Can't get trace to work in elements 6

[Guest]

I am trying to trace the leaves of this begonia. I only want the outline of the leaves.

When I try and trace using the brush tool on a new layer, the outline is transparent. I would like

a thin but clear black line. The transparent outline is visible because it goes through the grey

squares of the new layer.  Thanks

[hatstead · Accepted solution]

Try this:

1. Open the picture file
2. Set your foreground color chip to black
3. Activate the selection brush or the lasso tool to select the leaves. You should see "marching ants" when the selection is complete.
4. Open a blank layer above the background layer (Layer 1)
5. Go to Edit>Stroke(outline)selection. Make width = 5 px. Experiment. Place stroke inside.
6. Press CTRL+D to get rid of the marching ants
7. Shut off the visibility of the background layer by clicking its eye icon.
8. You should see the outline on Layer 1

[Guest]

Thanks for the help, but how do I set the foreground color chip to black?

I looked around and couldn't find a way to do it.

I don't have a lot of experience with Photoshop.

[hatstead]

Two ways:

Double click on the foreground color chip to bring up the color picker, and you can select any color

Press D on the keyboard for default foreground color = black

X toggles between foreground and background colors.

[Guest]

I have been out of town but am back and would like to get this to work.

ACP, I haven't done much with elements so I am kind of dumb. I tried double

clicking on the photo and then the layers but the color picker did not come up.

Where is the foreground color chip?

Thanks for your help.

[hatstead]

Rick,

The arrow points to the foreground color (black) chip.

[Guest]

That worked!

Thank You!

I'm going to have to do some tutorials with photoshop. I always did them with other software and it

made a huge difference.

Thanks again!

[hatstead]

You're welcome. Glad to help.