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Create And Save A Mask
Plus Create Graduated Reflections From Text Or Objects - Intermediate Plus
Written For Paint Shop Pro 7 8 9 X
Paint Shop Pro XI X2 X3 X4 X5 (& Newer) Students Should Follow X’s Instructions
  
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This tutorial is in two parts: first, I demonstrate how to create and save a Graduated
Mask from a Gradient; I then demonstrate how to apply a graduated reflection to text or an object. To work along, you are welcome to download the transparent I-pods I am working with Here. Unzip the file and open the image onto Paint Shop Pro’s workspace.
150+ Beginner PDF Tutorials
Understanding Layers On-line Tutorial
Basic Masking Principles Explained On-line Tutorial
Part 1 - Create And Save A Graduated Mask
Part 2 - Create A Graduated Perspective Shadow/Reflection
Part 1 - Create A Graduated Mask - Part 2 Graduated Shadows/Reflections Here
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Open a New Image
400 Pixels Width X 400 Pixels Height
Paint Shop Pro 8 9 X XI X2 X3 X4 X5 (& Newer) Raster Background
Background Colour - Transparent
16 Million Colours/RGB 8 Bits/Channel
Resolution PSP 7, 72,000, PSP 8 9 X XI X2 X3 X4 X5 (& Newer) 200,000.
Colour Materials/Palette White To Black Gradient Screen Capture Here
Note
Ensure the Foreground is set to the following White To Black Gradient.
 
On-line Tools Toolbar Tutorials
Paint Shop Pro 7: On-line Toolbar Tutorial
Paint Shop Pro 8 & 9: On-line Toolbar Tutorial
Paint Shop Pro X XI X2 X3: On-line Toolbar Tutorial
PaintShop Pro X4/X5 & Newer: On-line Toolbar Tutorial
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Now, from the Tools Toolbar; activate the Flood Fill Tool.
  
And enter the following settings into the Tool Options Palette or Ribbon.
Paint Shop Pro 7
Paint Shop Pro 8 9 X XI X2 X3 X4 X5 (& Newer)
Then left-click over your transparent image to fill it with the White to Black Gradient.
3/
To create a graduated mask from your gradient: PSP 8 9 X XI X2 X3 X4 X5 & Newer Proceed Here
Paint Shop Pro 7: From the top menu, choose Masks then choose New then choose
From Image. Enter the following settings into the subsequent Add Mask From Image dialogue box, then click OK.
Your Gradient will then change to the following.
Now, from the top menu, choose Masks then choose Save to Disc. Then from the subsequent Save Mask Channel dialogue box, navigate to Paint Shop Pro’s Masks folder, then double-left-click to open it. Once inside the Masks folder; enter a suitable name for your mask (into the File Name box); suffix the name with .msk - then click Save.
Note
Paint Shop Pro’s Masks folder should automatically open, if it doesn’t; you need to navigate to it via Windows Explorer.
Your gradient has been converted to a Graduated Mask, and has been saved to Paint Shop Pro’s Masks Cache, the Gradient open on your workspace can now be closed.
Paint Shop Pro 8 9 X XI X2 X3 X4 X5 (& Newer)
From the top menu, choose Layers then choose New Mask Layer then choose From Image. Enter the following settings into the subsequent Add Mask From Image dialogue box, then click OK.
Your Gradient will then change to the following.
Now, from the top menu, choose Layers then choose Load/Save Mask then choose Save Mask To Disc. From the subsequent Save Mask To Disc dialogue box, enter a suitable (unique) name into the File name box, then click Save.
Your gradient has been converted to a Graduated Mask, and has been saved to Paint Shop Pro’s Masks Cache, the Gradient open on your workspace can now be closed.
All Versions
Now you have created and saved your White to Black Graduated Mask, you are ready for the next step.
Part 2 - Create A Graduated Reflection - Paint Shop Pro 7 8 9 X XI X2 X3 X4 X5 (& Newer)
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First, decide whether you want to create a reflection from Text or an Object. Therefore, either open a transparent image of your choice (for example the I-pods); or create a Text Layer.
When you have opened/created your choice of Object or Text; you are ready for the next step.
2/
Now, create a large Transparent Image - ensuring it is large enough to accommodate your image (after it has been duplicated).
For my I-pod example, my New Image measured 900 Pixels High and 800 Pixels Wide.
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Then activate your Text or I-pod image, and Copy and Paste it onto the Transparent Image; then delete your original Text/I-pod image to save PC resources. Now, with the Mover/Move Tool.
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Drag your Text or I-pod to the top half of the transparent image.
Inner Bevel
If you want to apply an Inner Bevel to your Text, do this now.
 
