Animated Gingerbread Tag

Click for larger view.

This tutorial will be utilizing the following PSP Components:

Cutting and Pasting
Layers
Resizing
Freehand Selection Tool (Lasso)
Animation
Pasting Animation Files into Another
Propagate Pasting Text

Needed:

Tube of Choice: The lovely tube image I am using is a Gorjuss image created by Suzanne Woolcott.

All materials are included and can be downloaded here.

Settings Used in this Tutorial:

Drop Shadow:
Vertical Offset 2, Horizontal Offset 2, Opacity 80, Blur 5, Color Black

Making the Basic Tag in Paint Shop Pro

Step 1
Open up the xmas candy cane frame made by me. We will be using this file for our tag. Open up the gingerbread house layer. Copy and paste it as a new layer. Go to Layers/Arrange/Move Down so it is now below the candy cane frame. Left click the mover tool and move the gingerbread house layer into place.

Step 2
Open up your tube image and copy and paste it as a new layer. If the image needs resizing, go to Image/Resize using the percent option, bicubic and resize all layers NOT checked.

Step 3
Add your copyright and licensing information to the tag.

Step 4
Go to Layers/New Raster Layer. On this layer, flood fill with the color of the background of the forum, web site or blog where your tag will be posted. Go to Layers/Arrange/Send to Bottom. Go to Layers/Merge/Merge Visible.

Step 5
Left click the freehand selection tool. Set it to Point to Point, Mode: Add (shift), Feather 0, Smoothing 0. Carefully draw a selection around the parimeter of the inside of the frame. This is where you will be adding the snow. Once you have the selection drawn, double left click the freehand selection tool to activate the selection.

Step 6
Go to Layers/Duplicate. Continue duplicating until you have a total of 10 layers.

Step 7
Open up your layer palette, and starting with the bottom layer, right click on the layer, go to Rename and left click, and rename the bottom layer 1.

Go to the layer above it, and rename that layer 2.
Rename the layer above that layer, and name it layer 3.
Continue doing this until you have all 10 layers renamed from 1 though 10. All 10 layers should be selected.

Step 8
Open up your snow psp file and the layer palette. Go to Frame 1 and go to Edit/Copy. Go to your tag file and make sure you are on layer 1 and go to Edit/Paste into Selection.
DO NOT DESELECT.

Step 9
Back to your snow psp file - go to Frame 2 and go to Edit/Copy. Go to your tag file and make sure you are on layer 2 and go to Edit/Paste into Selection. DO NOT DESELECT.

Step 10
Continue going to the corresponding Frame and Layer and copying and pasting the snow to your tag until all 10 layers have snow pasted on the corresponding layers.

You will be pasting the snow as follows:
Frame 1 - pastes into selection on Layer 1
Frame 2 - pastes into selection on Layer 2
Frame 3 - pastes into selection on Layer 3
Frame 4 - pastes into selection on Layer 4
Frame 5 - pastes into selection on Layer 5
Frame 6 - pastes into selection on Layer 6
Frame 7 - pastes into selection on Layer 7
Frame 8- pastes into selection on Layer 8
Frame 9- pastes into selection on Layer 9
Frame 10- pastes into selection on Layer 10
Now go to Selection/Select None.

Save this file as a psp or psd file.

Animation Shop

Step 1
Open up your tag file. Go to View/Normal Viewing so you can see all the frames. There should be 10 frames. This will be a bit different than usual because in this case, we will only want to have a total of 8 frames for our animation tag, the same number of frames as our animated xmas lights.

Left click on Frame 4 to activate it. Right click Frame 4, go to delete and left click. Now go to Frame 7 and left click to activate it. Right click Frame 7, go to delete and left click. You should now have a total of 8 frames.

Click the Control and A keys to activate all the frames.

Step 2
Open up the animated xmas lights and click the Control and A keys to activate all the frames. Go to Edit/Copy. Make the tag file active, making sure all the frames are activated. Go to Frame 1 and go to Edit/Paste into Selected Frame. Holding down the left mouse button at Frame 1, place the lights at the top of the tag (see mine). Once you have them where you want them, release the left mouse button. We will add more lights. Making sure you are at Frame 1, Go to Edit/Paste into Selected Frame. Again, at Frame 1, place the lights right next to the first set you added and release the left mouse button.

