Humbug Graphics Galore

Steampunk Hot Air Balloon

2012-01-10T22:00:00.000-06:00

This tutorial will show you how use Paint Shop Pro to make a hot air balloon in the Victorian or Steampunk style.

1. Open up a new Vector canvas. Mine is 1000 x 1000 pixels.

2. Choose a background material (color,gradient or pattern) and then select the Rectangle Tool and draw out a rectangle.

3. The rectangle should be 5% of the total width, 100% of the total height and placed on the left of the canvas. Edit the numbers in the Rectangle Tool palette if your rectangle is the wrong size or in the wrong location.

Horizontal Radius = 0
Vertical Radius = 0
Left = 0
Top = 0
Width = 50
Height = 1000

4. Repeat step 2, but place the rectangle to the right of the first rectangle.

Horizontal Radius = 0
Vertical Radius = 0
Left = 50
Top = 0
Width = 50
Height = 1000

5. Make a new rectangle that is twice the width of the previous rectangle (or 10% of the total width of the canvas) and place to the right of the previous rectangle.

Horizontal Radius = 0
Vertical Radius = 0
Left = 100
Top = 0
Width = 100
Height = 1000

6. Make a new rectangle that is the same width as the previous rectangle and place to the right of the previous rectangle.

Horizontal Radius = 0
Vertical Radius = 0
Left = 200
Top = 0
Width = 100
Height = 1000

7. Repeat Step 6.

Horizontal Radius = 0
Vertical Radius = 0
Left = 300
Top = 0
Width = 100
Height = 1000

8. Make a rectangle that is twice the width of the previous rectangle (and should 20% the total width of the canvas). Place this in the center.

Horizontal Radius = 0
Vertical Radius = 0
Left = 400
Top = 0
Width = 200
Height = 1000

9. Make a rectangle that is the same size as in Step 5 and place to the right of the previous rectangle.

Horizontal Radius = 0
Vertical Radius = 0
Left = 600
Top = 0
Width = 100
Height = 1000

10. Repeat Step 9 two more times.

Horizontal Radius = 0
Vertical Radius = 0
Left = 700
Top = 0
Width = 100
Height = 1000

Horizontal Radius = 0
Vertical Radius = 0
Left = 800
Top = 0
Width = 100
Height = 1000

11. Make a rectangle half the width of the previous rectangle and place to the right of the previous rectangle.

Horizontal Radius = 0
Vertical Radius = 0
Left = 900
Top = 0
Width = 50
Height = 1000

12. Make a rectangle the same width as the previous rectangle and place to the right of the previous rectangle. This should be the last rectangle.

Horizontal Radius = 0
Vertical Radius = 0
Left = 950
Top = 0
Width = 50
Height = 1000

13. Click the check to apply any changes to the vector as well as de-select the vector object.

14. Optional. If you want a bigger balloon, resize now while everything is a vector. I started at 1000 x 1000 because it made the numbers easier to calculate.

15. If you started with a Vector Layer, then all the rectangles should be on the same layer. Click the layer and select 'Convert to Raster'.

16. Use the Circle Effect (Effects > Geometric Effects > Circle) to convert the rectangles into a ball.

Edge mode = Transparent

17. Select the Symmetric Shape Tool ( H ). Select 'Draw Polygon', Number of sides = 4, Width = 4. Set the Background Material to Transparent and the Foreground Material to the color, gradient or pattern of your choice.

18. Click at the top, center of the canvas and draw out the four-sided square until it covers the one-fourth of the canvas.

19. Ctrl + C to copy the polygon, then Ctrl + G to paste it as a vector object. Move it to the top, center of the canvas.

20. Ctrl + G to paste as a vector object, then move to another location on the top half of the canvas.

21. Repeat Step 20 until a lattice or net has been created on the top half of the canvas.

22. Select All (Ctrl + A) to select all the vector than go to the Object Selection Tool or Pick Tool.

23. Drag the lattice until is is past the mid-point of the canvas.

24. Click the vector layer with the Symmetric Objects and select 'Convert to Raster'.

25. Use the Spherize Effect (Effects > Geometric Effects > Spherize) to warp the netting into a round shape.

26. Select the bottom layer (the one with the balloon).

27. Everything should still be selected from Step 22. Ctrl + F to Float. This grabs the shape of the balloon.

29. Ctrl + Shift + F to De-Float.

30. Select the layer with the lattice/netting.

31. Invert the selection (Ctrl + Shift + I).

32. Press the delete key to erase the extra netting.

33. Ctrl + D to Select None.

34. The top of the balloon is complete. It now needs a basket and some string to to attach the netting to the basket. Do steps 1-14 of my pail tutorial to make a basket.

35. Increase the size of the canvas to accommodate the basket. I made my canvas 1000 px wide by 1500 px high.

36. Select both the interior and exterior vectors, then Ctrl + G to paste it as a vector object.

37. Select the Pen Tool. Set the background material to transparent and the foreground material to the same as the netting (Step 17). Here are my pen settings. Your settings will depend on the width of your original netting.

Show Nodes = Checked
Line Style = +Solid
Width = 6

38. Click the one of the points of the netting, then click the edge of the basket. This draws a line.

39. Right-click on the node at the netting. Choose Node Type > Curve After.

40. Repeat Steps 38 and 39 to make all the strings or use the Bezier Curve option.

The basic design is now complete. Add shadows, textures and embellishments as desired.

Blue Stripe Alpha

2012-01-01T14:29:00.000-06:00

I found this alpha in my cutting directory today while I was working on another alpha. I don't remember why I made it. Anyways, I thought I would share it.

Blue Stripe

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 24

2011-12-24T00:51:00.000-06:00

Last Advent alpha for this year. I hope everyone has enjoyed the series this year.

Striped Candy Cane 24

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 23

2011-12-23T00:03:00.000-06:00

Striped Candy Cane 23

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 22

2011-12-22T00:03:00.001-06:00

Striped Candy Cane 22

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 21

2011-12-21T00:03:00.000-06:00

Striped Candy Cane 21

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 20

2011-12-20T00:51:00.001-06:00

Striped Candy Cane 20

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 19

2011-12-18T15:56:00.001-06:00

This posting is a bit early (for the 19th day of Advent), but I have to grab time when I have it. 4shared has made Premium accounts 30% off, so I have bought/renewed my Premium account. Instant downloads should be re-enabled. I hope everyone enjoys my alphabets.

Striped Candy Cane 19

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 18

2011-12-18T00:51:00.001-06:00

Striped Candy Cane 18

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 17

2011-12-17T00:03:00.000-06:00

Striped Candy Cane 17

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 16

2011-12-16T00:51:00.001-06:00

Striped Candy Cane 16

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 15

2011-12-15T00:51:00.003-06:00

Striped Candy Cane 15

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 14

2011-12-14T00:03:00.001-06:00

My Premium 4shared account is about to expire. I am holding out with hopes of a December sale so that I can buy another year at a cheaper price. I apologize if instant downloads become disabled.

Striped Candy Cane 14

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 13

2011-12-13T09:31:00.001-06:00

Sorry for the delay in posting. My router decided it didn't want to work, so I couldn't connect to the internet. Here is the alpha for today.

