Double Masked Tag

PSP 8

Sometimes the links for filters change, it's difficult (and a lot of work) to
keep changing them on individual pages, so I have created a page with
links to filters and programs that I have used in my tutorials.
That way it is easier for me, because when there are changes I will
only have one page to update and hopefully better for you, because I'm
less likely to miss a page out when doing the updates :)

You will find links to filters/programs used in this tutorial Here
the link will open in a new window

Filters and programs used in this tutorial :-
Paint Shop Pro

Materials :-
A picture of your choice
Masks and gold pattern here (there are a few spare masks,
portrait and landscape style included in the zip file) put the masks
into your masks folder and the patterns in your patterns folder.
You can use your own masks and patterns if you prefer

Images have been made smaller to shorten file size
and in some cases only show part of the image.

Step 1.
Open the picture that you want to use as the central
image in your tag, duplicate it (Ctrl+D) and close the original.
I used a photo I took of my back garden in the snow.
You can minimise your image out of the way for now.

Open a new image 425 X 500 with a white background (this is the size I
used for this tag, but you can experiment with using other sizes)
Go to Layers...New Raster Layer....
Flood fill this layer with a colour, or gradient that will
compliment your image. I used a dark green #293714

Go to Layers...Load/Save Mask...Load Mask from Disk...
Choose the sg_block-n-dot mask
Create mask from - Source luminance
Orientation - Fit to canvas
Options - Hide all mask
Invert transparency = ticked
(if you are using a different mask this may have to be unticked)

Right click on the layer in the layers palette
and choose Merge...Merge Group...

The mask will be merged into the coloured layer and the layer palette
will contain the layers called 'Background' and 'Group-Raster 1'

Step 2.
With this mask the central rectangle where the picture is going to go
is filled (with green). We could put the picture on a layer above it,
but I find it easier to work with the picture below the masked layer,
so we will cut out the solid green centre (some masks will leave
the central area clear, but we will need the selection in the next
step so do this step anyway).
With the Selection Tool
Selection type = Rectangle
Mode = Replace
Feather = 0
Anti-alias = unticked
Starting at one of the corners, drag the selection to the
opposite corner to select the centre rectangle.

Then go to Edit...Cut...(or use the delete key)

Don't deselect yet, we will be using the selection again

Step 3.
Your picture, is unlikely to be the exact size to fit into
the tag, so you will have to do some resizing and trimming.
First let's find out the size your picture needs to be.
The rectangle should still be selected in the middle of the image

Go to Edit...Copy Merged...
(we can't use copy because the area inside the selection on this layer
is empty, using copy merged uses the selected area from all the layers)

Edit...Paste As New Image...
(You should have an image that is the size of your selected rectangle)

Go to Image...Image Information...

In the 'Image' section of the dialog box you will see the dimensions,
this will be the size of the space your picture will go into (yours
may not be exactly the same as mine), make a note of them.
Now that you have the size noted down, thist image can be closed.

Open up your picture
Go to Image...Resize...
The 'All Layers' box should be ticked
Resample using Bicubic
Resize your picture so that it is no smaller than the size you noted
down. It's best make it a few pixels larger, to avoid a gap beween
the picture and the frame. Either the width or the height will be
larger, because your picture is unlikely to be exactly the same shape
as the space it has to fit into, but we can trim any excess off later.

Now that your picture is close to the correct size
Go to Edit...Copy...(your picture can now be closed)
On your masked image make the background layer active, then
go to Edit...Paste As New Layer....

Use the Mover Tool if you want to adjust the position of the picture

If there are any areas around the edge of the picture
this is where we can use the selection to remove them.
First go to Selections...Modify..Expand...1 pixel
(this will make sure there isn't a slight gap at the edges)
then Selections...Invert...
Edit...Cut...(or use the delete key)

Now you can Deselect (Selections...Select None, or Ctrl+D).

Make the top layer (Group Raster 1) active
You can add a small drop shadow if you want to, I didn't think that
worked very well with this mask, so I didn't do that, but if you
use a different mask it might work better, so it's an optional step

Step 4.
I am going to add another masked layer. This is optional, if you
prefer, you can just add your name to the tag and finish there.

Go to Layers...New Raster Layer...

Flood fill with a contrasting colour, gradient or pattern of your choice.
I used a gold pattern (sg_real-gold) which is included in the zip file,
(plus a silver version) you are welcome to use these if you want to.

Go to Layers...Load/Save Mask...Load Mask from Disk...
Choose the sg_cornerhearts mask
Untick the 'invert transparency' box
the other settings are the same as we used previously

Right click on the layer in the layers palette and Merge Group

You can add a drop shadow if you wish. I didn't do this on my title image,
but I did on the example which you can see end of the tutorial.
(Using these settings Effects...3D Effects...Drop Shadow...horizontal
and vertical = 2 Opacity = 50 Blur = 5)

Step 4.
Now you just need to add your text using a font of your choice.
I placed my name diagonally across the large heart
the font I used is called Signature.

I finished by giving my text a drop shadow with these settings
Vertical and Horizontal offsets = 2
Opacity = 50
Blur = 5
Colour = Black

Go to layers...Merge...Merge All...
Resize if neccesary and save as a .jpg

Here is another version using different masks
(I have included these in the materials zip file)

And here is a landscape style version

If you wish to contact me you can find an email address to use included on my Site Map