Step 3
Open up the gingerbread animation. You will see there are four frames. Since our animation has 8 frames, we will need 8 frames for this file as well. Click the Control and A keys to activate all the frames. Go to Edit/Copy. Go to the very last frame (Frame 4) and go to Edit/Paste after current frame. Making sure all the frames are activated, go to Edit/Copy.

Go back to our tag file and make sure all the frames are activated. Go to Frame 1 and go to Edit/Paste into Selected Frame. At Frame 1, holding down the left mouse button, place the gingerbread men at the bottom of the tag. See my tag for placement. Once you have them where you want them placed, release the left mouse button. Again, go to Edit/Paste into Selected Frame and again, at Frame 1, place the animated gingerbread men next to the ones you placed before.

Changing the Frame Properties (making the animation slower)
Make sure that all the frames are activated. Go to the very first frame, right click, go to Frame Properties and left click. Type in 35.

Saving the Animation

Step 1
Before we save the animation, click the Customize button to make sure you have all the correct settings for this animation. You should see two tabs: Colors and Optimizations.

Here is what each setting should be under the two separate tabs:

Colors
255 Colors, Optimized Median Cut, and Error Diffusion should be checked.

Optimizations
The middle three selections should be checked.
The top and bottom selections - unchecked.

After customizing the animation settings, click Ok and click Next and you will get the following screens:

Screen 1 Animation versus output Size - just click next.
Screen 2 Optimization process - just click next.
Screen 3 Optimization preview - just click next.
Screen 4 Optimization results - click finish.

Step 2
Save the file as a gif file. This is your template. You can add signature text and resave for friends and group members.

Back to Paint Shop Pro to add the Signature Text

Open up your tag file and on a new layer add your signature text. Go to Edit/Copy. Close your tag file without saving it. We just needed it for signature placement.

Animation Shop - Adding text using Propagage Paste.

Go to Edit/Paste as New Animation.

Make the text animation active and go to Edit/Copy. Now go to Edit/Propagate Paste. Make the tag image active, making sure all the frames are still activated. Go to Frame 1 and go to Edit/Paste into Selected Frame. Holding down the left mouse button, place the text where you want it and release the left mouse button. Resave this file with a new name.

Comments and Sharing Your Results
Please do let me know how this tutorial worked for you. You can post your comments at the Blog and do email me your results so I can see!

Xmas Animated Tag

Click for larger view.

This tutorial will be utilizing the following PSP Components:

Cutting and Pasting
Layers
Resizing
Animation
Pasting Animation Files into Another
Propagate Pasting Text
Colorizing Text

Needed:

Tube of Choice: The lovely tube image I am using is a Gorjuss image created by Suzanne Woolcott.

All materials are included and can be downloaded here.

Settings Used in this Tutorial:

Magic Wand:
Mode: Add/Shift, Match Mode: RGB Value, Tolerance 75, Contiguous checked, Feather: 0, Anti-Alias checked and outside selected.

Making the Basic Tag in Paint Shop Pro

Step 1
Open up the xmas window file. We will be using this file for our tag. Open up the xmas trees psp file (the white trees with blue background). Copy and paste it as a new layer. Go to Layers/Arrange/Move Down so it is now below the window. Left click the mover tool and move it in place.

Step 2
Open up your tube image and copy and paste it as a new layer. If the image needs resizing, go to Image/Resize using the percent option, bicubic and resize all layers NOT checked.

Step 3
Add your copyright and licensing information to the tag.

Step 4
Go to Layers/New Raster Layer. On this layer, flood fill with the color of the background of the forum, web site or blog where your tag will be posted. Go to Layers/Arrange/Send to Bottom. Go to Layers/Merge/Merge Visible.

Step 5
Go to Layers/Duplicate. Continue duplicating until you have a total of 13 layers. Save this as a psp file.

Animation Shop

Step 1
Open up your tag file. Go to View/Normal Viewing so you can see all the frames. There should be 13 frames. Click the Control and A keys to activate all the frames.

Step 2
Open up the xmas tree animation and go to View/Normal Viewing. Click the Control and A Keys to activate all the frames. Go to Edit/Copy. Make the tag image active, making sure all the frames are activated. Go to Frame 1. Go to Edit/Paste into Selected Frame. Holding down the left mouse button, at Frame 1, place the xmas tree animation where you want it on the tag and release the left mouse button.

