Let it snow

~ 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 : )