PSP

~ This tutorial assumes you are familiar with the tools in PSP ~
It was written on April 16, 2009, using PSP 9, but it can be completed in most versions.
Tutorials are only guidelines, it's always fun to experiment with different settings on your own : )
 

This tutorial is not suitable for a beginner, it's geared more toward someone who is not only familiar with
vectors but is comfortable with the node edit functions in Paint Shop Pro.

~ SAVE YOUR WORK OFTEN ~
 

Open a new 'Vector' file; File > New



Click on the Preset Shapes tool, or type the letter 'P' to activate it.
Locate and load the 'Heart1' shape.  If you do not have this shape you can download it HERE.
Place it in PSP's preset shapes folder located in mydocuments\My PSP files\Preset Shapes.

Plug in the following settings in the Tool Options Palette:
(Retain style: Unchecked, Create as vector & Anti-alias: Checked, Line style: Solid, Width: 1.00

 

Step 2:

Creating the bow loops

In the Materials palette, set the Foreground color to black and the Background to a color of your choice.
I used #8a996d.

On your canvas, hold down your left mouse button and drag out your heart.
My heart is sized at about 90X80.

Rotate your heart 90 degrees to the left.
Image > Rotate > Free rotate

Grab the Pen Tool, or type the letter 'V' to activate it.
Edit your nodes so that the placement of the handles look similar to the image below.
(you will only be able to see the handles of one node at a time when editing)

I moved the top node up, middle node down and to the left a bit, bottom node down,
then rounded the corners using the node handles.


Remember, if you make a mistake, hitting Control 'Z' on your keyboard will undo your last move.

Still using the pen tool, click on the middle node to select it.
Right click on the node with your mouse and select 'Edit > Break'.
You now should have 2 separate middle nodes.

Zoom in closely and hover your mouse over the 2 nodes.
Click on the one that says 'Start' and pull it into the bow to create an illusion of a crease.


When you are done, pull out the node handle to round out the top of the bow loop again and
to close any gap that may be between the broken nodes.  We don't want any gaps in our loop.

---

Step 3:

Using the Move/Pick tool, move the bow loop up toward the top left of the canvas.

Duplicate and mirror your bow loop; Layers > Duplicate, Image > Mirror

Grab the Move/Pick tool again & move the right loop closer to the left loop. 
When you are happy with the placement of your loops, right click on the layer and select 'Merge down'
Double click on the layer and name it 'Bow loops'.

Click on the plus sign (+) next to the layer.  Notice that both bow loops are located in sublayers.  In order
to select a vector object from the layers palette, you must click on it's sublayer. 
You can tell if a sublayer is selected if the name is highlighted in bold.

Both of your sublayers should be selected, but if not, click on the first Heart1 sublayer. 
Hold down your 'Shift key' and click on the 2nd Heart1 sublayer.

---

~ Shading Effect ~
With both sublayers selected, right click on one of them and select 'Create Raster Selection'.
Create a new 'Raster' layer.
Selections > Invert
Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow: -2, -2, 56, 48, #151711
Selections > Select none
Name this layer 'Bow loops shading'.

---

Inside Bow Loops
Because this is a 'vector' file, a new vector layer should automatically be created whenever you use a vector tool.
However, to be safe, I'm having you add a new vector layer where needed, not that I don't trust PSP or anything, lol.

Add a new vector layer; Layers > New vector layer.
Grab your Ellipse Tool, or type the letter 'Q' to activate it.

In the Tool Options Palette, change the Mode to: Draw Ellipse
All other settings remain the same as above.

Change your background color to one that coordinates with your bow loops.  I used #bba664.
Your Foreground color should still be set on Black.

Draw out a long thin oval shape.
Grab the Object Selection Tool, or type the letter 'O' to activate it; rotate the oval
into place on top of your Left Bow Loop.  You can thin out the bottom of your oval
by converting the shape to a path and using the pen tool to drag in the bottom handles.

