Stroking a selection or layer with color

You can use the Stroke command to paint a colored border around a selection or layer. This allows you to create a softer border than one created using the Stroke layer style. The Stroke layer style provides a resolution-independent method to stroke a shape. (See Managing layered images.) You can use the Stroke layer effect when you want to stroke the entire layer. If you want a quick way to create a stroke on the current layer--without necessarily following the edge of the layer--use the Stroke command.

To stroke a selection or layer:

1 Specify a foreground color. (See Choosing foreground and background colors.)

2 Select the area or layer you want to stroke.

3 Choose Edit > Stroke.

4 In the Stroke dialog box, specify the width of the hard-edged border. Values can range from 1 to 16 pixels.

5 For Location, specify whether to place the border inside, outside, or centered over the selection or layer boundaries.

6 Specify an opacity and a blending mode. (See  Setting options for painting and editing tools.)

7 If you're working in a layer and want to stroke only areas containing pixels, select the Preserve Transparency option. (See  Locking layers.)

8 Click OK to stroke the selection or layer.

Painting and Drawing > Filling and stroking selections and layers > Stroking a selection or layer with color