Tips and Tutorials for PSP 8

Filigree Font 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.

You also need my Cell gradient .
Click here to download. Unzip it and extract to your gradients folder.

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 Gradient and find the "mqc Cell" gradient.

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.
Click on "B" for bold text.
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%)

Note This tutorial works best with a fat, rounded font.

Step 4

Go to Layers>Convert to Raster Layer. You cannot add effects to vector text.
Go to Effects>3D Effects>Inner Bevel.
Use these settings. Click on Save and call this Filigree-1

Step 5

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

If you want to adjust the settings, notice that the whitish areas are where you'll see your pattern.

Step 6

Go to Effects>Artistic Effects>Glowing Edges.

Step 7

Go to Effects>3D Effects>Inner Bevel.
Use these settings. Save as Filigree-2

Step 8

To Sharpen it some go to Adjust>Sharpen>Unsharp Mask.
The default seemed a little too much so I cut it down.

Step 9

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 10

If you want a matching background for your text 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

Click on your background fill to change the settings for the gradient.

Flood fill your new layer..
Your new layer will be added under your text and shadow.

Step 11

Make a rectangular selection around your text.

(shown at 50%)

Step 12

Go to Adjust>Blur>Gaussian Blur.
Set it to 25.

Step 13

Go to Adjust>Add/Remove Noise>Add Noise.

Step 14

Add a new Raster Layer.
Go to Effects>3D Effects>Cutout.
Use these settings.

Step 15

Open your layer Palette and click on Raster 3 to select it.
Go to Selections>Modify>Select Selection Borders.

Step 16

You need to add a little something for Contours to work with.
Go to Effects>Texture Effects>Tiles.
Use these settings.

Step 17

Go to Effects>Art Media Effects>Black Pencil.
Use these settings to add some contrast.

Step 18

Go to Effects>3D Effects>Inner Bevel.
Use the setting Filigree-1 that you saved earlier.

Step 19

Use the same settings as earlier for Contours and Glowing Edges.

Step 20

Go to Effects>3D Effects>Inner Bevel.
Use the setting Filigree-2 with these two changes.

Use the same settings as earlier for Unsharp Mask.

Step 21

Go to Selections>Invert.
Click on your Selection Tool

.
Go to your Tool Option Palette and set the Mode to Remove.
Make a Rectangular selection between your two center selections.
I did the example in red, you'll just see normal marching ants.
That will remove your inner selection.

Step 22

Go To Edit>Clear.

Step 23

Go to Selections>Select None.

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

Experiment, and have fun!

Tutorial Index

Tips and Tutorials for PSP 8