Simple Sideborder

By ©LismibaebisCreations
February 2008

I have used one of my own photographs for this tutorial

Skill Level: Beginner
This tutorial is a part of my ABC Tutorials (Tutorials for the Absolute Beginner using PSP)

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
photo_Lismibaebi2005.jpg, available here

Mask
20-20, available here

Texture
LB_texture7, available here

Plugins
Simple Filters, 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

Important

Before you start the tutorial:
Make sure that the "File Location" settings in PSP are set up for Masks, Textures and Plugins.
(Instructions are in ABC Tutorial #7 Organizing PSP "Extras")

Preparation

1) Download (if necessary) the 20-20 mask and save in your Mask Folder

2) Download LB_texture7 and place into your Texture Folder

3) Download photo_Lismibaebi2005.jpg and open in PSP

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

5) Layers > Promote Background Layer

6) Dropper Tool (E)
Left click in image to choose a light color as Foreground Color
(I chose #ffe1fa)
and
Right click in image to choose a light color as Background Color
(I chose #d5fdbb)

7) Image > Resize
Settings:
Resample using = Bicubic
Lock aspect ratio = Checked
Resize all layers = Checked
Resolution = 72.000 Pixels / Inch
Width = 375 pixels
Height = Will self adjust
The new height should be 323 pixels

8) Adjust > Sharpness > Unsharp Mask
Settings:
Radius = 2.00
Strength = 10
Clipping = 5
Luminance only = Not checked

(I usually use this method instead of Adjust > Sharpness > Sharpen)

9) Window > Duplicate (Shift + D)
Minimize one copy for later use

Masked Image

10) Layers > Load/Save Mask > Load Mask from Disk
Settings:
Mask = 20-20
Source luminance = Checked
Fit to canvas = Checked
Invert transparency = Not checked
Hide all mask = Checked
Load

11) Layers > Merge > Merge Group

12) Layers > Load/Save Mask > Load Mask from Disk

Applying the 20-20 mask twice
takes away more of the dark background. It also gives a nicer edge to the finished misted image

13) Layers > Merge > Merge Group

14) Edit > Copy

Do NOT Close

Sideborder

15) Restore Up the spare Graphic

16) Image > Resize
Settings:
Lock aspect ratio = Not Checked
Width = 1280 pixels*****
Height = 353 pixels

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

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

Older PSP Versions:

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

18) Adjust > Blur > Gaussian Blur
Settings:
Radius = 21.50

19) Effects > Plugins > Simple > Diamonds

20) Effects > Plugins > Simple > Left Right Wrap

21) Effects > Plugins > Simple > Half Wrap

22) Effects > Plugins > Simple > Quick Tile

23) Effects > Plugins > Simple > Diamonds

24) Effects > Plugins > Simple > 4 Way Average

25) Effects > Texture Effects > Texture
Settings:
Texture = LB_texture7
Size = 100
Smoothness = 0, Depth = 3
Ambience = 12, Shininess = 10
Color = White, Angle = 315
Intensity = 50, Elevation = 30

If you click on "Preview on Image" (hand is pointing to it), you can see the effect on the image you are working on

26) Layers > New Raster Layer

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

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

29) Layers Palette
Reduce Opacity of Layer to 44
(or a setting of your liking)

30) Layers > New Raster Layer

31) Flood Fill Tool (F)
Right click to flood fill new Layer with Background Color

32) Layers Palette
Reduce Opacity of Layer to 50
(or a setting of your liking)

33) Layers > Merge > Merge Visible

34) Effects > Image Effects > Seamless Tiling

35) Edit > Paste > Paste as New Layer

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

36) Move Tool (M)
Move masked image to the left of your background canvas

37) (Optional)
Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow
Settings:
Horizontal & Vertical = 2
Opacity = 30, Blur = 10.00
Color = Black
Shadow on new layer = Not checked
(Or a setting of your liking)

If you are not happy with the result of the Drop Shadow:
Edit > Undo

38) Layers > New Raster Layer

39) Add Watermark(s)

40) 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 have found this tutorial helpful.
If you have any questions, please email me at: Barbara @ Lismibaebi.com

A special "Thank you" goes to my Tester Group.
Your help, support and patience made this possible