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I will assume that you don't have any mask templates, so, to make a mask template:
1. Open the image you want to 'frame'
2. By hand, using the 'freehand' tool (the lassoo) cut a ragged shape around the picture... be guided by the shape of the image..
3. go to Selections click 'invert'. Now there should be 2 rows of dashes, one around the edge of the graphic, and one around your cutting
Click on Layers/new/ok (you won't see anything happen, the layer is transparent)
5. click on the bucket tool. (Check in the control box that the opacity is set to 100) If the control box isn't on your desktop, open it by clicking on View/toolbars/check the controls box. click ok.
5. Flood fill the selected area black.
(it has to be black for the mask to work)
6. Edit/copy merged/paste as new image.
This is now your new mask. You should be able to save it as a .msk but I've never yet been able to make my copy of PSP5 do that, so I'd save it as mask1.jpg in a folder called 'masks' along with my other artwork, patterns, backgrounds etc.
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Now that you've made your mask, here's how to use it:
1. Open the graphic you want to 'frame' and the mask you want to use.
2. Click Masks/New/From Image/then click on the drop down menu, and find the name of the mask you've made. Ensure Source Luminence is checked. click OK. This is what you should now see.
3. click on Masks/Save to Alpha Channel/OK/OK
4. Click on Masks/Delete a box will come up, click yes.
5. Click Selections/Load from Alpha Channel/ok. Just your graphic should now be highlighted.
6. Click on Layers/Merge All (flatten)
The background will go white and the graphic will still be selected. Click Selections/Invert to add colour (and use filters if you want) to the background. Then click Selections/Invert to highlight just the graphic again.
Alternatively, you can click Edit/Copy, and then Edit/Paste as New Layer on your background strip. Use the magic wand tool and select anywhere on the background, then click on Selections/Invert so that just your mask graphic is highlighted -
7. Click on Image/Effects/Drop Shadow set your box up like this one, click ok.
8. Click on Image/Effects/Drop Shadow set your box up like this one, click ok
NB. The Vertical and Horizontal #'s are MINUS 1
9. Select/None.
That's it. You're finished with a home made mask.
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Now to use a real PSP5 mask...
Have your background strip open ready.
1. Open the image you want to 'frame'.
2. Click on Masks/Load from Disk.
Choose a suitable mask.
(It will immediately go into the graphic).
Some masks leave the centre of the graphic showing, others leave the outer edges of the graphic showing (masking off the centre of the picture) if yours has masked the centre of the picture so all you can see of your graphic is the edges, just click on Masks/invert to bring the middle of the graphic into view).
3. Click on Masks/Save to Alpha Channel/ok/ok
4. Click Masks/Delete/yes.
5. Click Selections/load from Alpha Channel/ok.
The graphic (and a little blank area around it if you're using a feathered mask like this one) will be highlighted
6. Click Layers/Merge All (flatten)
7. Click Image/Effects/Cutout. Have your box set like this one.
8. Click Image/Effects/Drop Shadow. Have your box set like this one.
9. Click Edit/cut
Edit/Paste as new image.
10. Click Edit/Copy
11. Click your background strip (to make it active).
12. Click Edit/Paste as new layer.
13. Position your graphic where you want it on the background strip.
14. Click Layers/merge all (flatten).
15. Click File/Save copy as Name it, click on Options at the bottom of the save as box, set the compression (as a rule of thumb, the more filters, and detail, the higher the compression can be set. Don't use too much compression, or the graphic will lose clarity.)
And there you go!
Sue C - SJC Designs
Feel free to visit my HOMEPAGE
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