Slice Web Images Using Paint Shop Pro’s Image Slicer Command

08/01/2010 by admin.

This tutorial demonstrates how to slice web images into smaller sections using Paint Shop Pro’s Image Slicer command. Once saved, you can either save sliced images to a folder on your hard drive, so you can use or edit them in an HTML editor such as Dreamweaver, or Golive.  Alternatively, you can save image slice settings to the Clipboard, then navigate to where the destination HTML code is stored; open your code, then paste them directly into it.

(I explain how Image Maps and Rollovers are created at the end of this Image Slicer tutorial).

Create Glossy Navigation Buttons, 49 On-line Paint Shop Pro Tutorials

1/
To begin, open your completed web image onto Paint Shop Pro’s workspace.  (Your Layers don’t have to be flattened).

Image Slicer Note
Using the Image Slicer, you can create a table from the image, saving the location of each sliced section as a region in the table, and generating the HTML code for the column and cells. You can then copy this code into your source files so that the image can be reassembled when the user downloads the web page.

2/
Now, from the top menu, choose File then choose Export then choose Image Slicer.  You will then see the following Image Slicer dialogue box.

To slice up your image; left-click the Grid tab highlighted above.  Then left-click over your image, (in the Image Slicer’s Preview Pane): and you will see the following tiny grid icon.

After left-clicking: the following Grid Size dialogue box will appear.  The Grid and Columns can then be altered to suit your slicing needs.  Alternatively, if you are happy with the default Rows and Columns, click OK.

After clicking OK, a slicing-grid will then be applied to your image, as illustrated below.

Tip
You can reposition the grid-lines by clicking the following Arrow Tool, then dragging the lines to new positions.

Alternatively, you can click the Slicer Tool to manually add lines, rows and columns.

Tip
Clicking over a line with the Eraser Tool removes unwanted grid-lines.

 

Now, from the subsequent Slice Options dialogue box, give each slice a unique name, and don’t forget to add an Alt Tag, so that your visitors can read about the image before it completely loads.

Note
When entering a name for your slices, don’t use capital letters or special characters.  In addition, if you are leaving spaces, remember to underscore them _ (as illustrated below).

3/ Save your Sliced Image
Now you have created your rectangular slices, it’s time to save them.  Saving your slices exports them (individually) to a destination of your choice for example My Documents - where they can be utilised in your HTML editor, in your usual manner.

To save your sliced image, click the following Save As tab.

  Now, enter a name in the subsequent Save As dialogue box, then click Save.

Tip
You may find it easier if you Copy and Paste the Slices and HTM page into a New Folder.

Exporting your Slices via the Clipboard
Save the HTML code to the Clipboard by clicking the following Save To Clipboard tab.

Then navigate to where the destination HTML code is stored, open your code and press Ctrl and P to paste in.

Using an HTML Editor
Alternatively, your slices’ URLs can be assigned in an HTML editor, for example Dreamweaver or Golive, in your usual way.

(My Optimise and Save Images tutorials demonstrate how to optimise images for the web).

Optimisation Tip
Always save plain text graphics and images that have a low colour-count as Gifs: and save photographs or complex graphics with a high colour-count, as Jpegs.

Rollover Notes
A rollover is an image or section of an image that changes appearance when the user activates it. Web designers frequently create rollovers for the buttons of a navigation bar. When a user clicks a button, the browser displays the linked web page (or file), and the rollover area displays a different button. You can assign a rollover to an image that is sliced and mapped by choosing an image file that will appear when the user performs a specific mouse action. To create a rollover, first create your rollover image: often, this second image is a duplicate of the original; - however, it is modified to appear differently when the mouse rolls over the original. Now, take one of the following steps: Choose File then choose Export then choose Image Mapper. (Alternatively, choose File then choose Export then choose Image Slicer).  If necessary, navigate to an image region, and use the appropriate Tool, (for example, the Polygon, Circle or Rectangle Tool), to specify the region where you want to add a rollover.  Now, click Rollover Creator and the Rollover dialogue box will appear. Then mark the Mouse over, Mouse out, Mouse click, Mouse Double Click, Mouse up, Mouse down  boxes.  Click the Open tab and the Select Rollover dialogue will appear.  Now, navigate to and activate the graphics file you want to use.  (If you do not select a file, the original will be used).  Click Open.  Then from the subsequent Rollover Creator dialogue box, the file path will appear in the box beside the tick box.  Now, click Close to return to the Image Mapper (or Image Slicer) dialogue box. You can then preview your work in a browser by clicking the Preview button.

