Sugar

This tutorial is copyrighted to Kaye @ Kaye'z Designz. You may print out for personal use but do not post to any site or distribute as your own. Any resemblance to others online is purely coincidental.
Supplies: Paint Shop Pro any version, I used X2. You can get it from COREL. Animation Shop if you choose to animate. Tube of choice. I used one by Keith Garvey, it can be purchased at My PSP Tubes. FFQ Gravity Blossom pattern, FrameTemp22-TYA You may use your own color, gradient or pattern. Font of choice. Notes: Open font and minimize to task bar. Save often. If you choose to animate and want to keep layers intact on your .pspimage check this out: How to Animate & Keep Layers Intact.

Step 1 Open supplies in PSP and minimize. Open new canvas 500 X 500, transparent.

Step 2 In Material Palette choose Patterns and find FFQ Gravity Blossom or one of choice - Angle 0, Scale 100. Flood Fill canvas. Name this layer BG.

Step 3 Maximize frame and Paste as New Layer on canvas. Name this layer frame.

Step 4 With Magic Wand select black area of frame and Flood Fill with same pattern but change settings to Angle 0, Scale 50. Apply Inner Bevel of choice then Deselect.

Step 5 With Magic Wand select white area of frame. Selections / Modify / Expand by 2. Apply favorite Super Blade Pro gold preset or other gold pattern. Apply same Inner Bevel then Deselect. Resize by 85%.

Step 6 Open tube of choice and Paste on canvas. Resize if needed, I Resized by 85%. Name layer tube.

Step 7 Activate frame layer and with Magic Wand select the center. Selections / Modify / Expand by 1. Selections / Invert.

Step 8 Activate the tube layer and either hit Delete or use Eraser Tool to erase parts of tube not wanted. I erased bottom and both sides leaving top showing over frame. Deselect.

Step 9 Add Drop Shadow of choice to frame and tube layers.

Step 10 Add copyright making it small but readable. If the background is dark or busy see my tutorial on Creating a Backscreen for CRs.

Step 11 Add text and / or name using same pattern set to Angle 0, Scale 25 for Fill. Make Stroke 1, Black. Apply same Inner Bevel.

Step 12. Save as .pspimage to retain layers for future changes. Save as .jpg using Jpeg Optimizer to send thru group.

IF YOU CHOOSE TO ANIMATE FOLLOW STEPS BELOW

Step 1. Activate the BG layer and put a 1 in the Layer Link Toggle (chain). Duplicate 2 times for a total of 3 layers.

Step 2. Activate bottom BG layer and go to Alien Skin / Xenofex 2 / Constellation: 2, 50, 50, 0, 100, 75, 45, Keep Original Image, Random Seed 1. Move up to copy of BG layer and repeat Alien Skin / Xenofex 2 / Constellation and hit Random Seed once. Do the same to copy (2) of BG layer, hit Random Seed once.

Step 3. Hide copy and copy (2) of BG layer. Go to Edit / Copy Special / Copy Merged or click on Copy Merged icon if you have it on toolbar.

Step 4. Go to Animation Shop and Paste as New Animation. Back in PSP Hide original BG layer, unhide copy of BG layer. Copy Merged, go back to Animation Shop and Paste after Current Frame. Do the same with copy (2) of BG layer.

Step 5. View Animation and if happy Save as .gif file with these settings: Slider all the way at top for Better Quality. Under Colors tab: 255 colors, Optimized Ochre, Error Diffusion. Under Optimizations tab: Check Write minimal frames and Map Identical Pixels other boxes should be unchecked.

All done! I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial. Remember this is just a guide. Experiment using different colors, gradients or patterns, images and settings. Any questions you can reach me at kayewinters@zoomtown.com. This tutorial was written 11/29/09 by Kaye'z Designz.

How to Animate & Keep Layers Intact

This tutorial is copyrighted to Kaye @ Kaye'z Designz. You may print out for personal use but do not post to any site or distribute as your own. Any resemblance to others online is purely coincidental.

Create your tag as desired, keeping all layers visible (intact) see copy of layer palette. After you have tag to your liking Resize if needed, add your copyright and text and Save as a .pspimage.

Decide which layer you want to animate. I chose to add Sparkles to the flower layer (in layer palette I named that layer Mura’s Copies / Spiral).

I Duplicated that layer two more times for a total of 3 layers. I put a 2 in the Layer Link Toggle (chain). This helps keep layers from moving to avoid jumping in your animation.

Apply your Sparkles or other effect to each of the 3 layers you want to animate starting with the bottom one. When finished adding your effect to the layers you’re now ready to animate.

