(1) select the texture to work with . (2) Create the typography . (3) Selection over the texture creates a cookie cutter!

Sometimes the most simple techniques can really dress up your publication. One of the most popular sections of the Creative Layout Techniques workshop is on “Typography”. Today, let’s take a look at yet another of our “101 things you can do with Type.” __ If you’ve got color, or grayscale printing capabilities you may want to consider a textured letter. This technique is easily done with your favorite painting program and a little vision. __ First we’ll want to select a texture or pattern that is appropriate for the subject matter of your publication. There are probably lots of good potential textures available in photos or art that is intended for the publication already. Look carefully, you’ll find them! (1) __ Here we’ll open this “metal” background from one of the texture CDs. __ Next key in some type onto it’s own unique layer. Create the layer and set the type color before you key in the type. Once the type is in position, if it is not already an active selection, we’ll need to make it active. (2) __ Remember that an active selection will move along with you to other layers. This is the real magic behind this simple technique. __ Go ahead, while the selection is active and make your texture layer the active one. (Click on its name in the Layers Palette.) Hide the letter layer. Now the active selection is over the texture, and by simply INVERTing the selection, and it becomes a cookie cutter which trims the unwanted areas away. (3) __ Now you can use that version or add further modifications like shadows or 3-D rendering. This example was done in Alien Skin’s Inner Bevel filter. Our Initial Cap at the start of the article is simply the “M” at left with color balance modified. __ If you use this technique for a newsletter, perhaps you may want to have multiple initial caps with the same technique. If so, do all the letters you'll be needing at the same time in one file! That way they'll all have the same characteristics. If you're creating these for the web, your palette will be optimized uniformly as well. Don’t over do it, support the story! Then send us a sample!

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