can I create a transparent box and then outline?

[simple_chi]

I have been creating transparent boxes with a very small outline by:
1. creating the square shape, in one color (say blue)
2. adding a stroke outline in a second color (say black)
3. using the magic wand to select all the blue color and
4. cutting the blue...
leaving me with just the outline.

I'm doing this on my 365 pages, so I can put both the photo and some text inside the outline, hence the need for the box to be transparent, because I want the outline to be the layer most in the front. (I create another shape to group/mask the photo with inside the outline). So, I'm doing this over and over - but if there were a way to create just the outline, it would save lots of time.

Thanks,
Lynn

[hguenthe]

If I am understanding what you are doing, I think you could simply use the square marquee tool to drag out to the size you want your outline to be on a layer so that you have marching ants and then just use the stroke feature. The stroke will happen where you have the marching ants of the marquee tool without needing to actually have a colored box to stroke & then delete the colored box. Does that make sense and what you want to do?

[sarahorton]

Yep, what Heather said. Create a new transparent layer (click the Create a New Layer icon at the top of the Layers Palette) then use the Marquee tool to drag out your transparent box. Select Edit > Stroke. You'll have just an empty, outlined box.

[simple_chi]

Great. I knew there had to be a better way than I was doing it (I forgot to also mention I was having to simplify before doing Edit/Stroke).

Thanks!!!!!!