Sample of mine:


When you are happy with your results, duplicate and mirror this layer, place the duplicate
on top of your Right bow loop.  Merge this layer down and name it 'Inside bow loops'.

In the layers palette, select both inside bow loops. 
Apply the above Shading effect, except change the drop shadow to
Horizontal & Vertical 1, blur 10.
Selections > Invert
Apply another drop shadow, changing the blur to 5.
Selections > Select none

Name this layer Inside bow loops shading.

---

Step 4 :

Adding the knot:

Add a new vector layer; Layers > New vector layer.
Grab your Rectangle tool, or type the letter 'G' to activate it.

Drag out a rectangle large enough to create your bow knot. 
I converted my rectangle to a 'path' and edited my nodes a bit for my knot. (see finished bow)

When you are happy with the shape of your knot, place it where you want it, name this layer 'Knot'.

Select the sublayer and apply the Shading effect in Step 3, changing the drop shadow as follows:
Horizontal & Vertical 1, blur 14.
Repeat drop shadow with Horizontal & Vertical at -1.

Name this layer Knot shading.

---

Adding the tails:

Click back on your Bow loops layer (bottom layer).
Add a new Vector layer, and move it to the bottom of the layers palette.
Layers > Arrange > Send to bottom

Change your Background color back to your original bow loop color.

Grab the pen tool, set the Tool Options Palette as follows:
Mode:  Draw point to point, Bezier curves
Connect segments, Show Nodes and Create as Vector:  CHECKED
Line Style: Solid, Line Width: 1

Draw out your left tail.  Below is an example of mine:
(I didn't close my top, but that's your choice - I've removed the color for tut purposes)



Duplicate this layer,   Position your tails where you like, when you're happy with the placement,
right click on the right tail layer and merge down.  Name this layer 'Tails'

Select them both and apply the exact same shading effect from Step 3.

Name this layer Tail shading.

---

Inside tails:

Add a new Vector layer.
Using the Ellipse Tool, follow the same steps we did for the Inside bow loops.
After you merge your ovals together, name the layer Inside tails.

Apply the same drop shadow effect as you did for the Inside Bow loops, but change the drop
shadow blur to 5 and do not apply the 2nd shadow.

Name this layer Inside tails shading.



Whew, are you still with me? We're almost done.
Don't forget to save your file.

---

Step 5:

Adding details

Click on your Bow loops layer (bottom layer).
Add a new Vector layer - Layers > New Vector Layer
 
Grab the pen tool again, set the Tool Options Palette as follows:
Mode:  Draw freehand
Connect segments and Show Nodes:  NOT checked
Create as Vector:  CHECKED
Line Style: Solid
Line Width: 1

In the materials palette, set the Foreground color to Black.
Set the Background color to Null (transparent)

Draw some lines across the both loops (under the knot) to simulate folds/creases.
When you are happy with your lines, duplicate the layer.  On the original layer,
double click on the sublayer, change the stroke width to 1.5 in the pop up box, hit ok.
Convert this layer to raster; apply a Gaussian blur of 1.5.
Adjust > Blur > Gaussian blur

Click on your top layer, add a new Vector layer.
Now add a line or lines for your knot.  Again, duplicate this layer.  On the original layer,
double click on the sublayer, change the stroke width to 1.5 in the pop up box, hit ok.
Convert this layer to raster; apply a Gaussian blur of 1.5.
Adjust > Blur > Gaussian blur

 Sample of my lines



Click on your Inside tails layer, add a new Vector layer.
Repeat the above process on each tail, if desired.

You are done! 
Save this file as a psp file and you will keep all vector objects
editable which is nice for changing colors, etc.


Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed this rather long tutorial ; )



 

~ This tutorial assumes you are familiar with the tools in PSP ~
It was written on October 12, 2008, using PSP 9, but can be completed in most versions.
Tutorials are only guidelines, it's always fun to experiment with different settings on your own : )

Materials needed: Alien Skin Xenofex 2; Crumble - Download Demo HERE This filter is optional, I've provided an alternative in Step 5.

