Adding text to an image

You can use the Add Text tool in Edit to add formatted text to a photo, or add talk and thought bubbles to create a comic-book effect. You can also adjust the opacity of the text to create a watermark effect, which is useful for putting copyright information onto your photos.

You can save your options as a preset for future use.

To add text to an image:

  1. In Edit mode, in the Add group, click Text.
  2. Type the text you want to add in the Text field.
  3. In the Font area, specify the font you want to use, the formatting options such as italics or justification, and the color of the text. Drag the Size slider to specify a point size, and then drag the Opacity slider to specify the transparency of the text.
  4. Click and drag the text marquee to reposition it anywhere on your image, or drag the marquee’s handles to resize it.
  5. Select an option from the Blend Mode drop-down list to specify how you want the text to blend into the underlying image.
  6. Do one of the following:
    • Select the Bubble Text check box, and set the Bubble Text settings as explained in the table below. Note that other text effects cannot be applied to bubble text.
    • Select one or more of the Effects, Drop Shadow, and Bevel check boxes to customize your text. Click the Settings button to adjust the settings for each of these options as explained in the table below.
  7. Do one of the following:
    • Click Apply to add the text to your image, and keep the Text tool open so you can add more text. The Text tool creates a new, empty marquee, and you can return to step 3 in the list above.
    • Click Done to add the text to your image, and return to Edit. If you still have an empty marquee open, it will be discarded.
    • Click Cancel to discard your changes and return to Edit.

Add Text options

Bubble Text Settings

Talk

Encloses your text in a comic-book text bubble with a pointed stem.

Thought

Encloses your text in a comic-book text bubble with a dotted stem.

Stem Angle

Specifies the direction of the text bubble stem. Drag the arrow to adjust the angle.

Thickness

Specifies the thickness of the text bubble border.

Length

Specifies the length of the text bubble stem.

Fill

Specifies the background color of the text bubble. Click the arrow to select a color.

Border

Specifies the color of the text bubble border. Click the arrow to select a color.

Effect Settings

Effect

Specifies the effect you want to apply to your text. Each effect has different options that control its appearance. Drag the sliders to adjust the appearance of the text.

Drop Shadow Settings

Distance

Specifies the distance between the drop shadow and the text. The higher the value, the farther the shadow and the higher the text appears.

If a drop shadow is cut off, or has a noticeably sharp edge, you may need to increase the size of the text rectangle.

Blur

Specifies the amount of blur applied to the drop shadow. Sharp shadows tend to seem less realistic than those with a slight blur.

Opacity

Specifies the darkness of the drop shadow where it falls on the image.

Angle

Specifies the direction of the imaginary light source that creates the drop shadow. Drag the arrow to adjust the angle – note that this also adjusts the shading of the text bevel.

Bevel Settings

Bevel

Specifies how much of each letter’s edge is bevelled. Higher values give the text a more rounded, smoother look.

Strength

Specifies the difference between the highest and lowest points on the text. Higher values heighten the difference between the flat portions of the text and the bevelled edges.

Elevation

Specifies the height of the imaginary light source that creates the bevel’s shadowed effect. Lower values produce longer shadows on the text, while a higher value produces a more direct lighting effect and shorter shadows.

Angle

Specifies the direction of the imaginary light source that creates the bevel effect. Drag the arrow to adjust the angle – note that this also adjusts the angle of the drop shadow.

See also:

  • About blend modes and opacity

Adding text to an image