Halgar
I have the Adobe suite, Illustrator is part of it. How do you do it?













Please, please, please, purty please tell me! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Re: Tech question for graphic experts

Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:47 am
by Erich Reichert
Ok here is the step by step. Note the layers menu set up for each picture.

1. I made the bullseye with 3 circles filled 2 with black and 1 with white. Also set my type in a text box on a seperate layer BEHIND the layer with the circles.
Picture 1.png
Picture 1.png (92.83 KiB) Viewed 938 times
Picture 1.png
Picture 1.png (92.83 KiB) Viewed 938 times
2. Center all our circles to make the bullseye
Picture 2.png
Picture 2.png (128.53 KiB) Viewed 938 times
Picture 2.png
Picture 2.png (128.53 KiB) Viewed 938 times
3.Select your first two inside circles and make them a compound path (if you have more then repeat). Select your text box and create outlines.
Picture 3.png
Picture 3.png (117.49 KiB) Viewed 935 times
Picture 3.png
Picture 3.png (117.49 KiB) Viewed 935 times
4. Move your outlined text into position and use the single selection tool (white arrow) to select the letters to have this done to.
Picture 4.png
Picture 4.png (117.96 KiB) Viewed 934 times
Picture 4.png
Picture 4.png (117.96 KiB) Viewed 934 times
5. With the outline text left selected, select the entire circle layer. Create a compound path of all selected.
Picture 5.png
Picture 5.png (86.75 KiB) Viewed 932 times
Picture 5.png
Picture 5.png (86.75 KiB) Viewed 932 times
6. Here's your finished piece. All toasty warm like mom used to make... which is wierd that she knew you sucked even back then! :twisted:
Picture 6.png
Picture 6.png (90.59 KiB) Viewed 931 times
Picture 6.png
Picture 6.png (90.59 KiB) Viewed 931 times

Re: Tech question for graphic experts

Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:44 pm
by Halgar
That's mean, that's just mean! :cry:



:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

So basically, do a text box, convert the text to an outline, drag/drop text over image of choice and the text picks up the converse color of the background. Got it!

I'm not doing image editing today, so I'll play a bit with it tomorrow. Thanks Erich, I'll let you know how it goes.

Re: Tech question for graphic experts

Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:04 pm
by Erich Reichert
well sort of but a little more detail, you need to make things into compound paths (under the object menu).

Re: Tech question for graphic experts

Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:12 pm
by Halgar
Well, there are enough clues here for me to at least get started. I'll post back when I have played a little bit. Thanks for the help, it's greatly appreciated. 8)

Re: Tech question for graphic experts

Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:17 pm
by Erich Reichert
Not a problem at all sir. PM me if you get stuck on anything.

Re: Tech question for graphic experts

Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:51 pm
by Halgar
I guess this means I can't pick on you for a little while? :? :?

:wink: :wink: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Re: Tech question for graphic experts

Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:39 am
by Erich Reichert
na feel free. :D