Back to Paint Shop Pro to add the text with the Chrismas Lights Outdoor Font

At the Material palette, make the bottom color box black and leave the top null (no color).
Left click the text tool and locate the Christmas Lights Outdoor Font at about Size 85 with no stroke. Do not hold down the cap key. Just type the text. Once you have your text added, we will colorize it.

Left click the magic wand using the settings from above. Left click the magic wand inside the first letter of the text and flood fill with a very light shade (pastel). Go to Selections/Select None. Continue with each letter of text, floodfilling with a different color. Once you have your entire text colorized, go to Edit/Copy. Open up Animation Shop and go to Edit/Paste as New Animation.

Animation Shop

Adding text using propagage paste.

Make the text animation active and go to Edit/Copy. Now go to Edit/Propagate Paste. Make the tag image active, making sure all the frames are still activated. Go to the Frame 1 and go to Edit/Paste into Selected Frame. Holding down the left mouse button, place the text (the christmas lights) at the top of the window frame in Frame 1and release the left mouse button. See my tag.

Adding the Other Animations

Step 1
Open up the Merry Christmas Animation ( xmas 21). Click the Control and A keys to activate all the frames. Go to Edit/Copy. Make the tag image active (making sure all frames are activated). Go to Frame 1. Go to Edit/Paste into Selected Frame. At Frame 1, holding down the left mouse button, and place the Merry Christmas animation at the top of the tag and release the left mouse button.

Step 2
Open up the xmas twinkle animation. Click the Control and A Keys to activate all the frames. Go to Edit/Copy. Making sure the tag image has all the frames activated, next go to Frame 1 and go to Edit/Paste into Selected Frame, placing the animation on the blue sky in frame 1. Go to Edit/Paste again and again paste the twinkle animation on the blue sky, making sure to paste in frame 1. Continue pasting as many twinkle animations as you like on your tag.

Changing the Frame Properties (making the animation slower)
Make sure that all the frames are activated. Go to the very first frame, right click, go to Frame Properties and left click. Type in 20.

Saving the Animation

Step 1
Before we save the animation, click the Customize button to make sure you have all the correct settings for this animation. You should see two tabs: Colors and Optimizations.

Here is what each setting should be under the two separate tabs:

Colors
255 Colors, Optimized Octree, and Error Diffusion should be checked.

Optimizations
The middle three selections should be checked.
The top and bottom selections - unchecked.

After customizing the animation settings, click Ok and click Next and you will get the following screens:

Screen 1 Animation versus output Size - just click next.
Screen 2 Optimization process - just click next.
Screen 3 Optimization preview - just click next.
Screen 4 Optimization results - click finish.

Step 2
Save the file as a gif file.

Comments and Sharing Your Results
Please do let me know how this tutorial worked for you. You can post your comments at the Blog and do email me your results so I can see!

4 Section Frame

Click for larger view.

This tutorial will be utilizing the following PSP Components:

Deformation Tool
Colorizing
Copy and Paste
Resizing
Layers
Animation
Copying and pasting animations on to another file
Creating Signature Text in Animation Shop
Propagate Pasting Signature Text

Needed:

Tubes of Choice (4): The lovely tube images I am using are Gorjuss images created by Suzanne Woolcott. Please be sure that all tube images are from the same artist.

Outside Filters:

Toadies Band Surpressing Noise Filter

FM Tile Tools Blend Emboss Filter. The free demo version with 7 of the 21 filters enabled is located here.

Download Supplies: Frame created by me. Butterfly animation is from Peachie's Collection. You can download the supplies here.

Optional: Any elements you wish to add to decorate the frame.

SETTINGS USED IN THIS TUTORIAL

Magic Wand:
Mode: Add/Shift, Match Mode: RGB Value, Tolerance 0, Contiguous checked, Feather: 0, Anti-Alias checked and outside selected

Drop Shadow (Optional for Tube Graphic)
Vertical Offset 2, Horizontal Offset 2, Opacity 80, Blur 5, Color Black

This tutorial will be in three parts.

Part I will show you how to create the frame. If you would rather use the pre-made frame, skip Part I and start at Part II

Part II - will show you how to create the tag with your frame.

