Supplies
This time, we are going to make a forum sized tag, based on the sizes allowed in The Zone.
Supplies needed:
No scrapkit for this one! All you need is an image and a filter or two.
Image of choice – I am using art that is ©Einion Rees, http://einion.deviantart.com. He is a general permission artist, with some really cool vector work!
Font of choice – I am using “Jeffriana.”
Plug-In – Xenofex 2 – A PTU filter, you can substitute PSP built-in tools or other FTU filters…
I am using PSP X2, but this tut should be easy to use in other versions.
This tutorial is written assuming you have a good working knowledge of PSP.
Let's Go!
Open your image of choice, duplicate it using SHIFT+D, and close the original.
Crop your image so that it is horizontally oriented, leave a little room for a border to be added. If it is taller than 250 pixels, resize it to 250 pixels in height. (Be sure that “Lock aspect ratio” is CHECKED.)
Duplicate the image layer and hide the new layer.
Go back to the original layer.
(Optional step – apply Mura’s Filter Meister>Copies, using setting “Wall Paper(Shrink)” or play around with the settings until you get a good mix of colors. This will make the background coloring a little more different from the foreground.)
There are several ways to do the next step.
If you do not have the Xenofex plug in I used, try “Effects>Texture Effects>Mosaic Antique” or “dsb flux>Mosaic Ripple” or “Toadies>Plain Mosaic Blur”
Or you can follow the instructions below for Xenofex –
Apply Xenofex 2> Classic Mosaic, using the setting “Small Tiles.” Optional: Change the color of the grout to something that compliments your image. Save your progress.
Create a new raster layer above your mosaic layer.
On this new layer - Selections>Select All, Selections>Modify>Contract by 5, Selections>Invert. Flood fill with your border color of choice. I used black. Selections>None.
Save.
Unhide and activate your duplicate image layer. Resize it 80% (be sure “Resize all layers” is UNchecked).
Still on that newly resized layer, Selections>Select All, Selections>Float, Selections>Defloat.
Add a new raster layer above this resized layer (should be your top layer).
On the new layer, Selections>Modify>Contract by 5, Selections>Invert. Flood fill with your border color of choice. I used black. Selections>None.
Then, go back to your resized layer - Selections>Select All, Selections>Float, Selections>Defloat. Then Selections>Invert.
Now, go back to your top layer (the one you just flood filled) and hit delete. You should now have a border for your resized image. Selections>None. Save.
Merge your top layer down onto your resized image layer. Add a drop shadow to this newly merged layer. I am using settings 0, 0, 100, 15, color black.
Now add your copyright info and tagger’s mark (if you use one).
Add your name. I am using font “Jeffriana,” size 72, color black (stroke set to null). I added a gradient glow to make the name stand out. Then, I added a drop shadow of 5,5,75,5, but that’s up to you. J
Save and you are done with your tag! (Save as .png to retain best color depth.)
For your avatar – activate your top image layer. Using your selection tool set to square, select an area you would like to use as your avatar.
Edit>Copy, Edit>Paste as new image. Selections>None.
On the selection pasted as a new image - Selections>Select All, Selections>Modify>Contract by 5, Selections>Invert. Flood fill with your border color of choice. I used black. Selections>None.
Then, if your avatar is larger than 150x150, resize it down to that size.
Add your copyright info and your name, save, and you are done!
I would LOVE to see your results! Email them to tutsbyj0eswife@gmail.com
This tutorial was created on