Software: PhotoImpact 10,11,12,X3 

Title:  Pretty Frames n Things  -  part 2

Author: Maureen Eves-Lavis

Level: Beginner

Tools: Paths, Selection tools, Transparency, Photo Tools, Presets & third party effects

Materials: Photograph or Painting, Xero Filters - Fuzzifier - download from here  

The plugin set required is xero: filter set 3 (Rel 3-Apr 2007) : 9 filters

If you need to know how to install filters go here

MODES and WORKSPACES

Versions 12 and X3 has the ability for customised workspace modes, choose your own personal settings or Full Edit providing you have all tools available for this tutorial.

Version 11 has five work modes.  You will see them listed in the My Workshop Menu.  For the purpose of this tutorial, ensure you are working in "Advanced Mode" in order for all tools to be available to you.

Version 10 has two work modes, Basic and Standard. Basic Mode features a simplified workspace with larger buttons and the most common functions, whereas,the Standard Mode displays all of the functions.  We will be using the Standard Mode in this tutorial.If you see Standard Mode faded out as shown, then this is the mode you are using.  If you change from standard to basic you will lose any presets you may have saved.

My previous tutorial on making a pretty frame for your photography can be viewed here  This tutorial is a little different in that we'll be using the lasso tool plus gausian blur.

STEP 1

Open your picture in the PI workspace.  A size of approximately 500 x 500 is fine to work with to post in a forum.  You can also crop close to give the image a zoomed look as I have in the image above.

These are the tools we will be using.  Within the Selection tools, we'll also be utilising the lasso tool.

 

STEP 2

Choosing the Lasso tool, with the smart lasso selected, go around your flower.  

     

When you reach the start again, you can click the tick mark on the attribute bar.    Right click and convert to object.

Whilst the selection is highlighted, you can enhance it.  Menu bar > photo > sharpen.... or you can use highlight/midtone and shadow to lighten the image a little.  This feature is also found in Photo as seen in the images below.  Right click > deselect all objects.

STEP 3

Choose the pick tool, and tap on the photograph's background, ensuring that the lassoed part is not highlighted.

Go to Photo > Blur > Gausian blur > options - move slide to about 40-50.  OK.

As you can see in the image, the background to the flower is soft and blurry.  You can go another step and do a different type of blur.  Have some fun trying out a few.

Right click > merge all.

Outline path tool, rectangle, size anything between 80 to 90 pixels....make it a nice deep border.

For this border I used a pixel size of 99 which is the highest level.  Whilst it's highlighted, right click, shadow and use 5th one along, keep default settings and click ok.

Right click - merge all.... or Object, merge all.

STEP 4

Selection > All > Border with these settings:

Selection > All > Expand/Shrink with these settings:

You can expand a little more if you wish.  Enter a lower number in the pixel window.  It depends on how close in you wish to get the border to your image.  Right click > convert to object.

STEP 5

Now you need to fill the border with a gradient.  Edit > Fill > Gradient.  Pick up two colours from the photograph... and fill.

STEP 6

Go to Effect > Xero > Fuzzifier and open.  Move all sliders to the far right and click ok.  Repeat this procedure a second time.

The border will have a mottled/fuzzy appearance.

Whilst the border is still highlighted, right click, Shadow and choose 5th one along and accept settings.

When complete, Right click > merge all.

STEP 7

Selection > all > border  with these settings :

Edit > Trace Edges > Selection marque - accept default settings OK.

Attribute bar > change Horizontal Deform to 3D Round

 

STEP 8

Choose a complimentary colour for the outside frame.

Effect > Xero > Fuzzifier with the following settings:

Right click > Merge All.

 

 

For this image I used another third party filter Amphisoft  'As A Tinter' > Beacham Mother Love

Site created and maintained by Maureen Eves-Lavis

Creative-Designs

Terms of use for this tutorial are simple....What you create using this tutorial is yours to do with as you please. A link back to this tut is appreciated but is not a requirement. The tutorial itself along with the images herein are copyrighted to me and all rights are reserved.

This document may not be translated, duplicated, redistributed or otherwise appropriated without permission.

COPYRIGHT: Maureen ©Creative-Designs - 2008 Australia