~ Fall Splendor Tutorial ~
This tutorial was created using PaintShop Pro 8, but can be used with other versions. It is for intermediate level users and assumes you have a basic working knowledge of PSP and the tools used.
So you're feeling in a Fall mood, huh? Ready for those dog days of Summer to come to come to a close and the cool breezes of Fall to arrive? It's always nice to break out those snuggly sweaters for the first time and perhaps take a drive to see nature's colorful display announcing the arrival of the Autumn Season! The air seems fresher, the sky appears bluer, and you may even begin to think of the holiday season approaching.
Tools You Will Need:
PaintShop Pro 8 or other comparable version
Autumn Leaves Tube (provided with PSP Version 8)- I've Included a Copy in the Zip File
The tree tube and gold gradient used here
Download the Tools
Some of you may need a cup of coffee or tea and a snack before you begin...*giggle*
Now relax, take a deep breath and enjoy yourself . . .
Let's start with your favorite Fall image. You can use mine included in the download if you like "Smile*. Create a working folder for this tutorial.
Open a new document at 400 x 400 pixels/72 dpi/16 million colors/transparent.
Open the aspen.jpg image or your chosen picture. If necessary, resize your image to no more than 300 x 300 pixels. Hold the Shift Key and press "D" twice to duplicate the image. Close the original (do not save the changes). Minimize one of the images for later and then activate the remaining picture.
Now go to Effects/3D Effects/Buttonize and use the following settings: Height and Width= 10/Opacity= 75/Edge= transparent/Color= white. Click OK.
Set the foreground color to #F9B808 and the background to NULL.
Go to Image/Add Borders (be sure Symmetric is checked) and enter "4" in any of the selection boxes. Click on OK.
Now use the magic wand to select the border you just added only. Be sure that feather = "0" and tolerance is set at about "50". This will vary depending whether or not you are using my image or one of your own. Be certain that only the border is included in the selection. Click on the paint bucket and then set the foreground to "Golden" gradient at the following settings: Angle= 149/Repeats= 6/Style= Linear.
Now fill the border with the gradient and while you still have the marching ants, Go to Effects/3D Effects/Outer Bevel and apply with the settings shown below.
In the Menu, go to Selections and "Select None".
We need to add some space to our canvas. Go to Image/Canvas Size. Be sure the placement is set to "center" and add 20 pixels to the New Dimensions. My original was 203 Wide by 308 high so my new canvas size is set to 223 x 328. Click on OK.
Once again, select only the new background area using your magic wand. Set your tolerance to "0" and be sure feather is set to "0". Antialias should be checked in the box.
While still selected, open the 2nd image you minimized earlier. Now Control/C to copy, activate your working image, then go to Edit/scroll down to Paste and then select "Paste Into Selection".
While you still have the marching ants on the image, go to Effects/3D Effects/Buttonize. Set the Height and Width to "10"/Opacity to 75/Edge= transparent and Color= White.
Do not deselect just yet. Go back to Effects/3D Effects/and Inner Bevel. Use these settings...
You may want to sharpen the image once at this point. Try it and decide if you want your picture crisp or more subtle.
Okay, stretch, take a sip of yor tasty beverage and save your image as a PSP file. (I used "Fall_1"). Minimize or leave it open and move it off to the side of the screen.
