How to create a border around a specific layer

[AntoniaAgain]

I have looked on two separate posts and the instructions were to select layer by double clicking (presumably in layers panel), "enable stroke" (presumably by selecting stroke in the box that opens when you go to "select") and choose what you want in terms of color and width. Been at this for an hour and cannot see how to do it. I should likely have created my image in InDesign. So I have about 20 layers and want to put a frame around ONE layer. There must be a way to do this. 

[jane-e]

Hi @AntoniaAgain 

When you double-click a layer, it should bring up a dialog that has a list of all the layer Effects, including a stroke. The part they didn't tell you is that when you move left to right along the layer, different things happen in different parts. Double-clicking the words, for instance, take you into rename mode. Stay to the right of the layer name when you double-click.

Or click the fx button at the bottom of the Layers panel.

And delete those extra layers. Show a screen shot if you need more help.

~ Jane

[AntoniaAgain]

Thank you Jane. I will try this. The other layers are all part of my image by the way 🙂 

[jane-e]

You're welcome, Antonia, and — sorry, I thought you meant they were extra layers 😊

When the dialog comes up, clicking the checkbox for the stroke will enable the stroke, but to see the controls for the width, color, etc., you need to click on the word "Stroke" and not simply click the checkbox that turns it on.

~ Jane

[AntoniaAgain]

Actually, this is exactly what I have been doing. I am in the window that provides me with all the options and my stroke set at two pix and black, Preview is on. Nothing is happening.

[AntoniaAgain]

sec...let me try that one aboiut the extra step 

[AntoniaAgain]

Nope. Nada. Let me take a SS.

[jane-e]

Hi

I can't tell what layer you are on or what the content of the layer is. Try changing the size to much, much larger than 2 pts. to see if it appears (then pull back) and try setting the stroke to outside to see if it shows.

If it still doesn't work, hide all the layers except the one and try it.

~ Jane

[War Unicorn]

I can't see it, either. What element/layer are you trying to put the stroke on? If this is a huge document, 2 pixels would show up really tiny, especially if not zoomed in 100% (1:1 view).

Definitely try what jane suggested.

[AntoniaAgain]

It doesn't matter what layer (not meaning this snarkily). In InDesign, I can create a box and then go to "stroke" and fill in all the deets and a frame appears. When I create a layer (let's say 4" x 3" so not that large) in PS, there doesn't seem to be a function for this. I double click on the layer and find myself with the window shown in the SS, fill in "5 px" and "black" but no frame appears around the layer I just created.  I got around it by drawing four lines, but was hoping there is an easier way to put a frame around a box. No worries. I will move on. Thank you for your help.

[War Unicorn · Accepted solution]

Think I might know what's wrong:

When you add a stroke, it must be upon pixels. If the layer is transparent, there is no stroke because there aren't any pixels. To see the stroke, quickly add a color like white to that layer.

Next, "punch through" by using the "Fill" slider in the Layers panel. This will effectively set the opacity of the layer but keep the stroke effect. I use this all the time to frame my compositions.

[AntoniaAgain]

Ooh! That sounds hopeful. I am just working on an article deadline but will try this as soon as I finish. Truly appreciate all the kindness here!

[AntoniaAgain]

Thanks so much War Unicorn 🙂

[War Unicorn]

You're very welcome.  🙂  Full credit goes to Julianne Kost as she's the one that made me privy to it.

[Semaphoric]

If you just want a frame that's actually on the layer, highlight the layer, Select All, and Edit > Stroke, then de-select.