Step 1:
Create a new file (File > New); Size: 525x525, transparent background.
In your Materials palette, change your foreground to a color of your choice.
Using your paint bucket, fill the canvas with your foreground color.


Step 2:
Effects > Texture effects > Weave
Plug in the below settings, then hit 'OK'.

(Gap size & Width 10, Opacity 1, Gap color black, Fill gaps checked)



Step 3:
Effects > Distortion effects > Pixelate
Plug in the below settings, then hit 'OK'.

(block width 5, block height 21, Symmetric not checked)



Step 4:
Layers > Duplicate.
Image > Rotate > Free rotate; right 90.
Lower the opacity of the duplicate layer to 58%.

On your canvas, right click on the 'Title bar', select copy merged.
Control 'V' on your keyboard to paste it as a new image.

Mimimize the original file for now.


Step 5:
Working on our merged copy file....
Adjust > Add/Remove Noise > Uniform, Mono, 3.

Your gingham is now complete.
I applied Xenofex 2 > Crumble to create a 'fabric' look.  But you can apply one of
PSP's texture effects as an alternative.  Below are the settings I used for both:

Xenofex / Crumble Settings:



PSP Texture Effect:
Effects > Texture effects > Texture
I choose the Granite 01 texture, but play around and find one you like.



Save your file as a .psp or .png and close it.


Let's have some fun with our original, unmerged file.
Maximize your original gingham file.
Bring the opacity of the top layer back up to 100%.

Now play with the blend modes on this layer to see what other effects you can create.

Changing the blend mode to 'Difference' will create a country check.
Try the 'Screen' mode for a plaid effect.

Experiment and have some fun!

Thanks for visiting, I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.

~ This tutorial assumes you are familiar with the tools in PSP ~
It was written on August 11, 2008, using PSP 9, but can be completed in most versions.
Tutorials are only guidelines, it's always fun to experiment with different settings on your own : )

Materials needed: My Supply Download Music Image (medium size) - download from HERE Pattern Image (medium size) - download from HERE The above images are being offered under the Creative Commons License. Font of choice, I used Boulevard BQ. Filters / Plugin needed: FM tile Tools/Blend Emboss.  Download demo HERE

It's a good idea to read through each step before starting them.
Don't forget to save your file often!


Step 1:

Open the white music image that you downloaded in PSP.
On your keyboard hit 'Control C' to copy the image, then close it.

Open a new raster file (file > new), size 600x600, white background.
This will be your 'working canvas'.

Hit 'Control L' on your keyboard to paste the music image as a new layer.
Selections > Select all  /  Selections > Float  /  Selections > Defloat.
Selections > Modify > Contract, contract by 2.
Selections > Modify > Feather, feather by 1.
Selections > Invert.
Hit the delete key on your keyboard.

Selections > Select None

Double click on the layer and name it 'Music'.



Step 2:

Unzip my supplies.

Open the fantasy-macha-150109.pspimage in PSP.
Unhide the bottom layer (click the eye next to the layer).
'Control C' to copy the image - close the file.
'Control L' on your working canvas to paste it as a new layer.
Image > Mirror.  Move it over to the right, (refer to my finished tag).
Rename this layer 'Tube'.

Click on the Music layer to select it.
Selections > Select all  /  Selections > Float  /  Selections > Defloat.
Selections > Invert.

Click back on the Tube layer and hit your delete key.

Selections > Select None

Effects > Plugins > FM Tile Tools > Blend emboss (use default settings).
Change the blend mode to 'Multiply'.



Step 3:

Click on the Music layer.
Selections > Select all  /  Selections > Float  /  Selections > Defloat.
Open the pattern image you downloaded earlier.
'Control C' to copy it - close the original.

Click on the top layer of your working canvas.
Create a new raster layer, name it 'pattern'.
Edit > Paste > Paste Into Selection.
Change the blend mode to 'Overlay'.
Lower the opacity of this layer to about 58 (higher if you want it darker).