Striped Candy Cane 13

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 12

2011-12-12T00:03:00.002-06:00

Striped Candy Cane 12

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 11

2011-12-11T00:03:00.000-06:00

Striped Candy Cane 11

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 10

2011-12-10T00:03:00.000-06:00

Striped Candy Cane 10

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 9

2011-12-09T00:03:00.000-06:00

Striped Candy Cane 9

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 8

2011-12-08T00:03:00.000-06:00

Striped Candy Cane 8

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 7

2011-12-07T00:03:00.000-06:00

Striped Candy Cane 7 Alpha

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 6

2011-12-06T00:03:00.000-06:00

Striped Candy Cane 6 Alpha

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 5

2011-12-05T00:03:00.000-06:00

Striped Candy Cane 5 Alpha

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 4

2011-12-04T00:03:00.001-06:00

Striped Candy Cane 4 Alpha

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 3

2011-12-03T00:03:00.002-06:00

Striped Candy Cane 3 Alpha

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 2

2011-12-02T00:03:00.000-06:00

S triped Candy Cane 2 Alpha

Striped Candy Cane Alpha 1

2011-11-30T17:00:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the 2011 Alpha Advent Calendar. This one is posted early so that I can match up with midnight in Amsterdam and the start of Worldwide Christmas Scrapbooking Freebies. Come back each day for a new alpha in the series.

Striped Candy Cane 1 Alpha

Candy Cane Alphas for Advent

2011-11-27T14:16:00.000-06:00

I haven't been very creative this year, but I still wanted to offer some alphas during December. I am offering a different candy cane alpha for the 24 days of advent. Here is a preview of the different alphas.

These alphas will be my contribution to Worldwide Christmas Scrapbooking Freebies.

Come back December 1st for the first alpha. You can see all my freebies for this event through the advent calendar tag.

Animated Mosaic Glitter Tile

2011-11-11T13:51:00.001-06:00

I like to use mosaic glitter tiles as fills in my animated alphabets, and I recently learned an easier way to make them. It requires more plugins than my original tutorial.

Plugins Needed:
Xero Fritillary plugin
Simple Filter s plugin

1. Open 100 x 100 canvas with transparent background.

2. Fill canvas with color of choice.

3. Use Xero Fritillary plugin to make the mosaic pattern. My settings are for a 10 x 10 tile.

Granularity = 10
Aggression = 40
Tesselation = 30
Variation = 50

4. Do steps 13 -19 in my original Animated Mosical Glitter Tile tutorial.

Here is my tile.

Autumn Harvest

2011-09-11T10:42:00.000-05:00

I made this kit for SNL68. I hope people can use it this year.

Scrap Kit

Alpha

Animated Alpha Name Tag

2011-09-05T11:43:00.001-05:00

This tutorial details how to make a name tag with an animated alpha using Animation Shop. Animation Shop is a program that used to come with Paint Shop Pro. This program is no longer support. I do not know if it works in Windows Vista or Windows 7.

Supplies:
Animation Shop
Animated Tiles Alpha

1. Open up the letters of my Animated Tiles Alpha in Animation Shop. You can do this using File > Open and then selecting the file or dragging the file into the program.

2. Open a new animation (File > New) with a transparent background that will be large enough to hold the entire name tag.

3. Look at the number of frames for the letters in the alpha. There are 10 frames for each letter in this alpha.

4. The new animation starts with one frame, so you need to add 9 more frames (total # of frames in letter -1) to the animation. Go to Animation > Insert Frames > Empty.

5. For 'Number of Frames' enter the number that is the total # of frames in the letter - 1. In this instance, it is 9.

6. Now you have a blank animation with 10 empty frames moving at the speed of one frame per 10th of a second. All the frames should be selected. If not, Ctrl + A to select all the frames.

7. In the edit menu, select 'Propogate Paste'.

8. Go to the first letter of the word. Notice that only the first frame is selected.

9. Ctrl + A to select all the frames.

10. Go to the empty animation and Ctrl + E to paste the letter into the blank animation.

11. Repeat steps 9 and 10 for each additional letter in the tag.

12. Optional. If the canvas is too big, then use the crop tool to remove the extra. Select the crop tool.

13. Optional. Select the part of the image to be kept.

14. Optional. Click the 'Crop' button to finish the crop.

15. Press F12 to save the image. Select a file name and press 'Save'.

16. Make sure the slider is all the way at the top for the best quality image. Click 'Customize'.

17. Choose the settings which will give you the best animation. Here are my settings.

18. Click 'Ok', then 'Next' 3 times, then 'Finish' to complete the process of saving the image.

It was hard to choose an alpha for this tutorial and this alpha may be harder than most to use as each color has a different timing. This is the timing for each of the different colors in this alpha. I have also included a text file with the timing chart in the zip file.

Pink - No delay
Purple - 1/10 sec
Indigo - 2/10 sec
Blue - 3/10 sec
Teal - 4/10 sec
Green - 5/10 sec
Yellow - 6/10 sec
Brown - 7/10 sec
Orange - 8/10 sec
Red - 9/10 sec

Neon Blue Two-Tone

2011-08-04T23:30:00.000-05:00

The person also wanted the letters in royal blue with a golden glow. The reverse didn't look so good, so I'm only making this version available.

Alpha

Neon Blue Alpha

2011-08-03T23:30:00.001-05:00

This is a re-coloring of last year's advent alpha #17. Someone wanted it in royal blue.

Alpha

Country Garden

2011-08-02T13:05:00.001-05:00

I haven't had time to design recently so I'm trying to post some SNL kits that I made last year. This was the theme for last July, Country Garden. I took some photos of plants in my garden and turned it into a kit. It has a complete alpha made out of flowers.

Kit

Alpha

Art Nouveau Quick Page

2011-08-01T12:50:00.001-05:00

This is a quick page that I made using my Art Nouveau kit. I hope people can use it.

Quick Page

Art Nouveau

2011-07-31T12:50:00.000-05:00

This is the Art Nouveau kit that I made for SNL 63. I hope people can use it.

Papers

Elements

Gradient Editor

2011-07-30T22:27:00.001-05:00

This is a note to myself on how to find the gradient editor in CS3 and up. I keep forgetting how to access the editor and having to look it up, so this time, I took some screen shots to help me remember.

In the tool bar, click on the center of the gradient to bring up the gradient editor.

In the layer style dialog, click the center of the gradient to bring up the gradient editor.

Stars & Stripes Quick Page

2011-07-04T16:00:00.002-05:00

Here is a quick page using my Stars & Stripes kit. Enjoy.

Quick Page

Stars & Stripes

2011-07-04T15:56:00.006-05:00

I had meant to post this kit sooner, but I forgot. Hopefully people can use it next year. It is one I made for SNL last year.

Papers

Elements

Patriotic Chipboard Alphas

2011-07-02T17:10:00.000-05:00

I was experimenting and I couldn't decide which of these styles I liked best, so I decided to make them all available. There are three separate zip files so if you do like one of the styles, but not the others, you do not need to download them all.

Version 1

Version 2

Version 3

Text in a Shape

2011-06-28T12:35:00.000-05:00

This tutorial will show you how to make text in a particular shape in Photoshop.

1. Select a Preset Shape. I have chosen the default heart shape (Heart Card) that comes with Photoshop. If you want to see it, then choose a color for it, but the color does not matter.

2. On your open canvas, draw out the shape to the desired size.

3. Select the text tool and hover in the middle of the shape. The tool should develop a circle.

4. Click and type your text in your chosen color.

5. Hide the layer with the preset shape by clicking the eye for that layer in the Layer palette.

The text is now complete. You can delete the shape path in the Paths palette, if desired.

Easy Journal Blocks

2011-06-27T20:23:00.002-05:00

This tutorial will show you how to quickly make journal blocks using preset shapes that come with Photoshop.

1. Go to the Preset Shapes Tool and choose a preset shape. I am using the Frame shapes which come with Photoshop. If they are not loaded, you can load them by clicking the triangle and then selecting 'Frames' from the dropdown menu.

If prompted to replace, click 'OK' to replace or click 'Append' to add them to the existing shapes.

2. I am using Frame 04. Set the color to black (because all the journal block examples I saw on the internet were black).

3. Draw out the shape.

4. In the Path palette, select the shape layer if it isn't selected and then click the button for 'Load Path as a Selection'.

