To change the stroke size in Photoshop, you typically use the Stroke command found under the Edit menu after making a selection, or you can adjust stroke settings within Layer Styles. This answer focuses on the method described in the reference.
Understanding Strokes in Photoshop
A stroke in Photoshop is essentially an outline applied to a selection, a layer, or a shape. You can control its thickness (size), color, opacity, and blending mode. The method for applying or changing a stroke depends on what you are stroking (a selection area, a shape layer, a text layer, etc.).
Applying a Stroke to a Selection (Method from Reference)
One common way to apply a stroke with a specific size is by using the Stroke command on an active selection. This method applies the stroke directly to the pixels on the selected layer around the boundaries of your selection.
Here’s how to do it, including information from the provided reference:
- Make a Selection: First, you need to define the area you want to stroke. You can use any of Photoshop's selection tools for this, such as the Marquee Tool or the Lasso Tool. For example, draw a rectangular selection with the Rectangular Marquee Tool.
- Access the Stroke Command: Once your selection is active (you'll see the "marching ants"), go to the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click on Edit.
- Choose Stroke: From the dropdown menu, select Stroke.
- Specify Stroke Attributes: The Stroke dialog box will appear. Here, you can specify the color, width, and other attributes for the stroke.
- Width: This is where you set the size of the stroke. Enter a value in pixels. A larger number means a thicker stroke.
- Color: Click the color swatch to choose the stroke color.
- Location: Choose where the stroke is applied relative to the selection boundary (Inside, Center, or Outside).
- Blending: Adjust Opacity and Mode if needed.
- Apply the Stroke: Click OK in the Stroke dialog box. Photoshop will apply the stroke of the specified size and attributes to the active selection on the currently selected layer.
Reference Insight: As highlighted by the reference, this method is applied using selection tools and accessed via the Edit > Stroke menu path, allowing precise control over attributes like width (size) and color.
Other Methods for Changing Stroke Size
While the Edit > Stroke method works on selections, strokes are often applied non-destructively using Layer Styles or applied directly to Shape layers or Text layers.
Layer Styles (Stroke Effect)
Applying a stroke via Layer Styles (Layer > Layer Style > Stroke or double-clicking the layer) is a more flexible approach:
- The stroke is linked to the layer's content (pixels, shape, text).
- You can easily change the size, color, position, blend mode, etc., at any time by double-clicking the "Stroke" effect under the layer in the Layers panel.
- The size is adjusted using a slider or by entering a pixel value in the Layer Style dialog box.
Shape Layers and Text Layers
When you create a vector shape or text, Photoshop often provides stroke options directly in the Properties panel or the Options bar when the tool is active. Here, you can directly input a stroke thickness (size) and color, and choose stroke type options.
Summary Table: Adjusting Stroke Size
Here's a quick look at common ways to adjust stroke size:
| Method | Applied To | How to Adjust Size | Reversibility / Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edit > Stroke | Active Selection (Pixels) | Set 'Width' in Stroke dialog. | Destructive (applied to pixels) |
| Layer Style | Layer Content (Pixels, Shape, Text) | Adjust 'Size' slider/input in Layer Style dialog. | Non-destructive, easily editable |
| Shape/Text Tools | Shape/Text Layers | Adjust 'Stroke Thickness' in Options/Properties panel. | Non-destructive, easily editable |
Using the Edit > Stroke command after making a selection is a direct way to add a stroke of a specific size, as detailed in the provided reference. For greater flexibility and non-destructive editing, Layer Styles or the dedicated options for Shape and Text layers are generally preferred.