Selections > Select None

This is how your layers palette should look at this point:




Step 4:

Add your signature.

Add your saying, or use mine.  If you use mine, change
the blend mode to 'screen' and lower the opacity a bit.

Add  a drop shadow of your choice. 
I used 0, 5, 55, 5, Black, shadow on new layer not checked.

Feel free to experiment with different blend modes on some of your layers.
When you are happy with how your tag looks, hide your white Background
layer by clicking on the 'eye' next to the layer.
Right click on any other layer and select 'Merge visible'.

Add  a drop shadow: 2, 2, 53, 10, Black, shadow on new layer not checked.


Grab your Selection Tool (or type the letter 'S' to activate it).
On the Tool Options Palette, under 'Create selection from'; click on the
Layer opaque button (Middle button).

Image > Crop to selection

Save your file as a jpeg and you are done!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial; I would love to see your results!

~ This tutorial assumes you are familiar with the tools in PSP ~
It was written on November 3, 2008, using PSP 9, but can be completed in most versions.
Tutorials are only guidelines, it's always fun to experiment with different settings on your own : )

It's a good idea to read through each step before starting them.
Don't forget to save your file often!


Before starting this tutorial:

Download and unzip my supplies.
Download and install the filter(s) - Remember to restart PSP after installing any filter.


Step 1:

Open the tag_base file in PSP.
On your keyboard, hold down your 'Shift Key' and tap the letter 'D' to duplicate it.
Close the original file.
This will be your working canvas.

Open the V~WhiteForestSky tub in PSP.
Adjust > Color Balance > Manual Color Correction
(if you do not see the color correction, please see bottom of this page for additional help)

Change the source color to #a29c6a and the target color to #a0ac81, click 'ok'.
On your keyboard, hit 'Control C'  to copy the image, then close it.



Step 2:

In the layers palette, unhide the Base, Tube and Glass layers by clicking on the eye next to each layer.

Making sure you are on the 'Base' layer, grab the magic wand tool.
Plug in the following settings in the Tool Options Palette:
Mode: Replace
Match mode:  RGB value
Tolerance: 20
Contiguous: Checked
Feather 0
Anti-Alias: Checked

Click inside the circle of the base to select it.
Selections > Modify > Expand, enter 25 and hit ok.
In the layers palette, click on the 'Tube' layer.
Go up to Edit > Paste > Paste into Selection.
Selections > Modify > Contract, enter 17 and hit ok.
Selections > Invert.
Hit the delete key on your keyboard.

KEEP SELECTED....



Step 3:

Click on the 'Glass' layer.
Selections > Invert
Effects > Eyecandy 4000 > Glass
Plug in the below settings:







(we are not looking for a traditional glass effect here, we are just trying to
achieve a soft, almost translucent glow at the top of the image.  If you change the
above settings your tag may look different)



Step 4:

Selections > Select None

Right click on your 'tube' layer and select 'merge down'. 
This will merge the tube with the glass layer. 
Rename this layer Tube.

This is what you should have now:


Right click on any layer and select 'View all'.

Go up to the 'Words' layer and apply the following drop shadow:
1,1, 53, 5, Black, Shadow on new layer not checked.

Apply the same drop shadow to your 'Base' Layer.

Add your signature, using a font of your choice.
  Apply the same drop shadow as above.

When you are satisfied with how everything looks, hide your Background and Tube layer
by clicking on the eye next to each layer.
Right click on any other layer and select 'Merge visible'.

If you would like to add some brush effects to the background, now is the time,
keeping in mind that the ornament is semi-transparent and your brush may show through.
A nice grunge brush would work well for this.



Step 5:
On to the animation....

Unhide the Background and Tube layers.

Click on the Tube layer.
Effects > Alien Skin Eyecandy 5: Nature > Water drops.

Under Settings, select the 'Small Condensation' preset:



Under Basic, change the numeric settings as shown below:




Step 6:

Edit > copy merged.