Open Animation Shop. Go back to PSP close off top 2 effects layers (in example that would be Copy of Mura’s Copies / Spiral and Copy (2) of Mura’s Copies / Spiral).

Go to Edit / Copy Special / Copy Merged or if you have the Copy Merged icon on your toolbar click on that. This will copy everything in layer palette that is open. Go to Animation Shop and Paste as New Animation.

Back in PSP hide bottom effect layer and open next one up. Copy Merged and go back to Animation Shop. Paste after Current Frame.

One more time back to PSP hide effect layer you just used and open next layer up. Copy Merged and go back to Animation Shop. Paste after Current Frame.

View / Animation and if happy Save as a .gif and you’re done.

I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial. Remember this is just a guide. Experiment using different colors, gradients or patterns, images, settings and effects. Any questions you can reach me at kayewinters@zoomtown.com. This tutorial was written 10/26/09 by Kaye'z Designz.

Xenofex 2 - Shatter

This tutorial is copyrighted to Kaye @ Kaye'z Designz. You may print out for personal use but do not post to any site or distribute as your own. Any resemblance to others online is purely coincidental.
Supplies Needed: Paint Shop Pro any version, I used X2. You can get it from COREL. Tube of choice. I used one by Val Aren, it can be purchased at MPT. You may use your own color, gradient or pattern. I used 2 Patterns LOTR 02 and Fun22 Gold. Font of choice or use mine Qwigley. Filter Needed: Alien Skin Xenofex 2 / Shatter. Notes: Open tube in PSP. Open font and minimize to task bar. Save often.

Step 1 Open new canvas 500 X 500. Flood Fill with color, gradient or pattern of choice. I used LOTR 02 Angle 0, Scale 100. Name this layer BG.

Step 2 Add a New Layer. Flood Fill with another color, gradient or pattern of choice. I used Fun22 Gold, Angle 0, Scale 50. Resize layer by 95%. Name this layer Shatter.

Step 3 On Shatter layer take your Selection Tool / Circle and click at 250, 250. Draw circle out to 100, 400. Don’t Deselect.

Step 4 Go to Alien Skin Xenofex 2 / Shatter: 26.08, 30, 56, 100, 27, 23.04, Make Selection Transparent, Random Seed 1. Deselect.

Step 5 Find tube you want to use. Copy and Paste on your canvas. Rename tube.

Step 6 With Magic Wand click inside Shatter layer circle. Selections / Invert. Activate tube layer and either hit Delete or use Eraser Tool to erase parts of tube you don’t want overlapping circle. I just erased some at the bottom.

Step 7 Add your text and/or name with font of choice. I used Qwigley, 80, Bold, Stroke 1.5 Fun22 Gold, Fill same as stroke. Place where you like.

Step 8 Add Inner Bevel: Bevel #2, 9, 0, 2, 0, 0, White, 315, 50, 30.

Step 9 Add Drop Shadow: 2, 2, 80, 2, Black.

Step 10 Add copyright making sure it is readable. Add your watermark.

Step 11 At this point you can stop and go to JPEP Optimizer and save to send thru your group. Make sure you save your .pspimage in case you want to change anything.

IF YOU WANT TO ANIMATED CONTINUE

Step 1 Open Animation Shop. Back in PSP Copy Merged. Go to AS and Paste as New Animation.

Step 2 Go to Effects / Insert Image Effect / Shear: Start with Animation Frame, Effects Length 2.5, Frames per Second 3 fps, Contains total of 7 frames. Customize: Shear Distance 15, Horizontal, Wrapped checked.

Step 3 Select Frame 1 and Delete. Select new frame 1 and Select All Frames, Copy. Select Frame 7 only and Paste after Current Frame. While still selected go to Animation / Reverse Frames.

Step 4 This animation creates a very large file at 500 X 500. To reduce file size I Selected All frames went to Animation / Cull Animation and put 2 in the box. I also Resized frames to 250 X 250.

Step 5 View Animation and if satisfied, Save As .gif file with these settings: Slider all the way at top for Better Quality. Under Colors tab: 255 colors, Optimized Octree, Error Diffusion. Under Optimizations tab: Check Write minimal frames and Map Identical Pixels other boxes should be unchecked.

All done! I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial. Remember this is just a guide. Experiment using different colors, gradients or patterns, images and settings. Any questions you can reach me at kayewinters@zoomtown.com. This tutorial was written 10/24/09 by Kaye'z Designz.

