Oakleaf SB Tutorial

By ©LismibaebisCreations
10 April 2008

I have used one of my own photographs for this tutorial

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Knowledge of using Filters and Masks necessary
(or learn how to get started with my ABC Tutorials)

This tutorial is my own creation, any resemblance to another tutorial is purely coincidental

Program shortcuts will be given in parentheses

Needed

Paint Shop Pro - I used X2
(Tutorial will 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

Image
Graphic of choice, ideally with a central focus

Mask
Mask028, available here
or mask of choice

Filter
dsb flux, available here
Mezzoforce "2manekenai(tm)", available here

Performance Notes
This tutorial is in 3 parts:
- Preparation
- Masked Image
- Sideborder

The settings for different Tools and Effects will stay the same throughout the tutorial, unless new setting instructions are given

Don't forget to save your work often

Preparation

1) Download and install filter if necessary

2) Download the mask and save it to a folder you can easily find again

3) File > Open Mask028
Minimize mask

4) File > Open
Open image of choice

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

6) Layers > Promote Background Layer
(If necessary)

7) Dropper Tool (E)
Left click in image to choose a Foreground color
(I chose #cedcbe)
Depending on your graphic, you might choose a light, medium or dark color.
It will dominate your final background result

8) Image > Resize
Settings:
Resample using = Bicubic
Lock aspect ratio = Checked
Resize all layers = Checked
Resolution = 72.000 Pixels / Inch
Width = No greater than 375 Pixels
Height = No greater than 375 Pixels
Write down your new Height

9) Adjust > Sharpness > Unsharp Mask
Settings:
Radius = 10.00
Strength = 20
Clipping = 7
Luminance only = Not checked
(Or a setting of your liking)

10) Window > Duplicate (Shift + D)
Minimize one copy

Masked Image

11) Layers > New Mask Layer > From Image
Settings:
Source window = Mask028
Source luminance = Checked
Invert mask data = Not Checked

12) Edit > Copy Merged
Minimize masked image
Do NOT close

Sideborder

13) Activate spare graphic by clicking on its Title Bar

14) Image > Resize
Settings:
Lock aspect ratio = Not Checked
Width = 1280 Pixels*****
Height = Your new height + 30 Pixels

*****or width of your computer resolution, e.g. 1024 or 1600

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

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

16) Adjust > Blur > Gaussian Blur
Settings:
Radius = 6.50

17) Effects > Plugins > dsb flux > Radical Warp
Settings:
Generator 1 = 31
Generator 2 = 61
Generator 3 = 47
Frequency = 30
Heat = 35
Rotation = 227

18) Effects > Edge Effects > Enhance

19) Effects > Image Effects > Seamless Tiling

20) Effects > Plugins > 2manekenai(tm) > Mezzoforce-Ice
Settings:
Preset = FreezeMeNow
Displ. X = 72, Displ. Y = 255
Ice = 76, Cold = 103
Diffuse = 125, Clear = 27
Embose = 255, Tone = 0
Color = 90

21) Effects > Image Effects > Seamless Tiling

22) Effects > Artistic Effects > Topography
Settings:
Width = 0
Density = 8
Angle = 159
Color = Your Foreground Color

23) Adjust > Softness > Soft Focus
Settings:
Default

24) Effects > Image Effects > Seamless Tiling

25) Layers > New Raster Layer

26) Flood Fill Tool (F)
Settings:
Match mode = None
Use all layers = Not Checked
Blend mode = Normal
Opacity = 100

27) Left click to flood fill new Layer with Foreground Color

28) Layers Palette
Reduce opacity of your layer to a setting of your liking in order to make your background text friendly
(I reduced to 76)

29) Edit > Paste > Paste as New Layer

If your masked image is no longer on the clipboard, go back to it and Edit > Copy Merged

30) Move Tool (M)
Move masked image to the left on your background canvas

31) Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow
Settings:
Horizontal & Vertical = 0
Opacity = 50, Blur = 0.00
Color = Black
Shadow on new layer = Not checked
(Or a setting of your liking)

32) Layers > New Raster Layer

33) Add Watermark(s)

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

You are done!
Now you can assemble the stationery in LC or OE
Please link tutorial to this page

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.