Ready for Mardi Gras Tutorial by RoniElaine - Written on Jan. 22, 2010
The tutorial can also be done to use as a larger header image or a tag using similar directions for a letter background. Example at bottom.
This tutorial was written using PSP X. Similar results can be obtained in earlier versions but will be slightly different.
Although my tutorials are my own creations, they are almost always inspired by seeing so many beautiful creations in many groups. Any similarities are truly the effects of viewing, using and enjoying the tutorials written by many others. I encourage you to use other supplies and to experiment with different settings to create something of your own.
Skill Level - Intermediate
Filters Needed:
Italian Editors - Filtro Fantasma HERE
Sinedots 2 HERE
Supplies: Click HERE
HD_Myst_Carnival_GuenrichHozatski©1930-present.pspimage by Hannah's Designs - Used with general permission. Thanks Pat.
Texture: Grain Long Deep (standard to most versions of PSP) Gradient: for mardigras (by me)
Preparation:
Install filters if needed. Put the texture in your PSP Patterns folder if you do not have it. Put the gradient in your PSP Gradients folder.
All settings will remain the same unless different settings are given.
1. File > Open Your tube or misted tube of choice HD_Myst_Carnival_GuenrichHozatski©1930-present.pspimage Window > Duplicate and close the original
Choose 2 colors from the tube - light to medium for foreground; medium to dark for background. I chose #8dd6f3 and #4c4aa2. Make a note of your light color for later use.
Materials Palette - Set your foreground to a gradient. Settings: Foreground-background Radial, 45, 4, invert not checked,50, 50
Image > Resize if needed. No wider than 400 pixels. Height is not important but a very tall tube is not advised. Settings: Bicubic, Lock aspect ratio and resize all layers checked
Adjust > Sharpness > Sharpen if needed
2. Layers > New Raster Layer Flood Fill with the gradient.
Effects > Reflection Effects > Rotating Mirror Setting: Click on the Default Arrow
Effects > Texture Effects > Texture Settings: Click on the Default Arrow Change the Texture to Grain long deep
Edit > Copy Edit > Paste as New Image and minimize
Back to your main image. Layers > Arrange > Send to Bottom Layer Palette - activate your tube layer Move Tool - move your tube if needed
***If using a misted tube like the one provided, Layers > Merge > Merge Visible and go to the next step
***If using a regular tube, add a bevel and/or drop shadows of your choice. Then Merge.
3. Image > Add Borders Settings: 2 pixels, symmetric, your darker color Selections > Select All Selections > Modify > Contract Setting: 2 pixels Effects > 3D Effects > Cutout Settings: 0, 0, 100, 10, black or your dark color Selections > Select None
4. Layer Palette - Change your gradient to: for mardigras Change Angle to 0 Image > Add Borders Settings: 15 pixels, White Magic Wand - Select the Border Flood Fill with the gradient Note: If you have trouble filling with gradient, add a layer and fill that layer. Merge Down.
Effects > Texture Effects > Fur Setting: Click on the Default Arrow Edit > Repeat Fur Selections > Select None
******Repeat Step 3 and then continue here**********
Magic Wand - Select the border Note: If you have trouble getting a "clean" border in some versions of PSP, do whatever you usually do to get the border selected correctly . Effects > 3D Effects > Inner Bevel Settings: Bevel #2, 31, 100, 50, -46 (minus), 0, White, 0, 50, 90
Selections > Select None
5. Layers > Promote Background Layer Image > Resize Settings: Change Width to 400 pixels or the width you prefer for a side border.
Image > Canvas Size Settings: 1650 Width or your preference Add 40 pixels to height shown in Original Dimensions at the top Left Center Arrow Change Left setting to 20
Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow Settings: 4, 4, 50, 10, black Repeat with -4 (minus) for vertical and horizontal
6. Maximize the pattern you made at Step 2. Image > Resize Settings: 400 x 400, Lock aspect ratio Unchecked
Minimize the pattern again. Materials Palette - Click on your foreground and select the pattern you made Settings: Angle 0, Scale 250
Layers > New Raster Layer Layers > Arrange > Send to Bottom Flood Fill with the pattern. Effects > Image Effects > Seamless Tiling Setting: Default Effects > Image Effects > Seamless Tiling Settings: Edge, Vertical
Effects > PlugIns > Italian Editors Effect > Effecto Fastasma Settings: Default settings
Layers > Duplicate Image > Flip Layers Palette - Set Opacity to 50 Layers > Merge > Merge Down
Image > Mirror Layers > Duplicate
7. Effects > Plugins > Dragon Fly > Sinedots 2 Down at the bottom in the middle, click on the drop down list. Select V-centre if you have that preset. If not, use the settings in my screenshot and save it as V-centre for future use. Left click on the color bar and set the color as your foreground color. Mine was 8dd6f3.
Effects > Edge Effects > Enhance (optional)
8. Layers > New Raster Layer Materials Palette - switch back to your light color. Flood Fill with your light color.
Layers Palette - Settings: Blend Mode - Luminance Legacy (L) Adjust Opacity to your liking. Suggest 60 - 73 (Note: While you still have 3 separate background layers, you can experiment with changing opacity and/or blend modes.)
Layers > Merge Down Edit > Repeat Layer Merge Down Effects > Image Effects > Seamless Tiling Same settings
Layers > Merge > Merge Visible Layers > New Raster Layer and add your watermark. File > Export > JPEG Optimizer at 25-35 setting *************************************
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial. I want to thank Cal, Claire, Heather and Janet for testing it for me !! Your input is much appreciated ! Please link this tutorial to The PSP Fun Group
Although this tutorial is written for The PSP Fun Group feel free to share my tutorials. I only ask that you not claim them as your own. If the tutorial is to be used as a lesson, please contact me for permission. ronicox@gmail.com Tutorial will be available at http://ramblinroots.net under Guest Tut Writers after release to the Fun Group.
Roni ---- see header example below
Note: For those wanting to make a header or tag instead of a side border. Start with a New Image the size you make your headers/tags. I usually use something around 700 x 500 for a header. Add your tubes, text, etc. and follow directions for framing it.
You can use the directions for a background as written in the tut. Example uses tubes by Kara
|