Preparation Note
If you are creating a reflection from text (or an image) that has a solid background (or has not been created on its own layer); the image must be isolated with some type of selection prior to duplicating it. Useful tools for isolating objects or text are; The Magic Wand
Tool, The Selection Tools, or The Pen Tool.
Note
If your object or text is not on its own layer; and you have selected it with the Magic Wand Tool, before proceeding; from the top menu, choose Selections then choose Promote (Selection) to Layer, and work on the Promoted Selection Layer.
4/ Lesson Continued
Now, from the top menu, choose Layers then choose Duplicate; then rename the duplicated layer Reflection.
  
5/
Working on the Reflection layer; from the top menu, choose Image then choose Flip. Then with the Move/Mover Tool active, drag the flipped I-pod (or Text), so it touches the upper
I-pod or Text.
 
Tip
Paint Shop Pro 9 X XI X2 X3 X4 X5 (& Newer) : With the Move Tool active, you can nudge the Vector Deformation Bounding Box, pixel-by-pixel, by tapping your keyboard’s arrow keys.
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6/
Now, activate the Transparent Layer, (it will be at the bottom of the Layer Stack).
  
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Then activate the Flood Fill Tool  .
Set the Foreground Swatch to either a Solid Colour, Pattern or Gradient of your
choice. (Landscape-type gradients work well with this type of effect; I chose the following).
The Summer Field Gradient can be downloaded here. Install PSP Files Here. Unzip Files.
Screen Capture Of Summer Field Gradient Settings Here.
 
8/
Now, left-click over your image to fill the transparent layer with your choice of Fill. Then with the Mover/Mover Tool, drag your two I-pod (or Text) images, so they are positioned as illustrated below - remembering to tap each image into position using the Arrow Keys.
 
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Activate the layer name Reflection, (this is your flipped layer).
  
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Then from the top menu, choose: Paint Shop Pro 8 9 X XI X2 X3 X4 X5 & Newer Proceed Here.
Paint Shop Pro 7; Choose Masks then choose Load From Disc. In the subsequent Load Mask Channel dialogue box, navigate to Paint Shop Pro 7’s Masks Folder, then locate the White to Black Gradient Mask you created in Part 1. Double-left-click to highlight your mask - then click Open.
Paint Shop Pro 7, proceed here to continue.
Paint Shop Pro 8 9 X XI X2 X3 X4 X5 (& Newer)
From the top menu, choose Layers then choose Load/Save Mask then choose Load Mask From Disc. From the subsequent Load Mask From Disc dialogue box, click open the left-side Mask library, and scroll the thumbnails until you locate your newly created White to Black Graduated Mask. After you have located your Mask, double-left-click to highlight it - then, ensuring the following attributes are set - click Load.
 
11/ All Versions
Congratulations, you have created your graduated reflection; take a little time to experiment with different Landscape Gradients - (or alternative Fills), and when you are completely happy with your graduated reflection, from the top menu, choose Layers then choose Merge All (Flatten). Finish by Cropping your image to size, then link here to learn how to optimise and save your work.
Tip
If you feel the Gradient is too solid, (whilst the layers remain separate) lower the Gradient Layer’s Opacity slider.
 
Tip
Similarly, to reduce the Reflection Layer’s hardness, (working on the Mask Layer), reduce the Layer’s Opacity slider.
 
Have fun creating graduated reflections from text and objects.
Finally
Experiment with different Mask applications; and remember, when working with
masks, White displays the underlying image’s colours, Black will mask it - and Grey will display varying degrees of opacity.
Wendi E M Scarth. Top of Page
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