Part III - will add the animation

PART I - Creating the Frame

Step 1
Open a new transparent image 800 width by 500 height. We will start big and resize later.

Have your four tube images open as well so you can select a color for your frame that will work well with all of your tube graphics.

At the Material Palette, in the top color box, set it to black. In the bottom color box, set it to a color that will work with all of your tube graphics.

Left click the preset shape tool set to rectangle, with solid line, and line width of 5.05. Nothing else should be checked. Going from left to right and down, draw a rectangle that fits within a little less than a quarter of your transparency, leaving enough room to add the additional frames, some graphic decoration to the frame and text to the top of the frame. Also leave some room for your copyright information.

Step 2
Go to Layers/Duplicate.
Go to Image/Resize using the percent option at 85%, bicubic and resize all layers NOT checked.
Go to Layers/Merge/Merge Visible.

Step 3
Left click the magic wand using the settings from above. Left click the magic wand inside the middle of the frame and hit the delete key.
Go to Selections/Select None.

Step 4
Left click the Raster Deform tool. Holding down the control key, with the left mouse button, left click the right top corner node and move the frame up just a little bit, so it looks like this:



Step 5
Go to Layers/Duplicate and Image/Mirror.
Left click the mover tool and move the duplicate layer directly next to the original layer with just a bit of overlap of the two frames (see below) and go to Layers/Merge/Merge Visible.



Step 6
Go to Layers/Duplicate and Image/Mirror.
Left click the mover tool and move the duplicate layer directly next to the original layer, again overlapping the frames somewhat in the middle where the two sets of frames meet (see below) and go to Layers/Merge/Merge Visible.



Step 7
Go to Effects/3D Effects/Drop Shadow and use the settings from above.

PART II - Creating the Tag

Step 1
Have your frame psp image on your desktop. (If you are using the pre-made one, go to Adjust/Hue and Saturation/Colorize and by moving the controls, select a color for your frame).

Step 2
Left click the magic wand using the settings from above and left click the outside of the frame portion.

Go to Effects/Plugins/Toadies/Band Supressing Noise, use the default settings, but do not Deselect.

Step 3
Go to Effects/Plugins/FM Tile Tools/Blend Emboss and use the default settings.
Go to Selections/Select None.

Step 4
Left click the magic wand and left click inside the first frame section. Go to Selections/Modify/Expand 14. Do not deselect.

Go to Layers/New Raster Layer.

Step 5
Flood fill the selection with a color that will coordinate with both your frame and your tube graphic. Go to Layers/Arrange/Move Down, but do not deselect.

Step 6
Open up one of your tube graphics. Copy and paste the tube graphic as a New Layer. If the image is too large to fit within the selection, go to Image/Resize using the percent option, bicubic and resize all layers NOT checked. Move the tube graphic within the selection. Go to Selection/Invert and click the delete key.

Go to Selections/Select None.

If the image is not beneath the frame, go to Selections/Arrange/Move Down.

Step 7
Open up your layer palette and make sure you are on the frame layer.
Repeat Steps 4-6 but this time you will be working with the second frame section. You can use the same color for the background of your frame or select a different color.

Step 8
Repeat Step 7 but this time you will be working on the third section of your frame.

Step 9
Repeat Step 7 but this time you will be working on the fourth section of your frame.

Go to Layers/Merge/Merge Visible.

Step 10
Open up the elements you wish to add to your frame for decoration. Copy, Paste and Resize your elements to work with your frame. To resize your elements, go to Image/Resize using the Pixel Option, Smart Size, Maintain Aspect Ratio and Resize all Layers NOT checked.

Step 11
Apply a drop shadow effect to your elements by going to Effects/3D Effects/Drop Shadow and using the settings from above.

Step 12
Add the copyright/information.

Step 13
Go to Layers/New Raster Layer and flood fill this layer with the color of the background of the forum, blog or web site where you will be posting your graphic. Go to Layers/Arrange/Send to Bottom and go to Layers/Merge/Merge All (flatten).
We will add our text in animation shop.

Step 14
Left click the crop tool and draw a rectangle around the area you wish to keep, eliminating the background palette that you will not need. Leave some room at the top of the tag for your text.

Step 15
Go to Image/Resize using the percent option at 85%, bicubic and resize all layers checked.