In Animation Shop, right click on the workspace and select 'Paste as new animation'.

Go back to PSP.

Hit 'Control z' on your keyboard to remove the first waterdrop effect.
Apply EC5 Water drops again, except hit the 'Random Seed' button once.
------------------------------------------------------------
Edit > copy merged.

Back in Animation Shop, right click on the image and select 'Paste after current frame'

Back to PSP.

Hit 'Control z' on your keyboard.
Again apply EC5 Water drops, hit the 'Random Seed' button once.
------------------------------------------------------------
Edit > copy merged.

Back in Animation Shop, right click on the image and select 'Paste after current frame'


You should now have 3 frames in Animation Shop.
Hit Control 'A' to select all frames.
Right click on the image, select 'Frame Properties'.
Change the Display time to 20, hit ok.

Animation > Resize Animation.  85% should be good.
Animation > View Animation.
File > Save As, name your file and save.
Hit Next, Next, Next, Finish.

Well that's it, we are done!
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial; please let me know if you have any questions.



Manual Color Correction may not show up under the Adjust drop down list in newer versions of PSP.
Follow the steps below to find out where it is hiding : )

~ This tutorial assumes you are familiar with the tools in PSP ~
It was written on November 12, 2008, using PSP 9, but it can be completed in most versions.
Tutorials are only guidelines, it's always fun to experiment with different settings on your own : )

  The stocking_canvas file located in my supply download contains 3 alpha channel selections.
To load a selection, go up to Selections > Load/Save Selections > Load selection from alpha channel.


Step 1:
Unzip & open the stocking_canvas.pspimage file in PSP.
Hold down the Shift Key and hit the letter 'D' to duplicate the file.
Close the original.

In the Materials palette, set your Background/fill to a pattern of your choice.
Set the Foreground/stroke to a color that matches your pattern.

~ Remember to save your file often  ~


Step 2:
Making sure you are on the Stocking layer, load the 'Stocking' alpha channel selection.

Selections > modify > Smooth
Smoothing amount: 15
Anti-alias: Checked
Preserve Corners: Unchecked

Grab your flood fill tool (or type the lower case letter 'F' to activate it)
On your canvas, right click on the stocking selection to fill it with your Background pattern.

Selections > Select none


Step 3:
Go up to the 'Hanger' layer and load the 'Hanger' selection.
Fill with your Background pattern like we did in step 2.

Go up to the 'Cuff' layer, load the 'Cuff' selection.
Left click on the cuff selection to fill it with your Foreground color.

Keep Selected.


Step 4:
Because I wanted a textured felt look to my cuff, I applied MuRa's cloud filter
before I applied my texture, but you can use any effect you would like on yours.

Here is how I did mine:
Change the Background/fill to a color just slightly lighter than your Foreground color.
Here is a sample of the colors I used:


Effects > Plugins > MuRa's Meister > Clouds.
Click on the 'reset colors' button until you get a cloud effect you like, hit OK.

Selections > Select none

Still on the Cuff layer, I then added a texture.
Effects > Texture Effects > Texture

Below are the settings I used:

(The 'Grain Fine Cloudy' texture was included with PSP9.
If you need it, you can download it from my Rope tut supplies, HERE)

Texture: Grain fine cloudy, Size: 25, 5, 2, -5, 0, white, 332, 50, 30


Step 5:
Effects > 3D Effects > Inner Bevel.

Plug in the following settings:

Bevel #2, 18, 2, 2, 8, 15, white, 315, 40, 36


Click on the Hanger layer.
Edit > Repeat Inner Bevel

Click on the Stocking layer.
Edit > Repeat Inner Bevel

All 3 of your pieces should now be beveled.


Step 6:
Apply a slight Drop shadow to each of your pieces.

These are the settings I used: 
Vertical & Horizontal: 1
Opacity: 50
Blur: 5
Color: Black

Hide the background layer by clicking on the 'eye' next to it.
Right click on any other layer and select 'merge visible'.
Rename this layer 'Stocking'.


