How to make a glow around a person/object?

[Nathan Towle]

I want to just have a glow behind someone.  I know I could make a layer behind it, draw a soft line all the way around the object, and then blur it, but is there an easier way?  Maybe something that could make an automatic outline of an object?  Thanks in advanced.

-TitanVex

[hatstead · Accepted solution]

TitanVex,

http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1XSChkSj88uk6oDO0SoLFrHVezOQ1

1. Make your selection with one of the selection tools. I used the Magic Extractor
2. Place the selection on its own layer, and make the selection active (CTRL+left click the layer thumbnail) - should see marching ants
3. Go to Layer>Layer Styles>Style Settings
4. Check outer glow and set the parameters for the glow.

[Nathan Towle]

Thank you so much!!!

[hatstead]

You're welcome. How did you make out with the gradient directions that

I posted?

[Nathan Towle]

Really good.  At first, I was confused because I did not want that black part of the gradient in the picture.  But then when the other two people talked about the clipping group, I combined your information with theirs, and it works really really well.  I appreciate all of your help!!