Creating a Backscreen for CRs or WMs

This tutorial is copyrighted to Kaye @ Kaye'z Designz. You may print out for personal use but do not post to any site or distribute as your own. Any resemblance to others online is purely coincidental.
The greatest benefit to using a Backscreen is not only the pleasing look, but also that it aids in making text stand out well on backgrounds that may otherwise be difficult to place text on. This tutorial is inspired by the Backscreen Tutorial created by Jasc Art Resource Center. NOTE: Any reference to CR also applies to a WM.

No Supplies. Create your tag as you normally would but don’t add CR yet! Resize the tag to a manageable size. I use 500 for longest side.
Add the CR as a New Layer and move to desired spot. If the CR is readable everything is fine at this point.
However, if your tag is busy or dark you may not be able to read the CR as clearly as you should (top image on tag).

There is a Solution!

Step 1 Add a New Layer, move below the CR. Rename layer backscreen.
Step 2 Go to Selection Tool, Rectangle.
Step 3 Draw a rectangle that extends 10 to 15 pixels around the CR.
Step 4 Flood Fill with white or another color that compliments the tag.
Step 5 Lower the Opacity of backscreen layer until you can see tag below and the CR is still readable (bottom image on tag). NOTE: Instead of lowering Opacity you can change backscreen layer’s Blend Mode to Soft Light and it should have the same effect.

OK, Say your backscreen looks too intrusive and you want to put it just around the CR. That can be done.

Step 6 Highlight CR layer.
Step 7 Take the Magic Wand and select anywhere in the canvas.
Step 8 Go to Selections / Invert. Just the text should be selected.
Step 9 Go to Selections / Modify / Expand by 2 or however wide you want the backscreen to be.
Step 10 Go to Selections / Invert again.
Step 11 Highlight the backscreen layer and hit the Delete key on the keyboard.
Step 12 Selections / Select None. (Middle image on tag.)

TIP: You can Merge Down the CR layer onto the backscreen layer so you can move it around the tag to a spot where the CR is most readable. OR you can click on the Layer Link Toggle for both layers in the Layer Palette and they will change to a one (1) and you can move them around without Merging. That way if you need to change the Opacity or Blend Mode you won’t have to start over.

All done! I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial. Remember this is just a guide. Experiment using different colors, gradients or patterns, images and settings. Any questions you can reach me at kayewinters@zoomtown.com. This tutorial was written 10/18/09 by Kaye'z Designz.

Creating a Border without PSP’s Add Borders

This tutorial is copyrighted to Kaye @ Kaye'z Designz. You may print out for personal use but do not post to any site or distribute as your own. Any resemblance to others online is purely coincidental. No supplies.

Okay, you’ve worked on a tag for hours or days with layers intact (BG, mask, tube, elements, name and CR and/or WM, etc.) and finally have it the way you want. You want to save it as .pspimage with layers so you can make changes to any layer as needed (different tube, name, CR or whatever). Now you want to add border(s) to it but don’t know how to keep your separate layers. If you use PSP’s Add Borders you will lose your layers as this effect Flattens the image to a single layer. WHAT to DO!
First, either create a tag with layers or find one you’ve done with layers intact, no border. If you use one already created Duplicate it and close original.

Step 1 You need to determine how wide a border you want around your tag. For example say your tag is 500 X 500 and you want 3 borders of 10 pixels each for a total 30 pixel border.

Step 2 Remove your CR layer and Paste as New Image. Go to Image / Canvas Size and add 60 to width and height of tag. Your canvas will be 560 X 560. The white in this image is your Resized canvas part.

Step 3 Add a New Layer and name it border(s).

Step 4 Flood Fill layer with color you want your outer layer to be usually a dark color from tube.

Step 5 Go to Selections / Select All. Selections / Modify / Contract by 10.

Step 6 While still selected Flood Fill with another color, gradient or pattern. Go to Selections / Modify / Contract by 10.

Step 7 One more time Flood Fill with same color (or any color you want) as outer border. Go to Selections / Modify / Contract by 10. Keep selected.

Step 8 Hit the Delete key on keyboard. Your original tag should now be showing with a border around it.

Step 9 If you want to add an Inner Bevel to the border go to Selections / Invert and apply your favorite Bevel. Select None.

At this point I Resize my canvas back to 500 X 500. Add your CR layer back to your tag.

Note: If your colors are different enough you could select each border and apply an Inner Bevel or some other effect to each one instead of all 3 at once.

Note: You can leave your border layer at the top of your layer palette or move it to the bottom.

All done! I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial. Remember this is just a guide. Experiment using different colors, gradients or patterns, images and settings. Any questions you can reach me at kayewinters@zoomtown.com. This tutorial was written 10/13/09 by Kaye'z Designz.

