Photoshop: draw a dashed line - how it works

This practical tip explains how to draw a uniform dashed line in Photoshop.

Photoshop: Draw a dashed line

1. In Photoshop, create a new file with a transparent background. The size doesn't matter at first.
2. Now zoom in on the file with the key combination [Ctrl] + [+] up to 1600%. Use the selection rectangle to mark an area 5 pixels wide and 1 pixel high for a horizontal line and 1 pixel wide by 5 pixels high for vertical lines. Then fill this area with the color black (# 000000).
3. Use the selection rectangle to mark the resulting black square. With "Edit" and "Specify pattern" you save this selection as a pattern.
4. You can then open any file and create a line with the "Selection tool"> "Single line".
5. Click "Edit"> "Fill Area"> "Select Pattern" for the horizontal lines.
6. For vertical lines, choose Selection Tool> Single Column and also set the pattern.

This tip applies to Photoshop CS 6. Also read how to change the brightness and contrast of an image in Photoshop.