If you’re new to digital scrapbooking or Photoshop Elements, you may not be familiar with the options available when you choose the Text Tool. When the Text Tool is activated, a whole new sub-menu opens up below the main menu. (To become familiar with the Text Tool icon and other tool icons, please see The Photoshop Elements Tool Bar for Digital Scrapbooking Part 1 and Part 2). This guide is going to show you not only where the additional text options are located and what the icons look like, but it will also give you a brief overview of what each option does as well.
1. Text Tool Sub Menu
When you click on the Text Tool to activate, a new sub menu appears above your workspace, beneath your main menu. The image shown here shows the menu split into two rows just for ease of viewing.
2. Font Family
The first item on the sub-menu is the font family drop down menu. This allows you to choose which font you’d like to use for your text. The fonts that populate this list are those that are installed in your operating system. If you use font management software, you should also have access to those fonts when they are activated within the management software. The font name is listed to the left in the drop down menu with a sample preview of the font on the right.
3. Font Style
This drop down allows you to choose any alternate styles that the font maker has included, such as bold, italic, and condensed versions. Some fonts may not include alternate styles, in which case the menu will be locked.
4. Font Size
You may choose the size of your font using the font size drop down. These are measured in points. You can choose from common standard sizes, or you may type your own size value into the box.
5. Font Anti-Aliasing
Anti-Aliasing your text gives it the appearance of a smoother edge. This option is either turned on or off. By default, it is usually turned on.
6. Faux Effects
If the font maker didn’t include additional styles, you can use Faux Effects instead. These are effects that the software applies to the font itself. From left to right your options are: faux bold, faux italic, faux underline, and faux strikethrough.
7. Text Alignment
You can align your text in three ways: left align, center align, or right align. These choices will not necessarily align them perfectly in your document (you can use the move tool to move the entire body of text), but they will make sure the edges of the text align appropriately for your choice. You can either set your alignment before you start typing your text, or you can select your text then choose the desired alignment.
8. Font Leading
Leading is the spacing between lines of text. The leading is always defaulted to the Auto choice, but you may change it by choosing one of the values from the drop down menu or typing in your own value. You can set your leading before you start typing your text, or you can type your text, select it, then choose the desired leading.
9. Text Color
Change the color of your text to one of the preset color options by clicking the down arrow next to the color swatch to open the color dialog box. If you’d rather use the eyedropper to choose your color, click the color swatch instead of the down arrow to open the color picker and eyedropper tool.
10. Text Layer Style
This option allows you to quickly apply a layer style to your text. Different style choices are available in the drop down, but you may find the results varying depending on the size and thickness of the font you’re using.
11. Text Warp
The text warp option allows you to warp your text to different shapes and styles. Choose from the preset style drop down menu or use the sliders to manually adjust the warp on your own. The sliders can also be used to adjust one of the preset styles.
12. Text Orientation
Clicking the text orientation button will orient your text either vertically or horizontally. The button acts as a toggle, switching your text to whatever orientation is opposite of your text currently.