5. Shift + Ctrl + I to invert the selection.

6. In the Path palette, click the button for 'Make work path from Selection'.

7. Select the text tool and hover in the empty middle of the shape. The tool should develop a circle.

8. Select a font that has an underscore (some free fonts on the internet may not). I chose Tahoma. Set the color to black.

9. Type the underscore multiple times to create lines. If the lines go too close to the edge of the shape, then hit return then continue typing the underscore character for the next line.

10. In the Path palette, select the work path and then click the trash can to delete it. The journaling block is now complete.

Text on a Path

2011-06-26T16:35:00.000-05:00

I have used paths to curve text in previous tutorials, but I thought I would go through the steps to make very simple curved text in Photoshop.

1. First, it is necessary to generate the curved path on which the text will sit. The easiest way to do this is to create a circle or an ellipse using the Ellipse Tool. Make sure that 'Paths' is selected in the tool bar.

2. Select the Text Tool. This tutorial covers the location of the text when the text is Centered, so make 'Center Text' is selected.

3. Hover the Text Tool over the Path. The tool should develop a curved line through it.

4. Click on the path and a blinking cursor should appear. You can now type your text.

Here are examples as to what happens depending on where you click.

Top

Left

Right

Bottom

5. In the Path tab, highlight the Work Path and then click the trashcan to delete it.

The curved text is now complete.

Rivet in Photoshop

2011-06-19T00:22:00.001-05:00

This tutorial will show you how to make a rivet in Photoshop.

1. Open up a new canvas. Mine is 200 x 200.

2. Select the Ellipse Tool and draw out a circle on the canvas. To make it easy, in Ellipse Options, check 'Circle'. Make the circle white.

3. Go to Layer Styles and set a Metallic Gradient Overlay for the layer. If you don't have a metallic gradient, you can use the defaults ones that come with PS by clicking on the triangle (or set of menu bars depending on version) and then selecting 'Metals' from the dropdown menu.

4. When asked, you can either click 'Ok' to replace your existing gradients or 'Append' to add it to your existing gradients. I chose 'Append'.

5. I am using the 'Silver' gradient at 100%. Set the gradient to an angle of 125^o.

6. Add a dark Inner Shadow.

Blend Mode = Multiply
Color = #000000
Opacity = 85
Angle = -45
Use Global Light = Checked
Distance = 15
Choke = 0
Size = 15
Contour = Linear
Anti-aliased = Unchecked
Noise = 0

7. Add a light Inner Glow.

Blend Mode = Screen
Opacity = 85
Noise = 0
Color = #FFFFFF
Technique = Softer
Source = Edge
Choke = 5
Size = 15
Contour = Half Round
Anti-aliased = UnChecked
Range = 50
Noise = 0

8. With the Ellipse Tool, draw another circle. Make it smaller than the first circle.

9. With the Ellipse Tool, draw a third circle which is smaller than the second circle.

10. Select all the layers (Ctrl + Alt + A).

11. Select the Move Tool and click 'Align Vertical Centers'.

12. Next click 'Align Horizontal Centers'.

13. Select the middle ellipse (the second shape layer) and turn off the Gradient Overlay by clicking the eye next to the layer effect.

14. Go to the Inner Glow Effect and change the Blend Mode to Multiply and the color to Black. Reduce the Opacity to 65% and increase the size. I increased to 65 pixels, but if you have a larger rivet, then increase even more.

Blend Mode = Multiply
Opacity = 85
Noise = 0
Color = #000000
Technique = Softer
Source = Edge
Choke = 5
Size = 65
Contour = Linear
Anti-aliased = UnChecked
Range = 50
Noise = 0

The plain rivet is now complete. The following steps detail how to add text around the edge.

15. Optional. On the Path tab, select the path containing the shape.

16. Optional. Select the Text Tool and hover over the path until a line appears through the tool.

17. Optional. Type out your text. Make sure it is white.

18. Optional. Go to the Move Tool and use it to increase the size of the text 110%. If you keep the same center (X, Y) as the original path, this will also move the text out and away from the edge of the dark inset.

For illustration purposes, I have left my text black so that it is easier to see.

19. Optional. Copy the layer style from the second ellipse.

20. Optional. Paste the layer style to the text layer.

21. Optional. On styles for the text layer, reduce the size of the inner glow.

Blend Mode = Multiply
Opacity = 65
Noise = 0
Color = #000000
Technique = Softer
Source = Edge
Choke = 5
Size = 15
Contour = Linear
Anti-aliased = UnChecked
Range = 50
Noise = 0

22. Optional. Reduce the distance of the Inner Shadow.

Blend Mode = Multiply
Color = #000000
Opacity = 85
Angle = -45
Use Global Light = Checked
Distance = 0
Choke = 0
Size = 15
Contour = Linear
Anti-aliased = Unchecked
Noise = 0

The rivet is now complete.

Text on a Curve

2011-06-17T11:40:00.001-05:00

I have used vectors to curve text in previous tutorials, but I thought I would go through the steps to make very simple curved text in Paint Shop Pro.

1. First, it is necessary to generate the curved vector on which the text will sit. The easiest way to do this is to create a circle or an ellipse using the Ellipse Tool. It doesn't matter what fill is used for the ellipse as it will either be deleted or hidden after the text is complete.

Show Nodes = Checked
Create on Vector = Checked

2. Select the Text Tool. Make sure 'Create as Vector' is selected.

3. Hover the text tool over the vector path that is part of the ellipse. A curve should appear under the 'A' in the text tool .

4. Click and the text box will appear. Type your text.

5. If you clicked on the top of the vector (and you have 'Align Center' selected for your text tool), then the text will be on top of the shape.

Here are examples as to what happens depending on where you click.

Top

Left Side

Right Side

Bottom

6. If you want the text to go in a different direction, first convert the ellipse to a path by selecting the Pen Tool, then right-click and select 'Convert to Path' from the menu.

7. Right-click again and select 'Edit' and then 'Reverse Path' from the menu.

Here is how the text looks depending on where you click on the shape after reversing the path.

Top

Left

Right

Bottom

8. Hide the shape and the text is complete.

Screw in Photoshop

2011-06-12T09:41:00.001-05:00

Here is the screw tutorial for Photoshop. Instead of the Cutout Effect, it uses Layer Styles.

1. Open up a new canvas. Mine is 200 x 200.

2. Select the Ellipse Tool and draw out a circle on the canvas. To make it easy, in Ellipse Options, check 'Circle'. The color of the circle does not matter it will be covered up with layer styles.

4. When asked, you can either click 'Ok' to replace your existing gradients or 'Append' to add it to your existing gradients. I chose 'Append'.

5. I am using the 'Silver' gradient at 100%. Set the gradient to an angle of 125^o.

6. Add a dark Inner Shadow.

Blend Mode = Multiply
Color = #000000
Opacity = 86
Angle = -45
Use Global Light = Checked
Distance = 15
Choke = 0
Size = 15
Contour = Linear
Anti-aliased = Unchecked
Noise = 0

7. Add a light Inner Glow.

Blend Mode = Screen
Opacity = 85
Noise = 0
Color = #FFFFFF
Technique = Softer
Source = Edge
Choke = 5
Size = 15
Contour = Half Round
Anti-aliased = UnChecked
Range = 50
Noise = 0

8. Select the shape for the type of screw. The shape must be white. For a flat head or Phillips head. choose the Rectangle Tool.

For an Allen head, choose the Polygon Tool and set the sides to 6.

9. Make sure that 'Create New Shape Layer' is selected and draw out the shape.

For the flat head screw and the Phillips head, draw out the rectangle so that it stretches across the middle of the circle.

For the Allen head, place the cursor in the middle of the canvas and then drag outwards to draw out the hexagon. If it isn't in the middle, then use the Mover tool to move it to the middle.

10. Optional. For the Phillips head, make sure that 'Add to shape area' is selected. Then draw a rectangle perpendicular to the first.

