 rjkrashPremium
join:2001-12-27
Marietta, GA | Fading Edge Mask with Gradient - PSP7 Tutorial Fading Edge Mask with Gradient - PSP7
There must be a dozen ways to create this effect. I choose this way because in the end you have a greater amount of control over how the image looks in the end.
This tutorial assumes that you are a beginner to intermediate user of PSP. I show some of the menus and dialog boxes but sometimes just write out the commands you should issue. After completing the tutorial go back and try different settings at the key points (Gradient setup, Blur Effect, Eraser tool) to see the control you have with this method. Also don't be afraid to use the help facility in PSP, particularly to explain just what some of the settings you are changing are doing. Once you know what things (e.g. Hardness, Density and Opacity) mean you can really get cool with this program.
By all means have fun and if you have questions post back and I'll try to assist.
What we are trying to make:
Original:
1. Load original image into Paint Shop Pro.
2. Save Original as a PSP file.
3. Make sure image color depth is 16 Million (24 bit). This image already was but be sure to check. And Promote to a Layer
4. Create a mask that will eventually create the edge fade.
Set foreground color to white
Set background color to black
Create a new mask - from the Mask Menu
5. Get to Edit Mask mode
6. Here we are going to setup the gradient that will become the mask.
Click on the flood fill tool (bucket pouring paint in the tool bar on left)
Now go to the Styles palette and click on the little black right pointing arrow of the Foreground (white) color
choose the Gradient style button
A Gradient Dialog box will pop up
The First thing to do is choose the "#1 Foreground Background" gradient
by clicking on the dropdown arrow and then choosing the upper left most gradient (when you click on the gradient it is chosen)
Now still on the Gradient dialogue box go to the Styles area and choose the Rectangular style button
Click in the sample of the gradient on the cross hairs and drag up (the cursor should change to the crossed arrow icon). We are doing this so that when the mask is invoked the most important part of the image (the eyes in this case) is the 'focus" of the fade.
 ">
7. Flood fill the image by clicking on it and you image should look something like this:
 ">
8. Now apply some Gaussian blur to the image from the Effects menu | Blur | Gaussian Blur ...
Set the blur radius to about 15.00 This is up to you, look at the preview windows to see the effect this setting has. When satisfied click OK to apply the blur.
 ">
9. Next lets expose a little more of the face by erasing part of the mask
Choose the Eraser tool
In the Tool Option Dialog Box
Set Size, Hardness, Density and Opacity settings to the values indicated
Right Mouse Button Click and Drag, release the mouse button, reposition the Eraser and Right Click and drag, release ... As you Right Click and Drag you are erasing part of the Mask. Do this until you have erased enough of the mask and have "exposed” enough of the underlying image to your satisfaction. Note that when erasing you are "painting with transparency" using the brush style. That is why we used the Right mouse button rather than the Left. The left button used the Foreground Style (which is a Gradient) and the right uses the Background Style (which is a Solid).
Your Image should look something like the second one below:
 ">
 ">
10. Create a new Layer and flood fill the layer with the Background Color
Layers Menu | New Raster Layer
Choosing the FloodFill Tool and
Right Click on the image.
 ">
OHMYGOSH it covered everything in BLACK!  Not to worry...
 ">
11. Go back to the Layers Menu | Arrange | Move Down
and you should get an image like this:
 ">
Notice how blotchy the image looks?
12. To fix the blotchiness lets apply some more Gaussian Blur to the Mask
From the Layers Menu | Layer 1
From the Mask Menu | Edit Mask
From The Effects Menu | Blur | Gaussian Blur...
On the Gaussian Blur Dialog box just click OK to accept the settings you had before choose new settings and look at the sample till you are happy the click OK
Your image should look like this:
 ">
13. You can change the look by changing the fill of Layer 2
From the Layers Menu | Layer 2
Change the Background color
FloodFIll the Layer
 ">
 ">
14. Save it by doing a Save Copy As
File Menu | Save Copy As
Save as type JEPG so you can post and we can see what you have done
 ">
15. Then File Menu | Save to save the .psp file.
Hope your image resembles this one:
Hope you enjoyed! |
|
 seaquakePremium,MVM
join:2001-03-23
Millersville, MD
 ·Verizon FiOS
| Since my question prompted this tutorial, I'll be the first to publicly say thank you! You've just saved us most likely hours of figuring out how to do this on our own.
--
"Are you on the Distributed Computing Map?" |
|
| reply to rjkrash
Excellent tutorial. I went with some colors I felt complimented her skin color. I also used an extra layer on the 2nd one to add more color and blend color toward the center more. I liked opening up the mask a bit more then you did but what a fantastic tutorial, as it gave not only the basics but showed me were I could make changes that my eye enjoyed!!! Thank you 100 times!!!!
--
thegrinch "the price of mortality is death." |
|
 RygelLearn How To Use ReplyPremium
join:2001-11-17
Moira, NY | reply to rjkrash
Funny, Bert Munroy just demonstarted something similar for Photoshop on The Screensavers on Techtv. |
|
 NightwingThis is it boys,this is warPremium
join:2002-04-08
CT | reply to rjkrash
I gave it a try. I need some more work, I guess you pros have got a fine touch with the brushes and stuff. I really appreciate the way you guys and gals do these tutorials for us newbies. I learn so much everytime I visit this forum.
--
The only time the world beats a path to your door is when you're in the bathroom. |
|
| Actually your looking really good! That picture was darker to start with so the effect is less but looks like you got the idea. Good job.
--
thegrinch "the price of mortality is death." |
|
NightwingThis is it boys,this is warPremium
join:2002-04-08
CT | Thanks for the positive comments. I guess all I can say is practice, practice practice. LOL. Oh, and Jewel is a babe.
--
The only time the world beats a path to your door is when you're in the bathroom. |
|
 GarbsMudhole? Slimy? My home this is.Premium,MVM
join:2002-08-27
Garden State | said by Nightwing:
Oh, and Jewel is a babe.
And so is Aniston, whew!!
--
Experience is not what happens to a man. It is what a man does with what happens to him.--Aldous Huxley |
|