Step 7:
Open the fluffy ball image from my supplies.
Control 'C' to copy it, then close the file.
On your stocking canvas, Control 'L' to paste it as a new layer.

Duplicate the ball layer 3 times, so that you have a total of 4.
(Layers > Duplicate)

Place them on the ends of each cuff point. 
When you are happy with the placement, hide your stocking layer.
Right click on one of the ball layers and merge visible.

Apply the same drop shadow as above, but lower the 'Blur' to 3.

Right click on your merged layer and select 'View all'.

(I don't like to merge my stocking and ball layers together.  This allows me to swap the balls for tassels,
or change the color of the stocking later.  It much easier then redoing the whole darn thing).

Now just add your bow, or any type of decoration, and you are done!



I hope you enjoyed this tutorial; I would love to see your results.
Please send them to 'admin at suntiques.com'.




 

~ This tutorial assumes you are familiar with the tools in PSP ~
It was written on October 1, 2008, using PSP 9, but it can be completed in most versions.
Tutorials are only guidelines, it's always fun to experiment with different settings on your own : )
 

Supplies needed:
Coral Paint Sho Pro
My Supplies

Filters Used:
EyeCandy 4000 / Gradient Glow (optional).
(This filter was used to outline my witch so that she stood out from the tag.
You can easily substitute this effect with a solid drop shadow or leave the outline off entirely).


Step 1:
Download and unzip my supplies.

Open a new file; 800x800, white background.
We will resize it later – This will be your working canvas.

Open the pattern_dots.jpg file in PSP.
Hit Control ‘C’ on your keyboard to copy it to the clipboard. Close the file.
Back on your working canvas, hit Control ‘L’ to paste the pattern as a new layer.

Hit Control ‘R’ to bring up the Image rotate dialog box.
Plug in these settings:  Direction ‘left’, Degrees ‘20’, all other boxes ‘unchecked’.

Effects > 3D Effects > Drop shadow:  1, 1, 65, 5, black 
(I applied this shadow to all elements, but feel free to use one of your own)


Step 2:
Open the pattern_orange.jpg file in PSP.
Copy and paste it as a new layer on your working canvas (like we did in Step 1).

Move the pattern up just a bit; refer to my finished tag for placement.
Apply your drop shadow.


Step 3:
Open the black flower, copy and paste it as a new layer on your working canvas.
Close the original file.
Move the flower to the upper right of the canvas for now.

Over on the Layers Palette, right click on the flower layer and duplicate it.

Hit Shift ‘S’ on your keyboard to bring up the Resize dialog box.
Resize the duplicate flower 85%.
Resampling and Lock aspect ratio: both checked.
Resample using: Bicubic.
Maintain original print size and Resize all layers unchecked.

Move this flower to the upper right of the canvas also.

Back to the layers palette, move both flower layers down between the 2 pattern layers.
(We want the flowers under our orange pattern).

Place your flowers where you want them, or refer to my finished tag for my placement.
Apply your drop shadow.


Step 4:
Open the remaining elements in PSP.
Copy and paste each one onto your working canvas in the order listed below.
Place them as shown on my finished tag, adding your drop shadow to each one as you go.

1.  st_spiderweb
2.  st_pumpkins
3.  st_banner
4.  st_witch
5.  st_wordart
6.  st_bat (resize bat 85%, twice)
7.  st_ribbonlabel


Step 5:
Open the st_tag image.  Copy and paste it onto your working canvas.
(No drop shadow is needed on this tag)

Add your name to the tag, using a font of your choice. 
I used KR Batty font, you can find it here.


Step 6:
~ This step is optional ~

In the layers palette, click on the witch layer.
Effects > Plugins > Eye Candy 4000 > Gradient glow

Plug in the following settings:

Under the Basic Tab:
Glow width: 3,  Soft Corners: 25,  Overall Opacity: 100%
Draw only outside selection: Checked


Under the Color Tab:
Select 'Thin' from the list
Change the color on both ends to #dc9a66.
  Opacity: 100%



Step 7:
Hide your background layer by clicking on the eye next to it.
Right click on any other layer and select ‘Merge visible’.