11. Optional. If the Layer Style from the first shape was duplicated, clear it by selecting the default style.

12. Go to Layer Styles and set the Layer Opacity to 65% and the Fill Opacity to 0%.

13. Apply an Inner Shadow.

Blend Mode = Multiply
Color = #000000
Opacity = 75
Angle = -45
Use Global Light = Checked
Distance = 5
Choke = 0
Size = 15
Contour = Linear
Anti-aliased = Unchecked
Noise = 0

14. Apply an Inner Glow.

Blend Mode = Multiply
Opacity = 75
Noise = 0
Color = #000000
Technique = Softer
Source = Edge
Choke = 0
Size = 15
Contour = Linear
Anti-aliased = UnChecked
Noise = 0

15. Optional. Use the Move Tool (or Edit > Transform Path > Rotate) to rotate the second shape layer 45 degrees.

The screw is now complete. You can also make a simple rivet by putting a circle in the center.

Rivet

2011-06-04T23:27:00.000-05:00

The second tutorial for the SNL Father's theme is for rivets. I had asked in my tutorial group the difference between an eyelet and a rivet and was mostly told that a rivet is solid. So, I modified my screw tutorial for rivets. This tutorial will also use Cutout Effect to create highlights and shadows.

1. Make a new canvas. Mine is 200 x 200 because my screw head is pretty small.

2. Choose the Ellipse Tool and then choose the Circle shape. With the foreground set to transparent and the background set to the color of your rivet, draw out a circle to fit the canvas.

3. Choose the Object Selection Tool (or Pick Tool) and click the "Center in Canvas" icon.

4. Ctrl + Shift + B to obtain the selection from the vector object.

5. Create a new layer (Layers > New Raster Layer).

6. Apply a white cutout (Effects > 3D Effects > Cutout) to the new layer.

Vertical = 5
Horizontal = 5
Opacity = 100
Blur = 30.00
Shadow Color = White

7. Create a new layer (Layers > New Raster Layer).

8. Apply a black cutout (Effects > 3D Effects > Cutout) to the new layer.

Vertical = -5
Horizontal = -5
Opacity = 100
Blur = 30.00
Shadow Color = Black

9. Go to the Ellipse Tool and click the 'Draw Circle' icon if it isn't already selected, then flip the foreground and background materials so that the background material is now transparent.

10. Set the width to 25. Draw out a new circle. This time, the circle should have a thick border and the interior should be hollow. This will be the ring between the other part of the rivet and the inner 'nub'.

11. Choose the Object Selection Tool (or Pick Tool) and click the "Center in Canvas" icon.

12. Ctrl + Shift + B to obtain the selection from the vector object.

13. Apply a black cutout (Effects > 3D Effects > Cutout) to the selection. You may get an auto-action confirmation dialog. Click 'OK', if you do.

14. Reduce the horizontal and vertical offsets on the Cutout Effect (Effects > 3D Effects > Cutout).

Vertical =1
Horizontal =1
Opacity = 100
Blur = 30.00
Shadow Color = Black

15. The rivet is now complete if you don't want to add words.

16. Optional. To make the 'nub' in the center more pronounced, select it with the magic wand, then repeat steps 5-8.

17. Optional. Merge the shadow and highlight layers create through the Cutout Effect. I used Layers > Merge > Merge Down.

18. Optional. Apply a Gaussian blur.

19. Optional. To add words, you must first create a circular path. Go to the first vector layer (the one with the solid, filled circle). Duplicate this layer (Layers > Duplicate).

20. Optional. Move the layer to the top.

21. Optional. Expand the layer and then click the 'New Ellipse' layer to make this circle the active vector.

22. Optional. Re-size the circle so that it is slightly larger than the ring.

23. Optional. Go to the text tool. Make sure 'Create as Vector' is chosen.

24. Optional. Click on the edge of the circle.

25. Optional. Type your text and make any spacing adjustments necessary.

26. Optional. Hide the circle layer by clicking on the eye next to the 'New Ellipse' layer.

27. Optional. Ctrl + Shift + B to obtain the selection from the vector object.

28. Optional. Convert the text layer to a raster layer (Layers > Convert to Raster Layer).

29. Optional. Apply a black cutout to the text to make it appear that the text has been burnt into the rivet.

Vertical =1
Horizontal =1
Opacity = 100
Blur = 30.00
Shadow Color = Black

All the optional steps on the rivet are now complete.

Screw

2011-06-04T09:18:00.001-05:00

The theme for SNL this month is Fathers and I promised two tutorials. This is the first one. It details how to make a screw head and is based on my screw script for PSP. It uses the Cutout Effect to create highlights and shadows.

1. Make a new canvas. Mine is 200 x 200 because my screw head is pretty small.

2. Choose the Selection Tool (S) and then set the Selection Type to Circle.

3. Click the center of the canvas and draw out a circle.

4. Fill the selection with a metallic gradient. I used the Metal Steel gradient that comes with PSP.

Gradient = Metal steel
Angle = 315
Repeats = 0
Invert = Checked
Style = Linear

5. Duplicate the layer (Layers > Duplicate).

6. Apply a Gaussian blur to the duplicated layer.

Radius = 5

7. Create a new layer (Layers > New Raster Layer).

8. Apply a white cutout (Effects > 3D Effects > Cutout) to the new layer.

Vertical = 5
Horizontal = 5
Opacity = 100
Blur = 30.00
Shadow Color = White

9. Create a new layer (Layers > New Raster Layer).

10. Apply a black cutout (Effects > 3D Effects > Cutout) to the new layer.

Vertical = -5
Horizontal = -5
Opacity = 100
Blur = 30.00
Shadow Color = Black

11. Create a new layer (Layers > New Raster Layer).

12. Ctrl + D to Select None. This means that steps 4-10 all use the same selection.

13. Choose the selection tool and choose a Selection Type based the type of screw that you want to make. If you want to make a flat head or a Phillips head screw, then choose rectangle. If you want to make an Allen head screw, then choose hexagon.

14. If a flat head or a Phillips head screw, draw out the rectangle so that it covers the entire width of the circle.

15. Optional. For the Phillips head screw, press the shift key, then draw out a second rectangle that is perpendicular to the first rectangle.

16. Optional. For the Allen head screw, draw out a hexagon in the center of the circle.

17. Apply a black cutout (Effects > 3D Effects > Cutout) to the selection with a smaller vertical and horizontal offset.

Vertical =3
Horizontal =3
Opacity = 100
Blur = 30.00
Shadow Color = Black

18. Ctrl + D to Select None.

19. Rotate 45 degrees (Image > Rotate > Free Rotate)

The screw head is now complete. You can merge the layers, if needed.

Chipboard Texture

2011-05-19T20:17:00.002-05:00

I could not find a tutorial on how to make a chipboard texture and I was fiddling with some chipboard actions so I wrote down these steps for my own reference. I'm not sure if this looks like real chipboard but it does look like chipboard on some digi-scrapping chipboard elements that I have seen.

1. Open a new canvas the size of your final chipboard element. I like to make alphas so my chipboard is 3000 x 3000 so that I can use it for a whole sheet of letters.

2. Fill the canvas with the color of your choice. I used #b5a49a.

3. Duplicate the layer (Layer > Duplicate Layer).

4. Add Noise (Filter > Noise > Add Noise).

Amount = 30%
Distribution = Gaussian
Monochromatic = Checked

5. Add Median Noise (Filter > Noise > Median).

Radius = 1

6. Sharpen the edges (Filter > Sharpen > Sharpen Edges).

7. Use the Spatter brush stroke to turn the irregular dots into small squares that look like squashed chips (Filter > Brush Strokes > Spatter).

Spray Radius = 15
Smoothness = 10

8. Go to the Blend Modes (either on the layer palette or Layer > Layer Style > Blending Options) and change the blend mode for the current layer to 'Soft Light'.

