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Create a new document (RGB mode). I like to work with plenty of space
even when creating small graphics - often 550px by 400px. Choose the
Text tool and click to open the text dialog box. Select your Dingbat
font - this is Hong's 2 Dings, character "E". Set the size
much larger than you would with text - I often use 150 to 250 pt. You
can always reduce the size, but make sure it the resulting character
is at least as large as your finished graphic. Choose your color, and
click OK. Leading and tracking does not matter. If you need more than
one character, I recommend creating each one separately.
Duplicate the layer. You may wish to make the original layer invisible,
but it is a good idea to keep a copy of the original. When working with
filters and effects, sometimes you may wish to start over. Other times,
you can use the original layer to create to the final look. In the example
here, the original black layer creates the outline effect.
Render the working layer (Layer>Type> Render Layer in the menu
or right click (Option Click) on the T in the layers window. Choose
Render Layer. Your dingbat is now a graphic element and cannot be edited
as text. Apply filters or effects to create the look you want.
In this sample, I applied a Radial Fill from teal to red. Using Layers>
Effects, I applied an Inner Shadow and then a mild Gaussian Blur filter.
A Drop Shadow with default values, but Blur set to 12, completed the
effect. The original black dingbat layer provides the black outline.
To bring the eyes closer together, I rendered the original text layer
and merged the working layer with the original. I selected one eye and
moved it closer, cropped, and resized the image.
Once you have rendered the dingbat, all options, including those not
available for text can be used.
Use PhotoShop Actions to instantly create an entire set of consistent
graphics from your Dingbat font. Continue to the next page for more
information.
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