Grab your Selection tool or type the letter ‘S’ to activate it.
In the Tool Options palette, under ‘Create selection from’, click the ‘Merged opaque’ button.

Hold your Shift key down and hit the letter ‘R’ to crop the image to your selection.

Selections > Select none.

Hold your Shift key down, hit the letter ‘S’ and resize your image.
I resized mine 75%, Bicubic, making sure ‘all layers’ was checked.

Save your file and you are done!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial; I would love to see your results.

You can reach me via email at this address:
'admin at suntiques.com'

Thanks for stopping by!






 

~ This tutorial assumes you are familiar with the tools in PSP ~
It was written on August 22, 2008, using PSP 9, but it can be completed in most versions.
Tutorials are only guidelines, it's always fun to experiment with different settings on your own : )
 

~ It's a good idea to read through each step before doing them ~

Supplies needed:
2 photo's/images of your choice.
One that you want to extract the colors from.
One that you want to apply those colors to.


Step 1:
Open the photo/image you would like to extract the colors from.
Duplicate it by holding down the Shift key and hitting the letter 'D' on your keyboard.
Close the original.

This is a sample of the image I used, I love the warm autumn colors this image contains.
(The original size was 450x338)


Effects > Distortion effects > pixelate
Set the block width and height to a size that you like, see below.

Here is how I set mine, but you may need to adjust your settings, depending on the size of
your original image.  Because mine was 450x338, 28 worked for me.



I now have my autumn color swatches that I can use in other projects.
Duplicate this file (shift D), save the duplicate copy to your computer for later use, then close it.
(I created a folder called 'my swatches' and saved this file there. )


Step 2:
Now we'll create an image palette from the remaining copy.

Go up to Image > Decrease color depth > 256 colors (8bit).
Select 'Optimized Medium Cut' and 'Nearest color', hit ok.

Image > Palette > Save palette.  Name your palette and click save.
(You can click on the 'Edit Paths' button to specify which folder the file is being saved to).

I saved mine to the default PSP folder located in 'my documents'.



You can close this image after it's saved.


Step 3:
Now for the fun part!
Open your 2nd photo in PSP (the one you want to apply the above palette colors to).
Duplicate it, close the original.

Follow the steps below:
1) Image > Palette > Load Palette.
Load the palette we just created above, check Nearest color matching. 
If a box pops up asking you if you want to flatten image, click 'yes'.

Your image should change to the colors in the palette.
The effect looks a little rough to me, so let's try to soften the effect.
(You may need to adjust the below settings, depending on your image)

2) Layers/duplicate, hide the duplicate layer by clicking on the eye next to it.
On the bottom layer, Effects > Softness > Soft Focus > Halo Medium.

(Here are the settings for the Halo Medium preset)


3) Unhide your duplicate layer and change the blend mode to Screen, lower opacity to 88.

4) It looks pretty good at this point, but if you would like it a little darker, go ahead and duplicate
the top layer.  Change the blend mode to Luminance, lower opacity to 30.

Here is a visual recap of the steps we just applied above:



Step 4:
Right click on any layer and select Merge > Merge Visible.
Save your image, and you are done!


I hope you enjoyed this tutorial; I would love to see your results.
You can send them to me at this email address: admin at suntiques.com







 

~ This tutorial assumes you are familiar with the tools in PSP ~
It was written on May 2, 2008, using PSP 9, but it can be completed in most versions.
Tutorials are only guidelines, it's always fun to experiment with different settings on your own : )

 
I actually have a few different techniques for creating faux felt, but this one is so easy I thought I'd share it with you.
This tutorial covers making a circular button/tag.

Steps 1 through 4 guides you in creating the felt texture and is very easy to complete.
The remaining steps work with vector shapes and custom line styles which
are geared more toward the intermdiate/advanced user.