9. Merge the layers and the texture is complete.

PSP Blog Hop

2011-04-29T19:35:00.001-05:00

I have donated a prize to the First Annual PSP Blog Hop. It is a script that will make an 280pt chipboard alpha containing capitals and the numbers 0-9. Or, for the scripting-shy, I will provide 5 Chipboard alpha templates (also containing capitals and the numbers 0-9) in the fonts of your choice. You can find the entry form for my prize at the Official Blog Hop blog.

This is a one-off prize which means that I will not be offering it for free on my blog. In order to get the prize, you have to fill out the prize entry form at the PSP Blog Hop.

I noticed that one of the requirements to win the prize is leaving a comment on the prize post at the Blog Hop. However, I can't see any way to leave a comment over there.

Cola Test

2011-04-14T14:19:00.001-05:00

I'm testing out my new chipboard alpha script and thought I would give away my alpha I made during the testing process. I did have to make a few post-script edits as the font was not well-kerned.

Alpha

You can get the script at the PSP Blog Hop.

Pretty Frame

2011-03-22T23:16:00.000-05:00

I wanted to show off this frame that Chris made using my scalloped frame tutorial. See, it works with any kind of brush!

Round Scalloped Frame

2011-03-10T22:28:00.000-06:00

I was asked to write a frame tutorial that was "other then the typical square, rectangle ones you always see tutorials for." I'm not really sure what that means, so I decided to do a round frame. This tutorial combines my picot ribbon tutorial and my circularize a linear element tutorial to show how to make a round scalloped frame in Paint Shop Pro.

1. Open up a new canvas that is 3600 pixels wide x150 pixels high. Select a color, gradient or pattern as your foreground material.

2. Select the round brush.

Size = 150
Hardness = 100
Step = 100
Density = 100
Thickness = 100
Rotation = 0
Opacity = 100
Blend mode = Normal
Continuous = Unchecked
Wet look paint = Unchecked

3. Click once on the left side of the canvas. Try not to go off the edge of the canvas.

4. Press the shift key and while holding it down, click once on the right side of the canvas.

5. With the custom selection tool, make a 3600 x 75 pixel selection across the top of the canvas.

6. Select the Flood Fill Tool and fill the selection with your foreground material.

7. Ctrl + D to Select None.

8. Resize the height of the image by 314%.

Width = 100%
Height = 314%
Resample = Bilinear
Maintain original print size = Unchecked
Lock aspect ratio = Unchecked
Resize all layers = Checked

9. Enlarge the canvas to 3600 x 3600.

Width = 3600
Height = 3600
Placement = Center

10. Use the Polar Coordinates effect (Effects > Distortion Effect > Polar Coordinates) to turn the linear element into a circular frame.

Rectangular to polar = Checked
Edge mode = Transparent

The benefit of this method versus using a preset shape is that when using a pattern, the pattern will also be wrapped in a circle. I have demonstrated this effect with a grass pattern.

The frame is now ready for other effects such as shading or bevels. If you want to duplicate the example in the preview, I applied an Inner Bevel with the following settings:

Bevel = 2
Width = 4
Smoothness = 74
Depth = 13
Ambience = 14
Shininess = 15
Color = White
Angle = 319
Intensity = 35
Elevation = 35

Easy Seamless Damask

2011-03-07T00:03:00.004-06:00

I love damask and I've wanted to make damask patterns for a while, but I haven't found the time. There are a lot of damask brushes available, but I think it is far easier to use a font. House of Lime has several dingbat fonts which are suitable. In this tutorial for Paint Shop Pro, I am using Ornamental Decorations and Ornamental Decorations II.

Supplies:

Damask Spacing Template

1. Open a canvas with a width to height ratio of 1 to 1.375. My canvas is 1200 x 1650 pixels.

2. The key to making a good tiling damask is to fill a diamond-shaped space in the center of the canvas. You can do this by eye, you can make your own diamond-shape, or you can use the template that I have provided. If you use the template, open it instead of a blank canvas.

3. Select your dingbat font of choice and set it to a large size. Make sure that 'Create as Vector' is selected. Type out your chosen dingbat.

4. If the dingbat is too small, then click on one of the solid squares and re-size the vector.

5. Move the dingbat to the desired location. I like to start off with a triangular dingbat for the points of the diamond.

6. Continue typing in characters from the dingbat font, re-sizing and moving them until the center space is filled.

7. Duplicate the vector layer with all the dingbats (Layers > Duplicate).

8. Convert the new vector layer to a raster layer (Layers > Convert to Raster Layer).

9. Center offset the raster layer (Effects > Image Effects > Offset). If you select the 'Center' option, then Paint Shop Pro will automatically calculate the correct numbers for horizontal and vertical.

Center = Checked
Edge mode = Wrap

10. Optional. If you want to be fancy, you can now use a damask border along the diagonal between the pattern. I used the 'q' from the Ornamental Decorations dingbat and rotated it using the handle. The key to making the border look seamless is to bring it close to the edge, but not have the dingbat go off the edge of the canvas.

11. Optional. Duplicate the layer and Ctrl + M to mirror.

12. Optional. Duplicate the layer and Ctrl + I to flip.

13. Optional. Duplicate the layer and Ctrl + M to mirror.

14. Optional. If you used the template, then hide the template layer.

This creates a seamless damask tile which can be used as an overlay or it can be re-colored and turned into a paper. Here is mine as an overlay both with and without the optional diagonal borders.

Bracket Mat in Photoshop

2011-03-06T08:56:00.002-06:00

Since I wrote the tutorial on the bracket frame, I thought I would take it one step further and show how to make a mat or journalling tag from the existing frame shape.

Complete steps 1-14 of the bracket frame in Photoshop tutorial. If people feel it is necessary, I can copy and paste those steps into this tutorial. Leave a comment if you want me to do this.

15. With the Magic Wand Tool, select the interior of the frame. Make sure that 'Contiguous' and 'Sample All Layers' are checked.

Selection Option = New
Tolerance = 32
Anti-alias = Checked
Contiguous = Checked
Sample All Layers = Checked

16. Increase the size of the selection by 5 (Select > Modify > Expand).

17. Create a new raster layer (Shift + Ctrl + N).

18. Use the paint bucket to fill the selection with your existing color.

19. Ctrl + Shift + E to Merge Visible.

20. Ctrl + D to Deselect.

21. The bracket mat shape is now complete. If you are happy with the color, then you are done. Otherwise, create a new layer and fill with a color, gradient or pattern of your choice. Or drag in a paper to form a new layer.

22. Right-click on the new layer and select 'Create Clipping Mask'.

23. The new color, gradient or pattern is now clipped to the bracket mat shape and the mat is complete. Or, add some lines and use it as a journalling tag.

Bracket Frame in Photoshop

2011-03-06T00:03:00.003-06:00

This tutorial will show you how to make a bracket frame in Photoshop.

1. Open up a new canvas. Mine is 1200 x 1200 pixels.

2. Select the Text Tool. Choose your font and color. I chose Trebuchet. Choose a large point size for the font. I chose 250 pt.

3. Type the Curly bracket ( { ) character. You may click the check mark to confirm.

4. Select the Move Tool. Make sure Show Transform Controls is checked.

5. Move the bracket to your desired location. If it wasn't big enough, select one of the squares and drag the curly bracket to increase the size. If you re-size, don't forget to click the check mark to accept the transformation.

6. Duplicate the layer by right-clicking on the layer in the layer palette and then selecting 'Duplicate Layer'.

7. Flip the new layer horizontal (Edit > Transform > Flip Horizontal).

8. With the Move Tool, move the bracket to the other side of the canvas.

9. Duplicate the layer by right-clicking on the layer in the layer palette and then selecting Duplicate Layer.

10. Rotate the layer 90 degrees clockwise ((Edit > Transform > Rotate 90^o CW).

11. With the Move Tool, move the bracket to the bottom of the canvas.

12. Duplicate the layer.

13. Flip the new layer vertical (Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical).

14. With the Move Tool, move the bracket to the top of the canvas.

15. Optional. If the joins where the brackets meet at the corners is not smooth, it is possible to fix this with the Direct Selection Tool. First, right-click on the layer with the bracket that must be adjusted and select 'Convert to Shape'.