Elegant Chic

Click HERE for Animated Version. This tutorial is copyrighted to Kaye @ Kaye'z Designz. You may print out for personal use but do not post to any site or distribute as your own. Any resemblance to others online is purely coincidental.
Supplies Needed: Paint Shop Pro any version, I used X2. You can get it from COREL. Animation Shop (Optional). Tube of choice. I used one by Elias Chatzoudis which can be purchased HERE. Pattern - Blue Swirl 02 or one of choice. Eye Candy 3.1 / Swirl. FM Tile Tools / Blend Emboss. Mask of choice or use mine WSL mask 238. Font of choice, I used Comic Sans MS which should be a standard font. Bel Vidotti Scrapkit Chic. Notes: Open tube and mask in PSP, minimize both for now. Open font and minimize to task bar. Save often.

Step 1 Open 500 X 500 transparent canvas. Flood Fill with white. Name this layer BG.
Step 2 Add a New Raster Layer. Fill with Blue Swirl 02 pattern or one of choice.
Step 3 Go to Eye Candy 3.1 / Swirl with Sand Painting preset. If you don’t have the preset the settings are: 101, 10, 60, 100, Warp and Smooth should have teal dots by them.
Step 4 Go to FM Tile Tools / Blend Emboss with default settings.
Step 5 Go to Layers / New Mask Layer / from Image: Check Source Luminance and Invert Mask Data. Select your mask from the drop down. Merge Group. I Resized mask by 105% a couple of times to fill canvas more. Center in Canvas. Name Mask.
Step 6 If you choose Colorize the mask layer to go with your tube.
Step 7 From the Bel Vidotti Scrapkit Chic open Element 50 which is a frame. Copy and Paste as New Layer on your canvas. Rotate Right 90 Degrees. Resize by 85%. Center in Canvas. Name Frame.
Step 8 Copy and Paste tube of choice as New Layer. Resize as needed. I Resized mine by 85%. Give it a Drop Shadow of choice. Name tube.
Step 9 Activate frame layer and with Magic Wand click inside the frame. Selections / Invert. Activate tube layer and with Eraser Tool erase bottom part of tube that is hanging over the frame. Select None.
Step 10 Add any other elements from the scrapkit that you want. I added a butterfly and flower resizing them to fit on frame. Give them a Drop Shadow of choice. Name each layer.
Step 11 Add your copyright on New Layer. Name CR.
Step 12 Add your name with font of choice. I used Comic Sans MS: Vector, Size 60, Stroke 1, Bold. I used pattern for the Stroke and Fill. Add an Inner Bevel if you like. I used Bevel #2, 9, 0, 2, 0, 0, White, 315, 50, 30. Name layer.
Step 13 When happy with tag Save As a .pspimage to make future changes. Save As .jpg using Jpeg Optimizer to send thru your group.

If you wish to Animate open Animation Shop and continue

Step 14 Choose an element you added. With Magic Wand select part(s) of element you want to animate. Promote Selection to Layer. Duplicate layer twice for a total of 3 layers. Starting from bottom element name layers Noise1, Noise2 and Noise3.
Step 15 Select original element layer. Got to Effects / Plugins / DSB Flux / Bright Noise: Intensity 50, Mix. Move up one layer and apply Bright Noise changing Intensity to 55. Move up one more layer and apply Bright Noise changing Intensity to 60.
Step 16 Close off top 2 Noise layers. Copy Merged. Paste as New Animation in Animation Shop.
Step 17 Back to PSP. Close off Noise1 layer and open Noise2. Copy Merged. Paste after Current Frame in AS, (Ctrl + Shift + L).
Step 18 Back to PSP. Close off Noise2 layer and open Noise3. Copy Merged. Paste after Current Frame in AS.
Step 19 View Animation and if happy Save As .gif file with these settings: Slider all the way at top for Better Quality. Under Colors tab: 255 colors, Optimized Octree, Error Diffusion. Under Optimizations tab: Check Write minimal frames and Map Identical Pixels other boxes should be unchecked.

All done! I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial. Remember this is just a guide. Experiment using different colors, gradients or patterns, images and settings. Any questions you can reach me at kayewinters@zoomtown.com. This tutorial was written 9/22/09 by Kaye'z Designz.