Image Mapping Notes
An image map is a graphic that contains a mapped area (called a region or hotspot), that links to a URL. The cell can be a circle, rectangle, or irregular shape. When you move the mouse over the cell, the cursor changes to a hand indicating that you can click that area to jump to another web page.

Creating Map Areas
You create and edit map areas with the Tool in the Tools group box of the Image Mapper dialogue box, then assigning map area properties.  After you have created the map areas (or regions), you can assign URLs, alternative text, and targets.

Saving Image Maps
You can save image maps to a folder on your hard drive so you can use or edit them. You can also save map settings to the
Clipboard and then paste them into the HTML code. When you save the map settings, you save the map area arrangement and the information you typed in the Image Mapper dialog box. You can then reload them into the same image, or use the settings with a different image.

Setting Image Map Preferences
After you have created the map areas (or regions), you can assign URLs, alternate text, and targets.
1. Choose File then choose Export Image Mapper. The Image Mapper dialogue box then appears.
2. Now, choose one of the following Tools, and draw in the preview window to create a hotspot:
• Rectangle Tool — drag the cursor to enclose a square or rectangular-shaped hotspot area.
• Circle Tool — drag the cursor to enclose a circular or elliptical hotspot area.
• Polygon Tool — click to set the starting point and continue moving the cursor and clicking to enclose an
irregular-shaped hotspot area. Double-left-click to complete the polygon.
3. In the URL drop-list, type the address of the web page to which you want to link.
If you want to select addresses already used in the image, click the arrow in the box and select the address you want from the URL drop-down list.
If you do not want to link to a web page, type #.
4. In the Alt text box, type the text that appears if the image does not load or if the user has images disabled in the Web browser.
5. Choose one of the following target frame options from the Target drop-list:
• _blank — loads the linked page in a new browser window
• _parent — loads the linked page in the parent frame set of the link. If the link is not in a nested frame, the image loads in the full browser window.
• _self — loads the linked page in the same frame as the link.
• _top — loads the linked page in the full browser window and removes all frame.
6. Click Save. The HTML Save As dialogue box will appear.
7. Navigate to the folder where you want to save the HTML code, then click Save.
The Image Map Save As dialogue box will appear.
8. Now, navigate to the folder where you want to save the image and click Save.

Wendi E. M. Scarth.  (8th January 2010).

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How to Curve or Warp Text: Paint Shop Pro Tutorial

01/01/2010 by admin.

 

This tutorial demonstrates how to warp text using Paint Shop Pro.  I am demonstrating this technique using Paint Shop Pro X2 Photo, therefore, some of the Tools and Filters may differ (or be missing) from earlier Paint Shop Pro versions.

To begin, onto an open canvas, apply the text of your choice.  (Ensure Create as is set to Floating, and remember to leave plenty of room for the subsequent displacement).

Then drag your text to a central position.

(Press Ctrl then tap the D key to remove the text’s Selection Marquee).

Note
If you are applying a Drop Shadow to your text, then do so now: Effects then 3D Effects.

Tip
To quickly navigate through a Filter’s numerical value: first highlight the numerical value with your mouse, as illustrated below.

Then immediately (whilst the text remains highlighted) tap either the top-facing or bottom-facing Keyboard Arrow Keys: this increases (or decreases) the values - one digit at a time.

Sharpening Tip
After warping text, always finish by applying a Sharpening Filter to it. (Effects/Image then Sharpen/Sharpness).

Paint Shop Pro’s Warping Tools
There are many different ways of warping text: for example, you can utilise the Warp Brush Tool, the Mesh Warp Tool or the Deformation/Deform or Pick Tool - as illustrated below.

Warp Brush Tool

Mesh Warp Tool

My PDF Tutorials here demonstrate how to utilise Paint Shop Pro’s Warp Brush Tool, Mesh Warp Tool and Deformation/Deform/Pick Tool.  Alternatively, you can utilise one of Paint Shop Pro’s Distortion Filters: for example, Polar Coordinates, Ripple, Twirl, Warp and Wave.  Alternative Filters that are good for warping text are (from the Geometric Effects): Cylinder Vertical, Pentagon, Perspective Horizontal, Perspective Vertical and Skew. However, for personal results, always experiment with the Tools and Filters I have already mentioned: and remember, there is nothing stopping you from implementing more than one Tool or Filter at a time.  In fact, playing with different Filters and Tools will build the effect, so producing better (and personalised) text warps.

