artisticallychallenged

Hello gang,
I have created an intramural basketball team by the name of "The Ss" (each player on my team has a name with 'S' in it).
Anyway, I am in charge of creating jerseys and I am using Photoshop to do so.
The idea is to create an exaggerated blue-bordered 'S' to look somewhat like a ribbon. Furthermore, I plan to put each teammates name inside the border of the 'S'. [See attached image].
After spending several hours (spread out over a few days) I have produced nothing but minor frustration.
I believe my problem is the incompatibility of my vocabulary to that of Photoshop's.
Here is what I have done:
1) Used the vertical text tool to compose the text that goes inside the "border" of the 'S'.
2) Attempted to use the Rectangular Marquee tool to create the blue border (didn't work).
3) Tried to select the text, copy, and paste it into a Path (couldn't manage that either).
Anyway, I am really turned around and would extremely appreciate any tips or explanations.
Thank you very much,
-Matt

kiwi

Thats a tricky one Matt


First thing I would probably do is use an elipse shaped brush {calligraphy ones} and create a ribbon.I would probably avoid as mush of the crossover or join as possible,reason being I am not sure PS text tools could handle the angles you will need,thats warp text as well I mean.



What if you had the guys names on the top half of the ribbon and the botton half and say you had a line etc connecting the 2 in the middle? it would save you a lot of time



Stu.

artisticallychallenged

Excellent idea Stu.
I don't need to get that fancy with the join.
I am going to experiment with the ellipse shaped brush to create a ribbon. I do have one question before I begin this route:
The text should be placed in the ribbon (via a different layer) after the ribbon is created?
Or should I do vertical text, warp it, then fit the ribbon to the warped text?
What do you think will be most effective?
Thanks a million for your time and help Stu, it is much appreciated.
-Matt

kiwi

No problem


I had a play and found that by using skew and distort transformations after warp text you can get kind of close,not brilliant but close

artisticallychallenged

Wow Stu! [shocked]
That takes some serious talent! [excited]
I am going to spend some time getting really comfortable and strategic with the skew and distort transformations. It seems I have become best friends with warping text
I'll let you know what I come up with.
Thanks again for all your help Stu.
-Matt

Rick

Hey Kiwi is the MAN 8)) 8)) 8)) \:]