16. Optional. Next, select the Direct Selection Tool and double-click on the edge of the bracket shape. Small open squares should be spaced along the edge of the shape.

17. Optional. Select an open square (this is a node) that needs to be moved by clicking on it. This will turn the square solid.

18. Optional. Now drag the node to a more favorable location.

19. Optional. Repeat steps 15-18 for all brackets and nodes that need to be moved.

20. Ctrl + Shift + E to Merge Visible.

21. The bracket frame shape is now complete. If you are happy with the color, then you are done. Otherwise, create a new layer and fill with a color, gradient or pattern of your choice. Or drag in a paper to form a new layer.

22. Right-click on the new layer and select 'Create Clipping Mask'.

23. The new color, gradient or pattern is now clipped to the bracket frame shape and the frame is complete.

Bracket Mat

2011-03-05T15:54:00.000-06:00

Since I wrote the tutorial on the bracket frame, I thought I would take it one step further and show how to make a mat or journalling tag from the existing frame shape.

Complete steps 1-19 of the bracket frame tutorial. If people feel it is necessary, I can copy and paste those steps into this tutorial. Leave a comment if you want me to do this.

20. Select the Magic Wand Tool.

Mode = Add
Match Mode = Opacity
Tolerance = 10
Sample Merged = Checked
Contiguous = Unchecked
Feather = 0
Anti-alias = Unchecked

21. Select the empty center of the frame with the Magic Wand.

22. Choose 'Remove Specks and Holes' in the Selections Menu (Selections > Modify > Remove Specks and Holes) to remove the few gaps between the section chosen with the magic wand and the original selection.

Remove Specks and Holes = Checked
Square area smaller than = 50 x 1 pixels

23. Choose 'Recover Anti-alias' in the Selections Menu (Selections > Modify > Recover Anti-alias) to re-create the smooth edges that disappeared when specks and holes were removed.

Sample merged = Checked
Result on New Layer = Unchecked
Anti-alias = Inside

24. Select the Fill Bucket and fill the selection with the color, gradient or pattern of your choice.

25. Now, you can hide the original vector layer and the bracket mat is complete. Or, add some lines and it can be used for journalling.

Bracket Frame

2011-03-05T13:44:00.000-06:00

A very kind person donated generously to my blog and has asked for some tutorials on scrapbooking elements. So, please bear with me as I try to figure out if I have interpreted the requests correctly. This tutorial will show you how to make a bracket frame in Paint Shop Pro.

1. Open up a new canvas with a vector layer. Mine is 1200 x 1200 pixels.

2. Select a font. For this tutorial, I chose to use Times New Roman because it comes with almost every computer as is a standard font. Make sure that Create As Vector is selected.

3. Make sure that the foreground color is set to transparent and the background color is set to a color. I chose black because it is easiest to see and the color of the font does not matter.

4. Type the Curly bracket ( { ) character. Then click 'Apply'.

5. Drag the text to your desired size by clicking on the red rectangle and then dragging.

6. Duplicate the layer (Layers > Duplicate). Mirror the new layer (Ctrl + M).

7. Duplicate the new layer (Layers > Duplicate).

8. Rotate the new layer 90 degrees to the right ( Image > Rotate > Free Rotate).

Direction = 90
Degrees = 90
All layers = Unchecked
Rotate single layer around canvas center = Checked

9. Duplicate the new layer (Layers > Duplicate). Flip the layer (Ctrl + I).

10. Optional. If the ends of the bracket don't line up to make a smooth frame, then you can adjust them by either pulling on the red rectangle or using the pen tool (or Pick Tool).

11. Optional. To use the pen tool, right-click and select 'Convert to Path'. This should convert all four text shapes into vector paths.

12. Optional. Select the pen tool (or Pick Tool) and click on one bracket.

13. Optional. Click near the nodes (squares) that need to be adjust then drag to make a box that covers all the nodes that need to moved.

14. Optional. The select nodes should be solid and will have a rotation handle attached to them. Move the nodes to the desired location.

15. Optional. Repeat steps 11-14 for all nodes that need to be moved.

16. Optional. To make future steps easier, you can merge the vector layers using Merge Down (Layers > Merge > Merge Down). Start with the top layer and do this three times to make a single vector layer.

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17. Ctrl + A to Select All.

18. Ctrl + Shift + B or Selections > Selection From Vector Object.

19. Create a new raster layer (Layers > New Raster Layer).

20. Select the Fill Bucket and fill the selection with the color, gradient or pattern of your choice.

21. Now, you can hide the original vector layer and the bracket frame is complete.

Waterdrops Scatter

2011-03-02T01:00:00.001-06:00

This tutorial will show you how to make a scatter that looks like water drops (or rain drops for SNL participants) in Photoshop.

1. Open up a new canvas that is 3600 pixels wide and 600 pixels high.

2. Select the Hard Round brush. This brush is usually available as the Hard Round 19 and is a Photoshop Default brush.

Diameter = 150px
Angle = 0
Roundness = 80%
Spacing = Checked
Spacing = 140%

Smoothing = Checked

I'm not very artistic, so I am unable to paint a pretty random scatter across the canvas. Therefore, I set up the brush to do the scattering for me.

Shape Dynamics

Size Jitter = 56%
Control = Pen Pressure
Minimum Diameter = 0%
Angle Jitter = 35%
Roundness Jitter = 35%
Minimum Roundness = 25%

Scattering

Both Axes = Checked
Scatter = 200%
Count = 1

3. Click once on the right side of the canvas. Press down the Shift key and hold it. Click once on the left side of the canvas. The color doesn't matter because the fill opacity will be set to 0% later.

4. Optional. If you want to make the water drops more irregular, apply a deformation. I chose the Wave deformation (Filter > Distort > Wave).

Number of Generators = 2
Wavelength Min = 25
Wavelength Max = 50
Amplitude Min = 25
Amplitude Max = 50
Scale Horiz = 5
Scale Vert = 7
Type = Sine
Undefined Areas = Repeat Edge Pixels

5. Go to Layer Styles (Layer > Layer Style > Blending Options) and change the fill opacity to 0%.

6. Apply a Drop Shadow.

Blend Mode = Multiply
Opacity = 14
Angle = 90
Use Global Light = Checked
Distance = 15
Spread = 4
Size = 15
Contour = Cone
Anti-aliased = Checked
Noise = 0
Layer Knocks Out Drop Shadow = Checked

7. Apply an Inner Shadow.

Blend Mode = Multiply
Color = #000000
Opacity = 15
Angle = 90
Use Global Light = Checked
Distance = 15
Choke = 0
Size = 15
Contour = Linear
Anti-aliased = Unchecked
Noise = 0

8. Apply an Inner Glow.

Blend Mode = Multiply
Opacity = 23
Noise = 0
Color = #000000
Technique = Softer
Source = Edge
Choke = 0
Size = 15
Contour = Linear
Anti-aliased = Checked
Noise = 0

9. Apply a Bevel to give the drops a glassy look.

Style = Inner Bevel
Technique = Smooth
Depth = 70
Direction = Up
Size = 50
Soften = 0
Angle = 90
Use Global Light = Checked
Altitude = 70
Gloss Contour = Linear
Anti-aliased = Unchecked
Highlight Mode = Normal
Highlight Color = #FFFFFF
Highlight Opacity = 80
Shadow Mode = Lighten
Shadow Color = #FFFFFF
Shadow Opacity = 90

The scatter is now complete. NOTE: I added a layer in gray below the waterdrops layer to make it easier to see the droplets.