Step 16
Go to Layers/Duplicate and duplicate the layers 3 times so you have a total of 4 layers.

Step 17
Save the tag as a PSP or PSD file.

PART III - Adding the Animation

Step 1
At Animation Shop, locate the tag file and open it. Go to View/Normal Viewing. You should see 4 frames. Click the Control and A keys to activate all the frames.

Step 2
Open up the butterfly vine animation and also go to View/Normal Viewing. There should also be 4 frames. Go to Animation/Resize Animation using the percentage option at 70%, Smart Size, and Maintain Aspect Ratio checked.

Step 3
Click the Control and A keys to activate all the frames. Go to Edit/Copy. Make the tag file active, making sure all the frames are activated. Go to the very first frame and go to Edit/Paste into selected frame. Holding down the left mouse button, place the butterfly vine animation on the left side of the frame. Once you have it in place, release the left mouse button.

Step 4
Make the butterfly vine animation active (making sure all the frames are activated) and go to Animation/Mirror. Go to Edit/Copy.

Make the tag image active and this time place the butterfly vine on the right hand side of the frame. Once you have it in place, release the left mouse button.

Step 5
Making sure your tag animation has all the frames activated (Control and A keys), right click any frame, go to Frame Properties, left click and type in 15.

Saving the Animation

Step 1
Before we save the animation, click the Customize button to make sure you have all the correct settings for this animation. You should see two tabs: Colors and Optimizations.

Here is what each setting should be under the two separate tabs:

Colors
255 Colors, Optimized Octree and Error Diffusion should be checked.

Optimizations
The middle three selections should be checked.
The top and bottom selections - unchecked.

After customizing the animation settings, click Ok and click Next and you will get the following screens:

Screen 1 Animation versus output Size - just click next.
Screen 2 Optimization process - just click next.
Screen 3 Optimization preview - just click next.
Screen 4 Optimization results - click finish.

Step 2
Save the file as a gif file (without text). You will later add text and resave so you can make additional tags for friends and forum/group members.

Adding Signature Text in Animation Shop using Propagate Paste

Step 1
Go to File/New. For Animation Properties make the width and height 300 and have transparent checked.

Left click the text tool and when the text entry box opens, select your font type and size, type in your text, and click ok.

Step 2
Go to Edit/Copy. Go to Edit/Propagate Paste.

Step 3
Make your tag file active, making sure all the frames are activated. If they are not, click the Control and A keys to activate all the frames. Go to Edit/Paste into selected frame. Holding down the left mouse button, place the signature text exactly where you want it in the very first frame. Release the left mouse button and the text should now be in all the frames.

Resave your animation with a new name.

Comments and Sharing Your Results
Please do let me know how this tutorial worked for you. You can post your comments at the Blog and do email me your results so I can see!

Listen to the Music

Click for larger view.

This tutorial will be utilizing the following PSP Components:

Template
Colorizing
Copy and Paste
Resizing
Gradients
Layers
Animation
Copying and pasting animations on to another file
Propagate Pasting Signature Text

Needed:

Tube of Choice: The lovely tube image I am using is a Gorjuss image created by Suzanne Woolcott.

Music Template and Line Art created by me. Ipod tubed by me. These supplies, including the animated notes and music line can be downloaded here.

Font: Amadeus - Included in Zip

SETTINGS USED IN THIS TUTORIAL

Drop Shadow (Optional for Tube Graphic)
Vertical Offset 2, Horizontal Offset 2, Opacity 80, Blur 5, Color Black

Step 1
Open up the music template and tube graphic. Open up the layer palette and you will see two layers. The bottom layer has the Ipod which you can colorize. The top layer has the multi-colored lineart using the Amadeus font which says, "Listen to the Music."

Step 2
Go to the Ipod layer and colorize the Ipod so that it coordinates with your tube graphic. To colorize, go to Adjust/Hue and Saturation/Colorize and move the sliders over until you have a color that works with your tube graphic. Do try and keep the Ipod over to the left side because once you add your tube graphic, you will still need space to add your signature text using the Amadeus Font.

Step 3
Copy and Paste the tube graphic on a new layer. If you need to resize your tube graphic, go to Image/Resize using the percent option, bicubic and resize all layers NOT checked.

Step 4
If you wish to add a drop shadow to the tube grpahic, go to Effects/3D Effects/Drop Shadow and use the settings from above.

