Waxy Sideborder Tutorial

By: ©LismibaebisCreations
15 July 2005

I have used a photograph by SunsetFL for this tutorial and thank Bev for her kind permission

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

Filters
DSB Flux Filter, available here
Unzip file and save to your Filters Folder

Masks
Mask of choice
I used Mask 193, 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 = No greater than 420 pixels
Resize all layers = Checked
(My example is 350 x 262)
Write down the height of your resized graphic

4) Adjust > Sharpness > Sharpen
(if necessary)

5) Dropper Tool (E)
Pick a very light Color from your graphic as Foreground and a dark Color as Background Color
The Background color is for the watermark. If you use a tube to make your watermark, you don't need to select a Background color
(I choose #e9e2d7 and #766656)

6) Window > Duplicate
(We now have 2 resized copies)
Minimize one of the images

7) Layers > Promote Background Layer
(if necessary)

8) 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

9) Edit > Copy Merged

10) Minimize image with mask applied

11) Maximize other image

12) Image > Resize
Settings:
Lock aspect ratio = Not Checked
Width = 1024*****
Height = Height of your image + 30 pixels
(My example is 1024 x 292 pixels)

***** or width of your computer resolution, e.g. 1280 or 1600

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

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

14) Adjust > Blur > Gaussian Blur
Settings:
Radius = 15.00

15) Effects > Plugins > dsb flux > Mosaic Ripple
Settings:
Mosaic = 65, Pull = 228

16) Effects > Distortion Effects > Wind
Settings:
From left = Checked
Wind strength = 100

Important

Materials Palette
It is absolutely essential that you have a very light color as Foreground Color before you do the next step

17) Effects > Artistic Effects > Hot Wax Coating

18) Layers > New Raster Layer
Settings
Name = floodfill, Blend mode = Normal
Opacity = 100, Link set = 0
Highlight in layers palette = Not Checked
Layer is visible = Checked
Lock transparency = Not Checked

19) Edit > Paste > Paste as New Layer

20) Layers Palette
Right click on new layer and rename it as "Mask"

21) Move Tool (M)
Move your image with applied mask to the left side of your background tile

22) Layers Palette
Activate Layer called "floodfill"

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

24) Flood fill the layer with your Foreground color or you might wish to choose another complimentary color to use instead
(I used #ddf68)

25) Layers Palette
Lower opacity of "floodfill" Layer to 50 or whichever looks best for you

26) Activate layer called "Mask"

27) Effects > 3 D Effects > Drop Shadow
Settings:
Vertical & Horizontal = 2
Opacity = 80, Blur = 5.00
Color = Black
Shadow on New Layer = Unchecked
Or Settings of your choice

28) Layers Palette
Turn off visibility of "Mask" layer

29) Layers Palette
Activate "floodfill" layer

30) Layers > Merge > Merge Visible

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

32) Layers Palette
Turn visibility on "Mask" layer back on

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 "Waxy 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, Gina, Kat, Linda, Lucky, Marcee, Rita, Robin, Roni, Sabrina, Sandy, Sheila, Sherri and Steve
I apologize if I have forgotten somebody
Your support, help and patience made this possible