Winter Wonderworld Frame and BG Tutorial

By ©LismibaebisCreations
29 November 2008

Tutorial image courtesy of:
www.beatenbergbilder.ch
Used with written permission

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner & Adventurous Others
Knowledge of using Filters 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 not too colorful and should contain small details, e.g. like the trees in the example above

Filters
AmphiSoft Plugins Pack, available here
(Download free pack)
FM Tiles Tools, Blend Emboss, available here
(Blend Emboss is a working filter in the free to download Demo version)

Performance Notes
This tutorial is in 3 parts:
- Preparation
- Framed Image
- Background

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

Interactive arrow-bookmark.
Click on the arrow and move it anywhere on this page to create a virtual bookmark. It will stay wherever you might put it until you close the browser(tab). Needs IE to work.

Preparation

1) Download and install filters if necessary
(If you install filters you need to restart PSP)

AmphiSoft needs to be installed, click on downloaded file and let it run
Make sure that you direct it to the folder you keep your PSP plugins

2) File > Open
Open image of choice

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

4) Layers > Promote Background Layer
(If necessary)

5) Image > Resize
Settings:
Resample using = Bicubic
Lock aspect ratio = Checked
Resize all layers = Checked
Resolution = 72.000 Pixels / Inch
Width = No greater than 602 Pixels
Height = No greater than 502

6) Adjust > Sharpness > Unsharp Mask
Settings:
Radius = 1.00, Strength = 47
Clipping = 5
Luminance only = Checked
(Or a setting of your liking)

7) Dropper Tool (E)
Left click to choose a light to medium Foreground color
(I chose #a3b6d5)

8) Window > Duplicate (Shift + D)
Minimize copy

Framed Image

9) Selections > Select All

10) Selections > Modify > Contract
Settings:
Number of pixels = 70
Depending on image used you might want to adjust the setting
Write down number if using a different setting

11) Selections > Invert

12) Effects > Plugins > AmphiSoft > Sorting shaman
Settings:
Radius = 4
Square = Checked
Across edges = Not checked
Function = Maximum (Dilate)
Apply mode = Soft light
Soft mixing threshold
Height = 256

13) Effects > Plugins > FM Tile Tools > Blend Emboss
Settings: (Default)
Horiz. Offset = -1.000
Vert. Offset = -1.000
Intensity = 0.250, Gray Level = 64
Red Blend = 0.938, Green Blend = 0.938
Blue Blend = 0.938, Edge Wrap = Checked

14) Edit > Repeat Blend Emboss

15) Selections > Select All

16) Selections > Modify > Contract
Settings:
Number of pixels = 2

17) Image > Crop to Selection

18) Selections > Select All

19) Selections > Modify > Contract
Settings:
Number of pixels = 68
If you used a Setting other than 70 in Step #10, adjust it by deducting 2 from your Setting

20) Selections > Invert

21) Effects > 3D Effects > Inner Bevel
Settings:
Bevel = #2, Width = 20
Smoothness = 10, Depth = 6
Ambience = 3, Shininess = 10
Color = White, Angle = 315
Intensity = 32, Elevation = 50

22) Selections > Invert

23) Layers > New Raster Layer

24) Effects > 3D Effects > Cutout
Settings:
Vertical & Horizontal = 0
Opacity = 45, Blur = 20.00
Color = Black
Fill interior with color = Not checked
(Or a setting of your liking)

25) Image > Add Borders
Settings:
Size in pixels = 1
Color = Black

26) Selections > Select None

27) Raster > New Raster Layer

28) Add Watermark(s)

29) File > Export > JPEG Optimizer
Settings:
Set compression value to = 20
Chroma subsampling = YCbCr 1x1 1x1 1x1 (None)
Save Exif data = Not checked

Background

30) Maximize copy of image

31) Image > Resize
Settings:
Width = No greater than 300 Pixels
Height = No greater than 300

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

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

33) Effects > Plugins > AmphiSoft > Sorting shaman
Settings:
Apply mode = Normal

34) Effects > Plugins > AmphiSoft > Sorting shaman
Settings:
Apply mode = Soft light

35) Effects > Edge Effects > Enhance

36) Effects > Image Effects > Seamless Tiling

37) Layers > New Raster Layer

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

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

40) Layers Palette
Settings:
Blend mode = Soft Light

41 Layers > Duplicate

42) Layers Palette
Settings:
Blend mode = Normal
And
Reduce opacity of your layer to a setting of your liking in order to make your background text friendly
(I reduced to 78)

43) File > Export > JPEG Optimizer

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

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