[Rob Barron]

Thanks to FionaB who originally wrote the instructions for making this type of brush.

At the bottom of your photo or even right across the middle if you really want to, you can add a copyright message very simply without having to type it all out every time. Not only that but you can have it in any colour and any size with just one click. Here is how...

Ok, start with a new document in Photoshop. The first tool you'll use is that 'splodge' shape. Can't see it? Well it is on your main tool box but you might have it hidden. No problem, hit Shift + U until it appears here:

Ok, now we need to make sure we are working with pixels, so up on the top toolbar, known as the Context Sensitive toolbar because it changes depending on what tool you have selected, click on the right of three buttons. It looks like this:

Now we can get started. Along this same toolbar, you'll see a button marked 'Shape' click on that because we're going to select the 'Copyright' simple. If you don't get a drop down that looks like this:

then click on the little triangle at the top right of the scrollbar, just below where it says 'Style' and then select 'All'. Now you will find the 'Copyright' symbol is there so click on it to select it.

Hit 'D' on your keyboard to select the default colours (Black foreground, White background). Now you just use this like any graphic: On your page, drag out a copyright symbol, not too big. Best to zoom in and see it rather than make it too big as the brush we are making will be the same size as you make it now. You can resize the brush of course but still better to get it close to what we want now.

Ok, Now select the Type tool and just use the normal Horizontal tool type (you can just hit 'T' on the keyboard by the way!):

Type your copyright message and size it according to how you want it to look next to the copyright symbol. You can play around with it until it is how you want it.

Ok, now take the rectangular marquee selection tool:

and make a selection around your entire message like so:

Nearly there now :o) Just go to Edit > Define Brush Preset and you will get a small window with your brush selected. It won't look great as it will be squashed but don't worry about that. Give it a name, something that will make it obvious:

That's all there is to it. Close that window down and you're ready to try out your new brush. Ok, to find it, just select brush (or hit 'B') and up on the toolbar, click on the little triangle next to 'Brush' for a drop down menu. Scroll all the way down to the bottom and your new brush is there.

Once you've selected it, pick a colour, any colour you like :o) Go onto your page, click anywhere and bingo, you've got your Copyright message. You can make it smaller, bigger, rotate it, do whatever you like. You can even paint strokes with it if you really want to but not sure why you would! But play around and by simply changing colours I did this (ok, so I got bored ok!)...

The same technique applies for making ANY customised brush be it with letters, a picture or whatever. It's very versatile so if there is anything you regularly need to add to a picture or whatever, you now know how to make your very own brush to do it.

Thanks again to FionaB for the message and I hope you find this tutorial helpful.

Cheers,
Rob

[Steve400]

great job Rob!

i usually used a program picture shark for this but that is twice as handy, i always thought there must be away of doing that in PS!

cheers,
Steve

[Rob Barron]

My pleasure Steve, glad it was helpful :o)

[Ken Hawk]

Ok I have made the brush, no problems.
How do you change colour & rotate it ?
Thanks Ken

[fionaB]

to change the colour just select a different foreground colour by clicking on the top one of the two overlapping squares on the tool bar ( usually black and white)..... not sure how to rotate it!

Fi

[orangepeel]

I'd guess, put it on it's own layer then use the free transform tool.

[fionaB]

oh good thinking! lol didint think about that OP cheers!

Fi

[JMitchell]

Cool tut. Nice idea, and works well...