(My on-line Paint Shop Pro Tutorial Here demonstrates how to perspectively warp text along an object).

(My on-line Paint Shop Pro Tutorial Here demonstrates how to snap text along a hand drawn Bezier Curve).

Distortion Effects (Filters)

An interesting warping filter is Curlicues: (Effects then Distortion Effects). For my example, I chose the following settings.

Randomise Tip
For personal results, always experiment with your chosen filter’s settings, especially the Randomise Parameters (dice icon).

To apply a different warp, revert your image to its un-warped state by clicking the top menu’s Undo Arrow.

Then continue to play with different warping Tools or Filters. The following screen captures demonstrate different ways of utilising Paint Shop Pro’s “warping” Filters and, as always, experiment with the settings until you find a look you like: not forgetting to play with the Randomise Parameters (dice).

Polar (Distortion) Coordinates

Ripple (Distortion) Filter

Warp (Distortion) Filter

 

Wave (Distortion) Filter

Geometric Effects Filters

Cylinder Vertical (Geometric)

Pentagon Filter (Geometric)

Perspective Horizontal (Geometric)

Perspective Vertical (Geometric)

Skew (Geometric)

Spherise (Geometric)

 

My PDF tutorials here demonstrate how to warp text around spherical-shaped objects.

Note
Although not a warping tool as such, the Feedback Filter (Reflection Effects) as you can see below, can produce interesting results.

Now you are more familiar with the Warping Tools, Commands and Filters  that Paint Shop Pro offers, you can have lots of fun creating uniquely warped text.

My Paint Shop Pro PDF Tutorials Here demonstarte how to snap text around a circular path.

Best Wishes and a Happy New Year.

Wendi E. M. Scarth.  (1st January 2010).

 

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Eye-catching Gradient Avatars: Paint Shop Pro & Photoshop Mini Tutorial

09/12/2009 by admin.

Paint Shop Pro Examples 

Photoshop Examples 

Filling a transparent image with a Gradient can create eye-caching forum and message board avatars.  To begin, open a New Transparent Document onto Paint Shop Pro’s or Adobe Photoshop’s workspace, ensuring it measures 100 Pixels X 100 Pixels: or select a document size that suits your needs.

Paint Shop Pro students, set the Colour/Materials Palette Foreground Swatch to a Gradient of your choice (Metallic Gradients work well).  And experimenting with different Gradient Styles, Angles and Repeats, find a Gradient that you like the look of.  (I selected a Paint Shop Pro Gradient called Metallic Silver and I set the Style to Sunburst). Then from the left-side Tools Toolbar, activate the Flood Fill Tool, then left-click over your Transparent Canvas to fill it with your Gradient choice.

Congratulations, your Gradient Avatar is ready to save and upload to a message board or forum, in your usual manner.

 

Photoshop Students
From the left-side Tools Toolbar, activate the Gradient Tool.

And from the Gradient Tools Options Palette, select a Gradient of your choice. (Metallic Gradients work well).

Then left-click and stretch a Gradient Line across your Transparent Canvas.

(For personal results, experiment with different Gradients and stretch the Gradient Line in the direction of your choice).

Congratulations, your Gradient Avatar is ready to save and upload to a message board or forum, in your usual manner.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Wendi E M Scarth. (9th December 2009). 

 

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Paint Mist Using The Paint Brush Tool - Photoshop & Paint Shop Pro Mini Tutorial

22/10/2009 by admin.

First, open your choice of Start Image onto Paint Shop Pro 7, 8, 9, X, XI, X2 Photo (Ultimate’s) or Photoshop CS, CS2, CS3, CS4, (Extended’s) workspace.  Then activate the Paint Brush/Brush Tool; and choose a Hard Round Brush.  Now, set the Colour/Materials Palette’s, Foreground Swatch to Solid White.  Then (onto a New Transparent Layer), paint daubs of white paint over the area you would like your mist to be placed.

(For personal results, experiment with different Brush Tips, Opacities and Sizes).

Now, from the top menu, choose Adjust/Blur/Motion Blur - Filter/Blur/Motion Blur.  Then blur your white paint daubs by changing the Motions Blur’s Angle and Distance/Strength to suit your photograph’s Resolution and requirements.  (I am using a photograph that measures 3000 pixels X 2000 Pixels).  Working with Photoshop CS4, I set an Angle of 11 and a Distance of 678.  Now, activate the Gaussian Blur command, and again, select settings that are suitable for your photograph’s needs. I chose a Gaussian Blur Radius of 18.

