How to draw a non filled box?

[Nells250]

Hello all

While I have been using PSP for many years (but currently using version 9), I don't get into major editing of shapes and text effects. So, not having a graphic design education, I get very annoyed when I can't figure out how to do certain very simple things.

Right now, all I want to do is draw a beige box on a green background. But I don't want a filled in box, I want an outlined box. Beige lines, if you will. Not sure how to describe it other than it should be a box drawn in beige. But all I am getting is a solid filled beige box, not a nice "outlined" box. I'm looking at the book that came with the software, and still can't figure it out. It should be a very simple thing to do.

Can anyone give me a hint or two on how to do this?? I bet it is very simple and I am just too frustrated to see it...

[Kathy_9]

Okay, I'm going to assume you already have your green background layer established. 1.) Next go to your Tools toolbar and click on the arrow on the Preset Shape icon and select the rectangle. 2.) Now you can go to the Tools Options Palette and click on the square button. 3.)On your Materials Palette set your beige color on the Foreground/Stroke color swatch and 4.) set your Background/Fill color swatch to transparent. 5.) You can now specify the width of the box outline by adjusting the Line Style width.

[photodrawken]

Another method (which works with any shape) is to make a selection. In your case, use the rectangular selection tool. Then use Selections...Modify...Select selection borders to specify the width of the lines you want. Be sure to use the "Inside" option to prevent rounded corners. You can fill that new selection area with any colour you want. The disadvantage, of course, is that it's a raster object, so if you resize it in only one dimension the widths of the lines will no longer be equal.

[Nells250]

OK, I managed to make the box using Kathy9's info, BUT I don't see anything where I can make the box "transparent". What I did was make the green background, then make the solid beige box. Next, I right-clicked the box, selected "edit", and then was able to change the line width.

Thing is, it only seems to work when I have the background color selected. Not sure exactly how to explain it...

I also tried photodrawken's idea, which was interesting since I don't think I ever used the selection menu!!

I appreciate the help, and patience with someone who isn't a pro!

[Nells250]

[photodrawken]

I don't see anything where I can make the box "transparent".

Kathy's step #4 -- before drawing the box, set your background swatch to transparent.

After the fact, use the Pick tool to select your box and set your background swatch in the Materials palette to transparent.

Edit:
This is using PSPX5.

[Kathy_9]

Yes, what Ken said. Sometimes it's easier if you can see it. If you click where the red arrow is pointing, it will make the background/fill swatch transparent.

[Nells250]

AHA!! I was "being transparent" without even knowing it! Now, if I can just remember all this! There was a time when I was sharp as a tack... (sigh)...