I was going to post this in the topic that was already started, but it's locked...so here we go again.

John's Secret Identity....Your directions were great. I didn't have any trouble at all putting an image within the text. The problem I'm having is, I can't seem to get an outline around the text once the image is inside. I'm working with PSP9, so I imagine it's a little different than yours, but I'm hoping you can tell me how to get an outline around the image before I go nuts trying...lol. I'd sure appreciate any help you could give me....

Was that this thread?

I would say leave the vector text visible and make sure its layer is above the cropped image layer. Then modify the text's attributes so it has an outline color/pattern/gradient but no fill, and adjust the outline thickness to whatever you want.

Yeah, John...that's the thread. I'll try your suggestion. Thanks a lot!

Note that tat method will make an outline whose thickness will half overlap the text-cropped image. If you want the border outside the text try this:

1. Create a new layer behind the cropped text.

2. Fill it with whatever color etc. you want the border to be.

3. Select the vector text and do a selection from vector object.

3. Switch to the new layer and do an expansion of the selection by however many pixels you want as the width of the border.

4. Invert the selection and hit Delete. What's left will form a border around the cropped image text.

You can use this to add a border around anything. I used it as the basis (with some hand-tweaking after the expansion) of the wall behind my Gangsta '84 design, for example, and to add a black outline around my Evacuation Route design I added today, as an afterthought after remembering the dark apparel won't take back images.

Well, John...I tried the first technique and couldn't get it to work. I know it isn't your instructions...it's me.

I'll try the 2nd one and let you know how I make out, and also let you know if I have any hair left after pulling most of it out...lol. I sure appreciate your help....

Dear John...I hope this is your first "Dear John" letter...lol.

I tried the 2nd technique, and I'm still not getting it. I created a new layer behind the cropped text layer, filled it with the color I wanted the border to be, selected the vector text layer, and from "selections" clicked on "vector object." I guess my question is: What do you mean by "do an expansion of the selection by however many pixels you want as the width of the border." That one lost me...lol.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated...

Well, in PSP7 in the menu you would click Selections > Modify > Expand and then tell it how many pixels to expand the selection.

WooHOO, John! It worked! Thank you sooo much for hanging in there with me. You're a doll! I'm going to have some fun tomorrow playing around with this. Thanks so much!!! Have a great night, John....

I dont have psp, or coral. my computer is kind of basic with just work and adobe. how can I design pictures that I draw on paper. or things I want to create with font to be able to put on t-shirts i'm a green horn I need help. I can draw anything on a piece of paper but how do I save it to put on a t-shirt.

Check out the "free graphics software" sticky topic at the top of the "General Graphics Help" forum. Also take a look at investing in a flatbed scanner and/or graphics tablet, either or both of which would help you translate your drawing skills to digital designs.