Before starting this tutorial:
Download and install the above filters - Remember to restart PSP after installing any filter.

Step 1:
Create a new file 400x400, white background.

Grab your Ellipse tool, or hit the letter ‘q’ to activate it. 
In the Tool Options Palette, set the Mode to ‘Circle’ and check ‘Create as vector’.

In the Materials Palette, set your Foreground color to null (transparent), Background color to #b64544.


Step 2:
Click on your canvas, hold down your left mouse button and drag out a small circle.

In the Tool Options Palette, set the Radius X and Radius Y to
89.50 as shown in the screenshot below:


In the Layers Palette, double click on the layer and name it ‘Shape’.

Center the shape in your canvas by going up to Objects > Align > Center in canvas.

Duplicate this layer, rename the duplicate 'Circle' and hide the layer by clicking on the 'eye' next to it.


Step 3:
Right click on the 'Shape' layer in the layers palette, select 'convert to raster layer'.
Set your Foreground color to #c76d6d, Background color should still be #b64544.

Selections > Select all - Selections > Float - Selections > Defloat.
Effects > Plugins > MuRa's Meister > Clouds.

Change the amount to 121 as shown below:

FYI:  The cloud effect changes each time you apply this filter, even when
you use the same settings.  With this in mind, clicking on 'reset' colors will
display different cloud effects, just pick one you like.

Selections > Select none.


Step 4:

Effects > 3D effects > Inner bevel.
Apply the following inner bevel:

Bevel #2, 31, 100, 7, 0, 0, white, 315, 30, 55

Adjust > Add/Remove Noise.
Check both Uniform & Monochrome, set Noise to 5%, hit ok.

Effects > Plugins > FM Tile Tools > Blend Emboss.
Leave settings at default, hit ok.

Our faux felt texture is complete!

Feeling Courageous?  Then keep going..........

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We will now create a custom line style, similar to a blanket stitch.
I cannot take credit for this line style technique, I picked it up somewhere along the way.

You may need to adapt our custom stroke if you use a different shape or a different sized circle.

In the Layers Palette, select and unhide the 'Circle' layer.
Duplicate it, name the duplicate layer 'Stitches'.
Grab your Object Select Tool or hit the letter 'o' to activate it.

On your canvas, double click on the ‘Stitches’’ circle to bring up the Vector Property Dialog box.
Uncheck the fill box.
Check the stroke box.  Set the stroke width to 2, color black.

Click on the arrow next to 'Line style' to bring up the list of available styles.
Right click on the 'Dashed' style to select it.
 Click on the custom button at the bottom right of the screen.


In the ‘First Cap’ dialog area, set your start cap to ‘square’.
Set the Cap size to a height of 8, width of 1.
(see screenshots of both of these settings below)





Down in the ‘Style’ section, use the sliders (or plug in the numbers), and change
the Dash length to 23, and the Gap Width to 1. 




Select ‘Save as new’ and give your new line style a name.  I named mine ‘blanket stitch’.

This is what my stitches looked like at this point.


Right click on this layer and select 'Convert to raster layer'.
Go down to your 'Circle' layer.
On your canvas, select the circle using the Object Selection tool.
Selections > From Vector Object.
Selections > Invert.

In the layers palette, go back to your stitches layer and hit the delete key.
(This will delete the stitches that are outside of our circle)

Selections > Select none.

Right click on the 'Circle' layer and delete it.

Apply a slight drop shadow and/or bevel to your stitches, if you like, I used a drop shadow on mine.

You can also add some faux 'stitch holes'.  Just add a new layer, drag it under your stitch layer,
then paint small dark dots under each stitch.

I hope you enjoyed trying this tutorial; I would love to see your results.
Please send them to 'admin at suntiques.com' (sorry, have to fool the spam bots, lol).

~ This tutorial assumes you are familiar with the tools in PSP ~
It was written on August 14, 2008, using PSP 9, but it can be completed in most versions.
Tutorials are only guidelines, it's always fun to experiment with different settings on your own : )