Now, intensify your mist by right-clicking the Mist Layer and choosing Duplicate Layer from the subsequent drop-down list.  Then further blur your mist by applying a second Gaussian Blur.

Note
For personal results, experiment with different Blur Commands, Layer Opacities, and Layer Blending Modes.

(The Radial Blur command produces soft blurs).

Tip
Using the Eraser Tool and setting a Soft Round Brush, remove any area of mist so to reveal any foliage; for example, water plants that might be peeping out of the mist.

When you are completely happy with your mist, Flatten the Layers and save your work.

Best Wishes.

Wendi E M Scarth.  22 October 2009.

 

 

 

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Paint Away Colour (Colour-popping) - Photoshop & Paint Shop Pro Mini Tutorial

21/08/2009 by admin.

Painting away colour, AKA Colour Popping, is a popular technique that can produce interesting results: in this mini tutorial, I will demonstrate how to remove colour using Paint Shop Pro and Photoshop’s Paint Brush Tool.

To begin, open your choice of Start Image onto Paint Shop Pro or Photoshop’s workspace.

Important
Set Paint Shop Pro and Photoshop’s Foreground Swatch to Solid Black and set the Background Swatch to Solid White.

 

(Photoshop students, press your D Key).

Paint Shop Pro 7 Only
From the left-side Tools Toolbar, activate the Paint Brush Tool .

Then create a New Raster Layer - Layers then New Raster Layer.  Now, change the New Layer’s Blending Mode from Normal to Colour - as illustrated below.

And enter the following settings into Paint Shop Pro 7’s Tool Options Palette.

Paint Shop Pro 8, 9, X, XI, X2 Photo And Photoshop CS, CS2, CS3, CS4 (Extended)

From the left-side Tools Toolbar, activate the Paint-Brush Tool.

Then from the Tool Options Bar, select a small round (hard) brush; and enter the following Colour Blending Mode settings. (Blending Modes Paint Shop Pro - Blending Modes Photoshop).

Paint Shop Pro 8, 9, X, XI, X2 Photo

Photoshop CS, CS2, CS3, CS4 (Extended)

Now, Paint Shop Pro 7, 8, 9, X, XI, X2, Photo and Photoshop CS, CS2, CS3, CS4 (Extended): if you apply your Paint Brush over the Start Image, you will notice the Brush is painting away your photograph’s colour.  This is because you have changed the Paint-Brush Tool’s Blending Mode from Normal to Colour.

Now you are familiar with this popular technique, you can have lots of fun colour-popping your favourite images.

The following examples show some of my colour-popping artwork.

Best Wishes.

Wendi E M Scarth.  (21st August 2009).

 

 

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Custom Selections - Photoshop And Paint Shop Pro Tips

15/08/2009 by admin.

Made To Measure Selections Photoshop CS, CS2 CS3, CS4 (Extended)

First, activate your choice of Selection Tool.

Then from the Tool Options Bar, click open the Style menu, and change it from Normal to Fixed Size.

Then type numerical values into the Width and Height boxes.

Now, draw out a Selection Marquee, and it will be constrained within your specified Width and Height dimensions.

Made To Measure Selections Paint Shop Pro 7, 8, 9, X, XI, X2, Photo
First, Paint Shop Pro 7 only - (newer versions please continue further down page) - left-click to activate the Selection Tool.  Then draw out a Selection Marquee.

Then double-left-click the Selection Tool.  Double-left-clicking the Selection Tool displays the following Select Area dialogue box.  Now, enter specific values into the Left, Right, Top, Bottom boxes, and then click OK.

After clicking OK, your Selection Marquee will automatically change to represent your specified dimensions.

Paint Shop Pro 8, 9, X, XI, X2 Photo: activate the Selection Tool - and draw out a Selection Marquee.

Then from the Tool’ Options Bar, click the following Custom Selection tab.

Clicking the Custom Selection tab displays the following Custom Selection dialogue box.

Now, enter specific values into the Left, Top, Right, Bottom boxes, and then click OK.  Your Selection Marquee will automatically change to represent your specified dimensions.

Best Wishes.

Wendi E M Scarth.  (15th August 2009).

 

 

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