This tutorial was created by Darlene on 13th June 2008. Any similarity to any other tutorial is coincidental and non-intentional. Thank you so much Glennda for testing this tutorial and offering your suggestions…it is greatly appreciated.

The image you create from this tutorial is yours to do with as you wish… except to make a profit.

SUPPLIES

PSP - I use PSP9 but any version can be used
Pixel Tubes - zip file HERE - Tube outlines were created by C.Gibbs and painted by me
Font - I used Electronica and have supplied some text tubes in the zip folder

Okay, let's get started!!

Step 1

In PSP open a new 174x108 transparent image.

Step 2

Floodfill Raster 1 layer with a color of your choice...in this case
I'm using #4858a8 (dark blue).
Rename this layer "frame".

Step 3

Selections....Select All

Step 4

Selections...Modify...Contract by 2.

Step 5

Floodfill the selected area with #ffffff (white). Do not deselect.

Step 6

Selections...Modify...Contract by 1.

Step 7

Floodfill the selected area with #a52108 (dark red). Do not deselect.

Step 8

Selections...Modify...Contract by 2.

Step 9

Floodfill the selected area with #ffffff (white). Do not deselect.

Step 10

Selections…Modify…Contract by 1

Step 11

Floodfill the selected area with your dark blue #4858a8.

Selections Modify Contract by 2.
Hit the delete key on your keyboard.
Do not deselect.

Step 12

Go to Layers..New Raster Layer and name it "background".

Step 13

Floodfill this area with a color or gradient of your choosing.

Step 14

Go to Layers...Arrange...Move Down

Step 15

Make sure you are still on your background layer

Go to Selections...Float.

Step 16

Effects...3D...Cutout...Use the settings below:

Deselect.

You should now have something like this:

Step 17

Image...Canvas Size...250x250. I know this is large
but we'll crop it later.

Step 18

Open your PP_americanbears_CP tube.
Back to your tag and click on your “frame” layer
to activate it. Create a new Raster Layer and name
the layer "bear".

Step 19

Copy and paste one of the bear tubes and
Paste As A New Selection onto your tag. Position your
bear where you like.

Step 20

Still on your bear layer, apply a drop shadow with the
Settings below:

Step 21

Zoom in really close and with your selection tool,
select any drop shadow that is on the frame or outside of the frame.

Step 22

Create a new Raster Layer and name it “text”.

Step 23

Open your PP_text_color tube.
Click on the red/white/blue layer and copy.

Step 24

Back to your tag...Right click and Paste As A New Selection.
Position the text where you like. Deselect.

Step 25

Effects...3D...Drop Shadow with settings below:

Step 26

Now you can crop your image.
At this point I like to save my work
as a psp file...that way I have all layers
intact and can make changes whenever
or however I like.

Then I make a duplicate copy of my
image and go to Layers...Merge...Merge Visible.

Add your name and save as a gif.

That's it...You’re all done!
I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and if you have
any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me HERE.