Tutorial by RoniElaine - Written on 1/23/2009

This tutorial was written based on some ideas I had while testing alpha

selections in a tutorial by my friend Cal a few years ago.  Just never

got around to writing a tutorial for it before now !

   
Skill Level - Intermediate
  
  This tutorial was written using PSP X but should work
   in other versions with just a few adjustments.
   It was written in "split screen" format so that
   you can work on the tutorial with PSP open on one
   side of your screen and the tutorial on the other side.
   
Supplies Needed
 
No outside filters are required for this tutorial
   You may wish to use Fantastic Machines - Paint Engine

    or Filters Unlimited - Paper Texture
    for one step but it is not required
 
All supplies needed will be provided for you.
     I encourage you to use graphics/tubes/patterns of your choice
     and make this your own "original" creation.

           Note:  My example uses 2 graphics and 1 tube.

                      An example using 5 graphics is at the bottom of

                      the tutorial

     Supplies: Click HERE

     WindowsofAwe    (an alpha selection)

       Used with permission by Cal of C_N_S Graphics

          please include a link to give him credit

     texture1_rec

     WoodGrain1_rec

     ALR1001 and ALR1002

        (Secret Lessons and Beyond Midnight by Alvar Rubin

             from All Posters)

     Copper Shimmer  (one of my patterns)

     Tango_Roni

         (from Tango Argentino by Pedro Alvarez from All Posters)

1.  File > New   Open a new image 700x500

     In Material Palette set Foreground color to color of choice

     I used #e3c29f  (alternate choice is #f4c78c)

     Use Flood Fill tool to fill with your color

     Add a light texture of your choice

     I used Fantastic Machines - Paint Engine

     (Click on Wrap Edges and use Randomize to select pattern)

     but any light texturing will work well

 2.  Layers > New Raster Layer

      Selection Tool, Setting:  Rectangular Selection

     Then click on the Custom Selection

         Settings: Top 50, Left 0, Right 700, Bottom 150

     Open texture1_rec (or pattern of your choice) and set as  

     background in your material pallette as your pattern

         Settings:  0, 100  (this setting will be used for all paterns)

             (Note:  You may want to colorize this pattern to go with

                           whatever images you are using)

     Use Flood Fill tool and right click to fill with the pattern

     Selections > Select None

     Effects > 3D Effects > Inner Bevel

        Settings: Bevel #2, 8, 0, 1, 0, 0, White, 315, 50, 30

        Repeat the same bevel

     Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow

         Settings: 4, 0, 60, 10, Black

         Repeat changing vetical to -4

     Layers > Duplicate

     Image > Flip

     Layers > Merge Down

     You can now minimize this image for later use

3.  Open WindowsofAwe; duplicate and close original

      If you have never used selections for an alpha channel image,

      this image isn't really blank !!

      Open WoodGrain1_rec (or pattern of your choice)

      Set as your Foreground Pattern

         (Note:  You may want to colorize pattern to go with your images)

      Open the images you are going to use. 

      This can be 2 or 4, depending on your design

       I am only using 2 on my example

         ALR1001 and ALR1002 - duplicate, minimize, close originals

 4.  Working on your "blank" WindowsofAwe

      Selections > Load/Save Selection >Load Selection from Alpha Channel 

       Choose Selection 1    Setting: Replace

       Use Flood Fill Tool; left click and fill with wood pattern

       Keep selected until instructed to deselect

       Add a New Raster Layer

       Effects > 3D Effects > Cutout 

         Settings:  0, 0, 100, 10, black

       Add a New Raster Layer

       Selections > Load/Save Selection > Load Selection from Alpha Channel

       Choose Selection 2

       Fill with same wood pattern

       Add a New Raster Layer

       Repeat same Cutout as above

       Add a New Raster Layer

 5.   Selections > Load/Save Selection > Load Selection from Alpha Channel

       Choose Selection 3

       Choose one of your images that you'd like to place in that area

       I used ALR1001

       Edit > Copy     You may close this now

       Edit > Paste Into Selection  on your main image

              Note:  If you are using 4 images, you will need to repeat the process,

       If only using 2 images like the example:

