 DoobyPremium
join:2001-05-08
The Boonies
kudos:2
2 edits | Paint Shop Pro7 Transparency Layers Tutorial What you need to do, is to learn how to use layers which incorporate transparencies.
Here is a quick tutorial.
NOTE: The following tutorial is just one example of how to use transparency layers. There are other ways of achieving the same results.
The examples I am using to demonstrate the use of transparency layers are more complex than the average avatar. The backgrounds are highly varying in color and therefore harder to remove.
Start:
1) In this example, I wish to add an air balloon to the landscape shown below.
2) Firstly, we need to concentrate on the balloon. We want to be able to paste the balloon into the landscape without the background of the picture appearing in the landscape.
Open the picture of the balloon in PSP. Notice the dimensions of the picture in the bottom right hand corner of the window. In this case the picture is 80 x 75 pixels.
Now we need to open a transparency of the same dimensions.
3) Go to 'File'.. and click on 'New'.
In the 'New Image' window that appears, enter the dimensions exactly the same as they are in the balloon picture (80 x 75) and make sure the 'background color' is 'transparent'. Shown below.
Click 'OK'.
4) Now you should have two pictures open, the balloon picture and a transparency of the same size. What we need to do now, is to paste the picture of the balloon on top of the transparency.
Highlight the balloon picture and goto 'Edit'..'Copy' (or press Ctrl-C).
Then highlight the transparency and goto 'Edit'..'Paste ->As New Layer' (or Ctrl-L).
What this does, is create a new layer (balloon picture) on top of the transparency. You can now close the original balloon picture, as we will now work with the layered version. You can see this, by going to 'Layers' in the menu bar. From there you can see that 'Layer2' is the one with the balloon. This is the layer we will now work on.
5) What we need to do now is to remove the background from the balloon. Because the background is of varying colors, it is a little trickier to remove than a solid color.
Using the 'Zoom' tool, zoom in to the picture to allow for a better viewing and working area. In this case a zoom factor of 4:1 will be sufficient.
Next select the 'Magic Wand' tool and in the 'Tool Options' box, adjust the 'Tolerance' to about 25. The tolerance setting governs what range of varying coloration the boundary can cross. Practice this yourself to see how the tolerance affects the boundaries.
Once the tolerance level is entered, click on the background with the wand. Adjust the tolerance levels to suit your picture. What you are trying to achieve is to have the boundary cover the background but NOT touch the balloon. Shown below.
Once you have a boundary selected, press delete on your keyboard. What you should see now, is the transparency as your background.
Continue to delete as much as possible using the 'Magic Wand' tool.
6) Once you have deleted a large portion of the background, click on the 'Eraser' tool, and make sure the eraser 'Size' is one pixel in the 'Tools Option' box.
You can now go throughout your picture and erase any stray pixels. You can also go around the balloon and touch up the edges.
Now you picture is ready to be placed in the landscape. Zoom out to a ratio of 1:1.
7) Open the landscape picture now, so that you have the two pictures open as below.
This is a good time to observe the two pictures. Notice how the light in the landscape comes in from the right, and the light in the balloon picture comes from the left.
Highlight the balloon picture and then goto 'Image'.. and click on 'Mirror'. This will turn your picture so that the light on the balloon is coming from the right.
8) The balloon picture should still be highlighted, so goto 'Edit'..'Copy' (or press Ctrl-C).
Then highlight the landscape and goto 'Edit'..'Paste ->As New Selection' (or Ctrl-E).
There should now be a 'floating' image of the balloon in the landscape. Place the balloon in the desired area and click to place it.
9) You have now finished your picture. Press 'Undo' at any time throughout if you wish to redo anything.
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I hope this has been informative.. please post back if you need any help.
Doobs 
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"I think I've had ti many Martooni's.." - James Garner
[text was edited by author 2001-11-30 09:57:27]
[text was edited by moderator] |
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 PathfinderDazed ConfusedPremium
join:2000-03-26
Mount Vernon, NY | Re: Paint Shop Pro7 That is a great tutorial. So simple even an idiot like me can do it. I'll try fooling some more with it when I get home.
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With their hearts they turned to each other's hearts for refuge |
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 LasrXHomework Crunch
join:1999-12-23
San Jose, CA | reply to Dooby
Dooby I got a few questions about your tutorial.
Why is your transparency layer green? I like it, how do I change mine? If I want to take it to the next step, what is the best way to soften the edge of the ballon w/o causing too much blur? Another question, if I want to add another layer of fog over the balloon how would I generate realistic looking fog? |
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 FatJackPremium
join:2001-06-26
Barnwell, SC | reply to Dooby
Dooby, I really enjoyed your tutorial. It was great.
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When all else fails, read the directions |
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Avatar/Graphics Help
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Not Dooby, but I used the retouch tool set to "smudge" and decreased the opacity a little. Then I added another layer, and added clouds with the picture tube tool. Then I used the transparency slider for that layer...I set it at about 20% but you can just play with it to see how you like it. Then I used the retouch/smudge tool again to blend the edges of the clouds.
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DoobyPremium
join:2001-05-08
The Boonies
kudos:2 | reply to LasrX
Hi Build 2600
To change the transparency layer to green (or any other color) do the following:
1) Go to 'File..Preferences'. Select the 'General Program Preferences' and click on the 'Transparency' tab. Shown below.
There are set schemes you can choose or design your own by clicking on the two colors. I find this very helpful when working with transparencies because sometimes the color of the picture matches the transparency background and it is hard to see where it is transparent in places.
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In answer to you second question:
There are many ways to soften the edges of a picture, and one of those ways is shown by tiggerstales above. It depends on what is needed at the time and what the size and resolution of the picture is.
Here is my way:
1) On your picture of the balloon, use the 'Freehand' tool to circle an area that you wish to soften. Note that by circling an area, the rest of the picture will be unaffected by any changes.
2) Go to 'Effects.... Blur' and click on 'Soften' or 'Soften More' depending on your requirements. Shown below.
Once clicked, the area inside the boundary will change.
NOTE: This method can be applied to other effects also, where the user only wishes to apply an effect to a certain area.
Hope this helps
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"I think I've had ti many Martooni's.." - James Garner |
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 jeffsulPremium
join:2001-05-15
Mobile, AL | reply to Dooby
This is another great tutorial that deserves to be at the top of the page. Great job Dooby and tiggerstales, with these even a widdle piglet can learn a few tricks.
Thanks for taking the time to help others.
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Lord give me patience, but please hurry! |
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