Lily of the Valley SB Tutorial

By: ©LismibaebisCreations
22 August 2005

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Knowledge of using masks and filters necessary
(or learn how to get started on my website)

Please do not script my tutorials
This tutorial is my own creation; any resemblance to another tutorial is purely coincidental

Needed

Paint Shop Pro 9 (Tutorial should also work with other PSP versions, some adjustments might be necessary)
Free 30-day PSP trial from Corel, available here
Letter Creator from Incredimail (optional), available here

Graphic
Graphic of choice
Choose a graphic with a few strong lines rather than small detail

Filters
Xero Filters, available here
You need Sets 1, 3 and 4

Masks
Mask of choice
I used mask 158, available here

Performance Notes
The settings for different Tools remain the same for the whole tutorial, unless different instructions are given

Let's Start

1) Open graphic of choice

2) Window > Duplicate (Shift + D)
Close original

3) Image > Resize
Settings:
Lock aspect ratio = Checked
Resolution = 72.000
Resample using = Bicubic
Width = No greater than 350 pixels
Height = Will adjust itself
Resize all layers = Checked
(My example is 350 x 275)
Write down the height of your resized graphic

4) Dropper Tool (E)
Pick a medium-light to medium Color from your graphic as Foreground and a very dark Color as Background Color
The Foreground Color will be used later to Flood fill and the Background Color will be used for the Drop Shadow and Watermark
(I choose #cfdcad as Foreground and #294c05 as Background Color)

5) Edit > Copy

6) Minimize graphic

7) File > New (Ctrl + N)
Settings:
Width = 1024 pixels
Height = Height of your graphic + 50 pixels
Resolution = 72.000
Raster Background = Checked
Color depth = 16 Million Colors (24 bit)
Transparent = Checked
(My example is: 1024 x 325)

8) Selections > Select All (Ctrl + A)

9) Edit > Paste > Paste Into Selection

10) Selections > Select None (Ctrl + D)

11) Effects > Image Effects > > Seamless Tiling
Settings:
Default Setting

If you click on the icon indicated by the hand, PSP will set it to default

12) Adjust > Blur > Gaussian Blur
Settings:
Radius 10.00

13) Effects > Plugins > Xero > Pastellise
Settings:
Softness = 222, Strength = 3
Colour = Checked

14) Effects > Plugins > Xero > Fritillary
Settings:
Granularity = 5, Aggression = 30
Tesselation = 10, Variation = 0

15) Layers > New Raster Layer

16) Flood Fill Tool (F)
Settings:
Match mode = None
Sample merged = Unchecked
Blend mode = Normal
Opacity = 100

17) Flood fill new layer with Foreground Color

18) Layers Palette
Lower the opacity of Flood fill Layer down to 52
Or a setting if your choice

19) Layers > Merge > Merge Visible

20) Effects > Plugins > Xero > Mistifier
Settings:
Haziness = 128, Strength = 128
Red mist = 128, Green mist = 128
Blue mist = 128

21) Effects > Image Effects > Seamless Tiling
Settings:
Default Setting

22) Minimize this Background tile

23) Maximize the Graphic

24) Layers > Promote Background Layer (if necessary)

25) Layers > Load / Save Mask > Load Mask from Disk
Settings:
Mask of choice
Source luminance = Checked
Fit to Canvas = Checked
Invert transparency = Depends on mask used, you want to be able to see most of the graphic
Hide all Mask = Checked

26) Edit > Copy Merged

27) Minimize the masked Graphic

28) Maximize the Background tile

29) Edit > Paste > Paste as New Layer

30) Move Tool (M)
Move graphic to the left

31) Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow
Settings:
Vertical & Horizontal = -1 (Minus)
Opacity = 75, Blur = 7.00
Color = Click in color and choose your Background Color or black
Shadow on New Layer = Unchecked
Or a Drop Shadow of your choice

32) Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow
Settings:
Vertical & Horizontal = 2
Opacity = 75, Blur = 7.00
Color = Same Color as before
Or a Drop Shadow of your choice

33) Layers > New Raster Layer

34) Add Watermark(s)
If you have a watermark tube, see Step #34a)
If not, follow Step #34b)

34a) Place your tube and continue with Step #36

34b) Text Tool (T)
Create as Vector

35) Layers > Convert to Raster Layer

36) Move Tool
Move text to where you want it

37) Layers Palette
If necessary, reduce opacity of watermark layer

38) File > Export > JPEG Optimizer
Settings:
Compression = 25
Chroma subsampling = YCbCr 1x1 1x1 1x1 (None)
Save Exif data = Not checked

Letter Creator

39) Open Letter Creator

40) Body > Image
Look for the JPEG file
Click on "Tile"
Choose Font and Font Size
Choose Text Color
Choose Link Color
Margin: Top 10, Left 10 - 20 to the right of your graphic, Right 10

41) Footer
Your Name
Reference and link (if available) to graphic used
If appropriate link to mask (some creators wish a link to their website)
Name of tutorial "Lily of the Valley SB Tutorial" and link to this page
Date you created the stat

42) Finish
Choose Letter Name and Collection Name
Save Project
Add to Incredimail

I hope that you enjoyed doing this tutorial. If you have any questions, please email me at Barbara @ Lismibaebi.com.
I would love to see what you create with my tutorial.

A big "Thank You" to the Testers from the Hootyworkshop
Especially (in chronological order) Cal, Chris, Debbie, Gina, Kat, Kathryn, Robin, Roni, Sabrina, Steve, Sue and Vanessa
I apologize if I have forgotten somebody
Your support, help and patience made this possible