Raindrops Scatter

2011-03-01T23:15:00.001-06:00

Scatters (a sprinkling of an element across a page) are a very popular element at DSP. This tutorial shows you how to make a raindrop scatter in Paint Shop Pro. This tutorial uses the Water Drops effect from the Eye Candy 5: Nature plug-in. However, Water Drops is available in Eye Candy 3, so I am providing a link to a free download for that version.

Supplies:

Eye Candy 3 (free)

1. Open up a new canvas that is 3600 pixels wide and 600 pixels high.

2. Choose the Freehand Selection Tool.

3. Use the Freehand Selection Tool draw a wiggly selection across the canvas.

4. Open up the Water Drops effect from Eye Candy 5: Nature (or Eye Candy 3, if you are using the free download).

Drop Size = 100.00
Coverage = 50
Clumping = 50
Focus = 94
Refraction =71
Opacity = 10
Tinting = 31
Liquid Color = #E8EEF3
Lighting Direction = 78
Lighting Inclination = 50
Highlight Brightness = 86
Highlight Size = 62
Highlight Color = #FFFFFF

5. Ctrl + D to Select None.

6. Apply the Wave deformation effect ( Effects > Distortion Effects > Wave) to make the drops less linear.

Horizontal displacement
Amplitude = 1
Wavelength = 60

Vertical displacement
Amplitude = 2
Wavelength = 60

Edge mode = Transparent

The scatter is now complete. NOTE: In order to see the raindrops better, I have created a gray layer under my working layer.

Rainbow in Photoshop

2011-02-23T00:25:00.001-06:00

This tutorial will show you how to make a simple rainbow in Photoshop.

1. Open up a new canvas of equal width and height. Mine is 1200 x 1200 pixels.

2. Select the Rectangle Tool. Set the color to be the one for the first band in the rainbow. Then, click on the rectangle next to the Preset Shape to access the Options menu. Set the Options to Fixed Size and make the width the same as your canvas and your height to 100 pixels.

Fixed Size = Check
Width = 1200 px
Height= 100 px

3. Click the canvas to create the rectangle then switch to the Mover tool.

4. Use the Mover tool to move the rectangle so that it is even with both the left and right sides of the canvas and there is a space between the rectangle and the bottom of the canvas.

5. Right-click on this shape layer in the layer palette and select 'Duplicate Layer' from the menu.

6. Optional. Change the name of the new layer to something more informative than 'Shape 1 copy'. I named mine Shape 2.

7. Click the Color Fill on the new shape layer. Select the color for the second band in the rainbow.

8. Use the mover tool to move the new band to above the previous band.

9. Repeat steps 5-8 until your desired number of rainbow bands. I repeated 3 more times for a total of 5 bands. Here is my final canvas and layer palette.

10. Optional. If you want to use papers instead of flat colors, then clip the papers to the shapes.
11. Right-click on the layers palette and select 'Merge Visible' to reduce all the vector shape layers to a single raster layer.

12. Select the Polar Coordinates filter (Filter > Distort > Polar Coordinates) and select 'Rectangular to Polar'.

12. Select the crop tool and crop the canvas so that only the top half remains. If you have chosen to use a paper and the paper is not seamless, you may wish to first flip the canvas (Edit > Transform > Flip Vertical) before cropping so that there isn't a seam down the center of your rainbow.

The rainbow is now complete.

Rainbow

2011-02-22T20:25:00.001-06:00

This tutorial will show you how to make a rainbow in Paint Shop Pro. If you don't want to follow the tutorial, I have a rainbow script that I released two years ago.

1. Open up a new canvas that is the same width and height. My canvas is 1200 x 1200.

2. Use the custom selection tool to create a 1200 x 100 selection across the bottom of the canvas.

Left = 0
Right = 1200
Top = 1100
Bottom = 1200

3. Fill the selection with the color, gradient or pattern desired for one band of the rainbow.

4. Use the custom selection tool to create a 1200 x 100 selection above the previous selection.

Left = 0
Right = 1200
Top = 1000
Bottom = 1100

5. Fill the selection with the color, gradient or pattern desired for one band of the rainbow.

6. Repeat step 3 and step 4 another 3 more times for a rainbow with 5 bands. I have included screenshots of the custom selections for each repeat.

Left = 0
Right = 1200
Top = 900
Bottom = 1000

Left = 0
Right = 1200
Top = 800
Bottom = 900

Left = 0
Right = 1200
Top = 700
Bottom = 800

7. Ctrl + D to Select None.

8. Use the Polar Coordinates effect (Effects > Distortion Effects > Polar Coordinates) to create a circle out of the selections.

Rectangle to polar = Checked
Edge mode = Transparent

9. Crop the canvas to half the size of the original. Choose the upper half of the canvas.

The rainbow is now complete.

Using any B&W Image as a Mask in PS

2011-02-08T00:11:00.005-06:00

This tutorial will show you how to use any black and white image as a mask on a paper in Photoshop.

Supplies:

B&W Heart
Unryu Paper Pack

1. Open the black and white image in Photoshop. For this tutorial, I have provided the image of a heart.

2. Open up your paper. I am using one of the mulberry rice papers from my Unryu Paper Pack.

3. If you image is a JPEG, promote the background to a layer (Layer > New > Layer From Background).

4. Ctrl + A to Select All.

5. Ctrl + C to Copy the mask image.

6. Select the paper. Promote the paper to a layer if it is a JPEG (as in Step 3).

7. Now it is possible to add a mask layer. At the bottom of the layer palette, click the 'Add Layer Mask' icon.

8. A white square appear will appear on the paper layer. This is the mask thumbnail. It should be currently selected (as seen by the highlight around the square).

9. Press the Alt key and click on the mask thumbnail (white square). Your paper should turn completely white.

10. Ctrl + V to paste the copied mask into the layer mask.

11. Press the Alt key and click on the mask thumbnail to switch back to viewing the paper.

12. The black part of the mask image hides and the white part of the mask image reveals. I have placed another paper underneath so that the image can be seen better.

Show the Love Blog Train

2011-01-22T12:54:00.002-06:00

I haven't done a blog train is a really long time so I thought I would participate in the Starving Artist's Blog Train: Show the Love. I'm certainly starving, at least. This is a full-size kit containing:

10 papers
3 frames
3 bows
4 buttons
4 paperclips
4 sequins
1 wire
1 confetti heart scatter
2 vellum hearts
3 conversation heart alphas
1 heart overlay

I'm sorry for the delay in posting links. Blogger threw an error when I tried to put in the links and then my cold medication kicked in (yes, I'm sick) and I passed out. There are two links, one for most of the kit and one for the alphas (since some people only want my alphas).

Show the Love Kit

Alphas

Funky Valentine

2011-01-10T01:15:00.005-06:00

I made this for SNL59. I thought I would share it so that people could use it for Valentine's Day. The kit comes with:

4 papers
4 overlays (as used in the papers)
1 heart arrow
1 journalling heart
1 frame

Kit

Moss and Bramble Socks

2011-01-02T12:25:00.000-06:00

I've been working on writing up the pattern for these socks which I made for my Father-in-Law for Christmas. The pattern is available as a free Ravelry download. If you make them in a plain yarn, then the texturing is much more obvious, but I loved this Malabrigo sock yarn and I like how the pattern ends up very subtle due to the variegation in the yarn.

Advent Alpha 24

2010-12-24T15:45:00.000-06:00

Ok, here are some sparkly gems to celebrate the end of this year's advent calendar.

Advent Alpha 24

An old alpha for the Advent Calendar

2010-12-23T11:29:00.000-06:00

I think that 4shared has been deleting my files because I'll go to my account and look for a tagger-sized alpha that I made and it won't be there. Anyways, I liked the suggestion for a snowman alpha, but I don't have time to make one. So, I'm going to offer up this tagger-sized alpha that I made three years ago. It is small. The images are only 0.5 inches in size, but it is 300 dpi, so it is possible to print them. It uses a tube that I got through a sharing group.