Ismael Rac's Zodiac Girls

Click HERE for Animated Version.
This tutorial is copyrighted to Kaye @ Kaye'z Designz. You may print out for personal use but do not post to any site or distribute as your own. Any resemblance to others online is purely coincidental. Supplies Needed: Paint Shop Pro any version, I used X2. You can get it from COREL. Tube(s) of choice. I used ones by Ismael Rac, it can be purchased at Artistic Minds Inc. If you don’t have Ismael Rac’s Zodiac Girls you can go HERE to download Creddy’s Zodiac Tubes. Or you can search for other free tubes to use. If you use the Creddy tubes you need to add this copyright: © Creddyworld / http://www.creddy.at/. You may use your own color, gradient or pattern. I used Colorful Fae.jpg pattern. Font of choice or use mine 0 Bills Holiday DNA.ttf. Zodiacs ftfs63.png to use as guide. Plugin Needed - Xenofex 2 / Constellation (for Animation). Notes: Open Supplies in PSP. Open font and minimize to task bar. Save Often.

Step 1 Open new canvas 650 X 650. We will resize later. Flood Fill with color, gradient or pattern of choice. I used Colorful Fae.jpg pattern. Name this layer BG.
Step 2 Copy and Paste Zodiacs ftfs63.png as New Layer. Stretch out to almost same size as canvas. Don’t worry if it’s blurry, it will be deleted later. Name this layer zodiac guide.
Step 3 In Material Palette set Background to black, Foreground to Null. Take your Preset Shapes Tool, Ellipse, Line Width 2. Draw out a circle sized 125 X 125. Convert to Raster Layer. Name this layer circle. Duplicate circle 11 times for total of 12.
Step 4 Arrange the 12 circles like in header image. When satisfied with arrangement close background layer and zodiac guide layer. Merge Visible the circles, name layer circles. Center in Canvas. With Magic Wand select inside all circles. Selections / Modify / Expand by 1. Add New Layer below the circles and Fill with color, gradient or pattern of choice. Name this layer circles fill.
Step 5 Copy and Paste first zodiac tube above circles fill but below circle. Be sure to match each tube with name on zodiac guide. Give it a Drop Shadow: 3, 3, 65, 8, Black. Resize so that head fits in circle.
Step 6 Move each head under a circle. With Magic Wand click inside matching circle. Selections / Modify / Expand by 1. Selections / Invert. Go to tube layer and hit Delete. Deselect. Name your layer whichever zodiac you are doing, i.e. Capricorn, Sagittarius, etc. Continue this step until you have all 12 tubes under proper circle.
Step 7 Take your Preset Shapes Tool same settings as Step 3. Draw out a circle about 5 pixels larger than your 12 circles.
Step 8 Switch to your Text Tool, Foreground Null, Background Black, Size 18 to 20 depending on font used. Set Alignment to Left. Type out Zodiac name starting at top with Capricorn. Continue typing until you have all of them listed. You will need to add spaces between the names to get them to line up with the circles. Use header image as guide. Once names are lined up with circles go to Layer Palette. Click on plus (+) sign to open it, click on circle to hide it. Convert to Raster Layer. Delete the zodiacsftfs63 layer.
Step 9 Using Text Tool again same font but size 40 or 50, foreground black stroke 1, background Colorful Fae pattern or your choice. Type in your text and Center in Layer. Add Inner Bevel and Drop Shadow of choice.
Step 10 Text Tool one more time. Same settings as Step 9. Type your name, Add Inner Bevel and Drop Shadow of choice. Place where you like.
Step 11 Resize your canvas to 500 X 500.
Step 12 Add your copyright / watermark.
Step 13 Save as .pspimage with layers intact so you can make changes if desired. Save again using Jpeg Optimizer to send thru your group. Or you can Animate as I did.
IF YOU WANT TO ANIMATE FOLLOW THESE STEPS
Step 14 Open Animation Shop. Back in PSP activate the Background layer. Apply FM Tile Tools / Blend Emboss then Duplicate 2 times for a total of 3 layers.
Step 15 On bottom BG layer apply Xenofex 2 / Constellation: 2.98, 50, 50, 25, 50, 75, 45, Keep Original Image checked, Random Seed - whatever is there.
Step 16 Move up one layer using same Constellation settings except click on Random Seed once. Repeat for top BG layer.
Step 17 Close top 2 BG layers and Edit / Copy Merged. Go to AS and Paste as New Animation.
Step 18 Close bottom BG layer and open next layer. Edit / Copy Merged. Go to AS and Paste after Current Frame. Repeat for top BG layer.
Step 19 View Animation, if happy save as .gif file with these settings: Slider all the way at top for Better Quality. Under Colors Tab: 255 colors, Optimized Octree, Error Diffusion. Under Optimizations tab: Check Write minimal frames and Map Identical Pixels other boxes should be unchecked.

All done! I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial. Remember this is just a guide. Experiment using different colors, gradients or patterns, images and settings. Any questions you can reach me at kayewinters@zoomtown.com. Tutorial written 9/2/09 by Kaye'z Designz.