       Selections > Load/Save Selection > Load Selection from Alpha Channel

       Choose Selection 5

       Edit > Paste Into Selection

       Image > Mirror

6.   Repeat Step 5 using Selection numbers 4 and 6

      For these Selections I used ALR1002

7.  Layers > New Raster Layer

     Selections>Load/Save Selection > Load Selection from Alpha Channel

     Choose Selection 7

     Edit > Paste into Selection

     Effects > Reflection Effects > Kaleidoscope

       Settings: 0, 0, 90, -42, 4, 0, 0   check:  Repeat

8.  Layers > New Raster Layer

     Selections>Load/Save Selection > Load Selection from Alpha Channel

     Choose Selection 9

     In Layer Palette, change Foreground back to your color

     Use Flood Fill Tool - left click and fill with your color

     Effects > 3DEffects > Inner Bevel   (same settings)

     Selections > Select None

     Layers > Merge Visible

9.  Now that you put in all that hard work, we're going to divide our image   

     (See screenshots below)

     Use your Selection Tool > Custom Selection

       Settings: Top 25, Left 29, Right 252, Bottom 474

      to make a selection as shown here on the left

     Your selection should look like the one on the right

        Edit > Copy

        Edit > Paste as a New Image and minimize

        Select None

10.  Now we'll copy our other side of the image

       Selection Tool > Custom Selection

         Settings: Top 25, Left 248, Right 470, Bottom 474

       Edit > Copy

       Edit > Paste as a New Image

          Note: You can now close the main image you have been working on

                     or save it to use in a different way later

11.  You now have 2 smaller images that we'll frame

        Change your Foreground back to the wood pattern

        For each of those 2 images........

        Image > Add Borders    Setting: 1 pixel of black

        Image > Add Borders    Setting:  5 pixels of white

        With Magic Wand, select white border and fill with wood pattern

        Effects > 3D Effects > Inner Bevel

        Selections > Select None

         Edit > Copy  one of the images (I chose the one I'll place on the left of my finished image)  

        You can close that one now and minimize the other one.   

12.  Maximize the first image you made way back at Step 2 !

       Edit > Paste as New Layer

       Use Move Tool to move it to the left side but not all the way left

            (See my example)

       Maximize your other small image

       Edit > Copy    You can close that one now

       Edit > Paste as New Layer

       Use Move Tool to move to the right side (See example)

       Layers > Merge > Merge Down

       Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow

         Settings: 4, 4, 60, 10 Black

       Repeat with -4, -4

13  Open my Copper Shimmer pattern

       Set it as your Background pattern in material palette

       Choose your Selection Tool

       Change setting to Rounded Rectangle

       Make a rounded rectangle in the center of your image (see example)

       Use Flood Fill tool to fill with the copper shimmer

       Selections > Select None

       Open Tango_Roni

       Edit > Copy     You can close it now

       Edit > Paste as New Layer

       Layers > Duplicate

       Layers > Merge > Merge Down

       Image > Resize by 85%    All layers not checked

       ** At this point you have options again

           You can leave it as is, resize it to your liking, or follow the next step

       Image > Resize by 70% which shows the copper layer

           It's all up to you.

       If you choose to resize it this way, you can add the same bevel

       and drop shadows to it

      Layers > Merge Visible

14  Change your Foreground to the dark texture 1 pattern

       Leave Background at the copper shimmer pattern

       Image > Add Borders   Setting: 5 pixels of white

       Use Magic Wand to select border

       Flood fill by left clicking and filling with dark pattern

       Selections > Invert

       Effects > 3D Effects > Cutout      same settings

       Selections > Invert

       Effects > 3D Effects > Inner Bevel    same settings

       Selections > Select None

       Image > Add Borders   Setting 5 pixels of white

       Use Magic Wand to select border

       Food fill by right clicking and filling with copper pattern

       Selections > Select None

       Image > Add Border   Setting: 5 pixels of white

       Use Magic Wand to select border

       Flood fill by left clicking and filling with dark pattern

       Effects > 3D Effects > Inner Bevel

       Selections > Select None

       Add your watermark in your usual way.

       File > Export > JPEG Optimizer    and save

______________________________________________________

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial.

I want to thank Wiciyela, Sam and Dianne for testing it for me !!

Please link this tutorial to the Winni Lessons Group

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Winni-psp-lessons-group/

Although this tutorial is written for the Winni 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

Roni