Get the tagger-sized alpha: Snowmen. And if you want it without the drop shadow, I also have it in gif format. Yes, it is really old!

Advent Alpha 22

2010-12-22T12:08:00.000-06:00

Sorry the day is half over before I could post today's alpha. I'm really busy with holiday preparations. I didn't really like this bow alpha, but I don't have time to make something better. Since I was criticized for making different colors, this one just comes in silver. You will have to recolor the ugly letters yourself. The zip is available via Skydrive because 4shared is currently down for maintenance.

Advent Alpha 22

Advent Alpha 21

2010-12-21T00:03:00.001-06:00

Taking a suggestion, I tried my hand at making an ice alpha.

Advent Alpha 21

Advent Alpha 20

2010-12-20T09:41:00.000-06:00

Here is the last minty Mickey Head alpha. It is sort of cute. It is also sort of big because of all the glitter. I don't think I'll be making a green version.

Advent Alpha 20

Starburst Pattern Paper

2010-12-19T18:21:00.001-06:00

This tutorial will show you how to make a paper with a starburst pattern in Paint Shop Pro.

1. Open up a new canvas. Mine is 3600 x 3600 at 300 dpi for a full size paper.

2. Fill the canvas with a color using the Fill Bucket.

3. Create a new layer (Layers > New Raster Layer).

4. Use the custom selection tool to create a 3600 x 200 selection in the center of on the new layer.

Left = 1600
Right = 1800
Top = 0
Bottom = 3600

5. Fill the selection with a contrasting color.

6. Ctrl + D to select none.

7. Use the Pattern effect (Effects > Reflection Effects > Pattern) to create vertical stripes. Create as many stripes as desired. I chose 9 stripes.

Horizontal offset = 0
Vertical offset = 0
Rotation angle = 0
Scale factor = 1
Number of columns = 9
Number of rows = 3
Horizontal shift = 0
Vertical shift = 0

8. Finish by using the Polar Coordinates deformation (Effects > Distortion Effects > Polar Coordinates) to create the starburst.

Rectangle to polar = Checked
Edge mode = Wrap

Advent Alpha 19

2010-12-19T09:24:00.001-06:00

Here are some more minty Mickey heads because I tried a few different variations.

Advent Alpha 19

Advent Alpha 18

2010-12-18T08:56:00.002-06:00

These Mickey letters looked really cute individually. I'm not sure they look good en masse.

Advent Alpha 18

Advent Alpha 17

2010-12-17T08:58:00.001-06:00

Here is a second neon alpha because I happened to like the color.

Advent Alpha 17

Advent Alpha 16

2010-12-16T08:53:00.005-06:00

As you can see, I'm running out of good ideas. This always happens during my attempt to make 24 alphas. The ones in the middle are never very good. Please feel free to make some suggestions.

Advent Alpha 16

Advent Alpha 15

2010-12-15T00:03:00.002-06:00

Here are some poinsettias for Day 15.

Advent Alpha 15

Advent Alpha 14

2010-12-14T00:03:00.001-06:00

Here is the lower case for yesterday's alpha.

Advent Alpha 14

Advent Alpha 13

2010-12-13T00:03:00.001-06:00

This is another alpha that I played around with last year, but didn't end up sharing it. You can get the lower case for this alpha tomorrow.

Advent Alpha 13

Advent Alpha 12

2010-12-12T00:03:00.001-06:00

Here is something a little different, but still festive. I was thinking people might be able to use it for New Year's celebrations.

Advent Alpha 12

Advent Alpha 11

2010-12-11T00:03:00.000-06:00

I don't know if anyone has noticed, given how few visitors I have, but direct links have been enabled for today's download. I don't know if I'm going to convert my older links to direct download as it seems like a lot of work.

Advent Alpha 11

Advent Alpha 10

2010-12-10T00:03:00.003-06:00

A nice person wrote in and asked for the plain gold letters from my wire bead alphas. As the wire bead alphas are from when I started posting scrap alphas, they are a bit smaller than my current alphas at only 1 inch tall for the capital letters. I hope that other people, besides the requestor, will be able to use them.

Advent Alpha 10

Advent Alpha 9

2010-12-09T09:52:00.000-06:00

Here is the third day of bead alphas. I hope I can come up with some idea for tomorrow. I didn't really like the colors for the beads once I made the previews, but I'm too tired to go back and re-do them.

Advent Alpha 9

Advent Alpha 8

2010-12-08T09:31:00.009-06:00

This is the second of three days of bead alphas because I'm super busy with work. As a result, I'm exhausted and not feeling very creative.

Advent Alpha 8

Advent Alpha 7

2010-12-07T09:26:00.001-06:00

The download links are available available as text. I do not link my images because then people just grab and go. I get very few comments, so I think it is fair to ask for a little bit of reading. Or, perhaps people just think all of my alphas are hideously ugly and that's why I see mostly complaints in the comments.

Advent Alpha 7

Advent Alpha 6

2010-12-06T01:07:00.006-06:00

Advent Alpha 6

Advent Alpha 5

2010-12-05T13:15:00.006-06:00

I came up with the concept for this alpha two years ago, when I started giving away alphas during advent. However, I didn't like the previous versions that I made. I think this version is slightly better than previous versions.

Advent Alpha 5

Advent Alpha 4

2010-12-04T11:15:00.002-06:00

Here is the lowercase for yesterday's alpha.

Advent Alpha 4

Advent Alpha 3

2010-12-03T11:01:00.003-06:00

Uppercase is available today. Lowercase will be available tomorrow.

Advent Alpha 3

Advent Alpha 2

2010-12-02T10:53:00.004-06:00

Advent Alpha 2

Advent Alpha 1

2010-12-01T00:03:00.009-06:00

Once again I am giving away an alpha a day for Advent. This will be my third year. To see all of the alphas for this year and last year search my blog using the advent calendar label.

Advent Alpha 1

Square Overlays 2

2010-11-18T17:36:00.001-06:00

Here is a second set of square overlays which can be used in layers or alone for making patterned papers.

Overlays

Rolled Cylinder

2010-11-17T08:23:00.001-06:00

I made an effect for Filter Forge. I made it because lots of people complain that Mura Meister's filters do not work with newer versions of PSP or their OS. So, if you have Filter Forge, you now have a semi-substitute for Stripe of Cylinder and you can now make the rolled paper preview. I can only do 2 angles, 0 degrees and 90 degrees, but if you have any suggestions for improvements to the filter, feel free to leave a comment. You can get the filter at the Filter Forge library.

Filter

Trimming Extra Space from Images

2010-11-16T14:22:00.000-06:00

Today I saw a script that would let you trim excess space from PNGs. It was selling for $4. If you want to remove extra space from around your images, this is a very simple step. I couldn't believe that someone could actually sell a script to do this for $4. This tutorial will show you how to trim excess space. Then you can record your own script, for free!

1. You need an image with a transparent background which you want to trim. This can be a PNG or it can even be a PSPImage file you are working on that has multiple layers. Just make sure that all the layers are visible.

2. Select the crop tool and click the button for Snap crop rectangle to Merged Opaque.

This will force the crop tool to be exactly the size of your image.

3. Click the check mark to complete the crop.

Your image is now trimmed.

You can record this step as a script and then use the batch tool to apply it to a bunch of images at once.

Candy Cane Lane

2010-11-14T16:58:00.000-06:00

I made this kit last year for SNL56. The theme was Christmas in the Kitchen. Hopefully people can use it this year for the holidays.

This kit comes with:

2 papers
2 frames
2 brads
2 bows
1 candy cane
1 alpha

Scrap Kit