Step 5
Add your copyright/licensing information and go to Layers/Merge/Merge Visible.

Step 6
Go to Layers/New Raster Layer and on this layer flood fill with the color of the background of the forum, blog, or web site where you image will be shown. Go to Layers/Arrange/Send to Bottom.

Step 7
Go to Layers/Merge/Merge Visible.

Step 8
Go to Layers/Duplicate. Keep duplicating the layers until you have 10 layers. Save as a psp or psd file without text.

Animation Shop - Adding the Animation Files to the Tag

Step 1
At Animation Shop, locate the tag file and open it. Go to View/Normal Viewing. You should see 10 frames. Click the Control and A keys to activate all the frames.

Step 2
Open up the animated music line and also go to View/Normal Viewing. There should also be 10 frames. Click the Control and A keys to activate all the frames. Go to Edit/Copy. Make the tag file active, making sure all the frames are activated. Go to the very first frame and go to Edit/Paste into selected frame. Holding down the left mouse button, place the animated music line at the bottom of the tag, just below the Ipod and tube graphic.

Step 3
Open up the musical notes (music-a gif) and click the Control and A Keys to activate all the frames. Go to Edit/Copy. Make the tag image active and go to Edit/Paste into Selected Frame. Holding down the left mouse button, place the animated musical notes to the left of the text, "Listen to the Music" (making sure you are at the very first frame) and release the left mouse button. Again go to Edit/Paste into Selected Frame and holding down the left mouse button, place the animated musical notes to the right of the text (again, making sure you are at the very first frame) and release the left mouse button.

Saving the Animation

Step 1
Before we save the animation, click the Customize button to make sure you have all the correct settings for this animation. You should see two tabs: Colors and Optimizations.

Here is what each setting should be under the two separate tabs:

Colors
255 Colors, Optimized Octree and Error Diffusion should be checked.

Optimizations
The middle three selections should be checked.
The top and bottom selections - unchecked.

After customizing the animation settings, click Ok and click Next and you will get the following screens:

Screen 1 Animation versus output Size - just click next.
Screen 2 Optimization process - just click next.
Screen 3 Optimization preview - just click next.
Screen 4 Optimization results - click finish.

Step 2
Save the file as a gif file (without text). You will later add text and resave so you can make additional tags for friends and forum/group members.

Adding Signature Text in Paint Shop Pro

Step 1
Open up your tag file. Go to Layers/New Raster Layer. In Internet Explorer, open up the Amadeus font and minimize it. Left click the text tool. Locate the Amadeus font and make it about Size 40 with stroke set to 1. Left click the top color box. When the color selection window opens, left click gradient. Select the rainbow gradient with angle set to 90 and repeats set to o. The bottom color box should be set to black. Add your text on a new layer. If you used Vector Text, make sure to convert the vector layer to a raster layer. Go to Edit/Copy.

Close the tag file. Do not save it. We only needed it for signature text placement.

Step 2
Go to Edit/Paste as New Image.

Step 3
Go to Edit/Copy.

Adding Signature Text in Animation Shop by Propagate Paste

Step 1
At Animation Shop, go to Edit/Paste as New Animation.

Step 2
Go to Edit/Copy. Go to Edit/Propagate Paste.

Step 3
Make your tag file active, making sure all the frames are activated. If not, click the Control and A keys to activate all the frames. Go to Edit/Paste into selected frame. Holding down the left mouse button, place the signature text exactly where you want it in the very first frame. Release the left mouse button and the text should now be in all the frames.

Step 4
Copy and Paste the animated notes and place underneath the signature text. Go to Edit/Paste once again, and again add the animated notes (making sure you are at the very first frame).

Resave your animation with a new name.

Step 5
If you wish to resize your tag, go to Animation/Resize Animation. Select Pixel Size, Resize Type use Smart Size and make sure Maintain Aspect Ratio is checked. When resaving - very important, select Optimized Median Cut (not Optimized Octree as you did originally). The reason is that sometimes in Paint Shop Pro, continually making changes on a saved animation image can result in graininess on the tag. So instead, when resaving the tag again, apply the Optimized Median Cut setting instead.

Comments and Sharing Your Results
Please do let me know how this tutorial worked for you. You can post your comments at the Blog and do email me your results so I can see!