A triptych (from the Greek tri- "three" + ptychē "fold") is a work of (usually a panel painting) which is divided into three sections, or three  panels which are hinged together. 

Diptych is a two panel,  Triptych three panel and Polyptych is a four panel

A Polyptych showing the four seasons with filters added to each part of the photograph

 

Software:  PhotoImpact 10, 12 and X3  (earlier versions may be used)

Title:  Making a Triptych or Polyptych Wall Hanging

Author:  Maureen Eves-Lavis

Level:  Beginner/Intermediate

Tools:  Grid & Partition; Shadow; Texture Background

Materials:  Photographs

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 to you for this tutorial.

Version 11 has five 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.

 

Open a blank canvas about 1000x 800 150 res.

Depending on your photograph's colours,  fill your canvas with colour.  It is up to you what background, but ensure it compliments your finished picture and not competes with it.  Also, that it makes your picture stand-out.  I chose the Linear Gradient fill with 2 colours and dragged diagonally across canvas.

Open Effect, Fills and Textures, Texture Filler  -   Choose 2nd Effect Embossed, then texture image.  Depending on depth and transparency needed for the background you can play with the various sliders until you reach the desired effect.  As shown in the picture below.  Either save your image or drag into your easy palette for safe keeping.

 

Now to the photograph.  Make sure your photograph measure approximately 50 pixels all round less than the filled canvas.

On the menu bar click Web, Grid & Partition and choose these settings.

 

Each of the sections will be locked.  In order to drag the picture to your canvas you need to unlock them, to do this go to Layer Manager and click on any of the 3 boxes with a padlock and all 3 slices will unlock.  Close layer manager.

Whilst all sections are highlighted, right click and Merge as Single Object.  Drag you picture onto the coloured canvas and Align "both".  Deselect.

Right click and add shadow

 

You can add and outside frame if you wish.  I chose to Select All, Convert to Object, bristle brush size 20 default settings, with colour of the sand, Effect, All, Paint on Edges.  

This effect can be applied to any photograph or painting and looks good as a wall hanging or framed onto a block.

A  painting by me of the South Sea Islands as a Triptych

Thank you for doing my tutorial and hope you enjoyed it.

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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.

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