Tips and Tutorials for PSP 8

Shady Pewter Text

This tutorial is NOT to be scripted or made into a "Quick Guide" unless it is for your own personal use.

To do this tutorial you will need a working knowledge of PSP. If you are new to PSP, or have a problem doing this tutorial, you can find me at Raven's PSP Forum, be happy to help you out.

This is an easy tutorial, I've included many screen shots to try to show each step in detail.

Step 1

Open a new image 600 X 300
Set the background to Transparent.

Step 2

Click on your background fill to open your Materials Palette.
Click on Pattern and find the pattern called "Bean Thing".
You can use others if you don't have that one.
"Stones00626", "Chopped Bark" or any patterns similar to them would work.

Step 3
Go to your Tool Bar, click on your Text Tool

.
Check your Tool Palette ( F4 will open it )and make sure it's set for Vector Text.

Click on your image with the Text Tool.
Choose your font and size. For sizes over 72 just type in the size you want.
Check "Anti-alias". Leave the "Stroke" at 0.
I set the Kerning to 135 to space out the letters.
You can leave that with "Auto kern" checked if you want.
Checking "Remember Text" will save your settings in case you have to start over.
Click Apply.

Go to Objects>Align>Center in Canvas.

(shown at 50%)

Step 4

Go to Selections>From Vector Object.
You need to keep your text selected for the next steps.
Go to Layers>Convert to Raster Layer. You cannot add effects to vector text.

Step 5

Go to Adjust>Blur>Blur Average.
Set it to 7.

Step 6

Go to Effects>Artistic Effects>Contours.
Use these settings.

Step 7

Go to Effects>3D Effects>Inner Bevel.
If you have PSP 8 find the custom setting "Metal Button".
If you have PSP 7 use these settings.

Step 8

Go to Selections>Select None.
Go to Effects>3D Effects>Drop Shadow.
These are the settings I used, use whatever looks right for your image.
It's best to keep your shadow on a separate layer so you can change it easily.

Step 9

If you want a matching background for your text make a rectangular selection around your text.

Step 10

Open your Layer Palette, click on Raster 1 to select it.

Go to Layers>New Raster Layer or click on the first icon on your Layer Palette

.
Flood fill

with your pattern.
Your new layer will be added under your text and shadow.

Step 11

Since this will be a much larger area the pattern will need more blurring.
Use Blur Average at 23.
Use the same settings as earlier for Contours.
Use Blur Average again but set it back to 7.
Use the Metal Button Bevel.

Selections>Select None.

Step 12

You might want to sharpen your text or experiment with some of the adjustment options.
These are just a few of the options you can find in PSP.

That's it, you're done.:)

Experiment, and have fun!

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Tips and Tutorials for PSP 8