Introduction to PSP 8 taken from the Digital Media Course

Introduction to PSP 8
taken from the
Digital Media Course
Paint Shop Pro 8 – Tutorial.
This introductory tutorial on Paint Shop Pro 8 (PSP8) is only intended as an
accompaniment to your development of multimedia products. It does not address all
the creative tools within PSP – only issues which might be of use in creating your
multimedia products. It must further be stated that the Internet currently provides
many (royalty free) images, video clips and sounds which you could use – as
opposed to creating your own.
Paint Shop Pro 8 is available from www.jasc.com and on your CD. This is a 30-day
evaluation version.
What is Paint Shop Pro 8?
Jasc Paint Shop Pro 8 is an easy-to-use piece of graphics software for professional
digital photograph imaging/editing. PSP8 consists of a unique set of automatic and
precision photo editing and graphic design tools to help you deliver superior
photo/image manipulation with power and ease.
Installing Paint shop Pro 8.
From your CD select and install “psp801ev.exe”.
Launching Paint Shop Pro 8 (PSP8).
Select Start>Programs>Jasc Software to launch Paint Shop Pro 8.
The Workspace.
The workspace for Paint Shop Pro 8 is the area where you create and edit your
images. When you open PSP, the workspace will be laid out according to how it
was arranged when you last closed the program. The following image illustrates a
typical workspace setup. The image used is called “vector balloon.psp” and is
stored in the Sample Images folder of PSP8.
In the above screen shot there are 8 major objects that you need to be understand:
A. The Menu Bar - this displays commands for performing tasks. Menus are
organized by topic. For example, the Effects menu contains commands for
applying effects to images.
B. The Standard Toolbar - this display buttons for common commands.
C. The Tools Option Toolbar –this offers the various options for each tool
selected in D (next).
D. The Tools Toolbar – this offers you the various different tools available e.g.
brushes, fill, magnify, eraser, etc
E. The Colour Palette - this allows you select colours, patterns and gradients.
F. The Overview window – this displays a thumbnail view of the active image
and also allows you to zoom in or out of the image.
G. The Layers Palette – allows you to view, organize, and edit image layers.
This is very important and is dealt with in more detail later.
H. The Status Bar – this displays information on the selected tool or menu
command as well as image information, including the dimensions and colour
depth.
I. The Image window – displays your image.
Opening an Image.
Exercise 1.
At this early stage it is useful to introduce you the method by which you will open
your images. It will allow you to have the same on screen view as the image above.
1. Open an image by selecting
on
the Toolbar (alternatively on the Menu
bar select File>Open).
Both will provide you with the
standard functions that the Open
Window in any programs will offer.
Plus, two extra features – information
about the selected image, and the
option to see a preview of the image
before actually opening it.
2. Once you have selected the image of
you choice – in this case
“Redeye.psp” – which is stored in the images folder within the folder called Sample
Images of the Paint Shop Pro 8 folder.
3. Select the “Open” button.
Using Browse to Open/View Images.
It is also useful at this stage to have a quick look at the browse button which will
also allow you to open and see the contents of a whole folder in thumbnails image.
Exercise 2.
1. You can leave the image “redeye.psp” open.
2. On the Menu bar select
File>Browse. This will present you
with the following screen shot.
3. Pressing the left mouse button on
the appropriate folder name will
display its contents on the right hand
side of the window. You can open
any image double press with the left
mouse button on the image. That
image will launch in its own
window.
4. Close the Browse window (for now).
Saving your images in PSP8.
Save an image by selecting
File>Save).
on the Toolbar (alternatively on the Menu bar select
Both will provide you with the standard functions that the Save Window in any
programs will offer.
1. Choose the folder you want to save to from the Save In dialog box.
2. Give your image a name in the File
Name dialog box.
3. Choose a file type from the Save as
type dialog box. When you select the
down arrow on the Save as type box,
you can use the scroll bar to skip to your
chosen file type.
Saving Graphics for Multimedia.
PSP is frequently used to create images
for display on Multimedia products (and
the Internet).
Therefore a brief
explanation of web graphic formats is
required.
Format - most multimedia packages
recognize GIF, BMP, TIFF and JPG
images.
File Size - file size affects the overall
final size of you multimedia product.
Some File Types:
• TIFF - Stands for Tagged Image File Format. A file format used for
scanning, storing, and interchanging colour and greyscale images. It does not
support layers or animation.
• GIF - Stands for Graphic Interchange Format. This is a file format
commonly used on the Internet. GIF does not support layers.
• JPEG/JPG - Stands for Joint Photographics Experts Group.
A
compression technique that supports 24-bit images and can reduce a file’s
size by as much as 96%. It removes some colour information, while retaining
the brightness data. At higher compressions it can result in a visible loss of
quality. It is best for photographs and for images that contain a variety of
tonal values. JPG has been adapted to video.
• BMP - Stands for Bitmap. A standard Microsoft Windows image format.
Supports paletted, 24-bit RGB colour, and greyscale images. This format
does not support.
• PSP - Paint Shop Pro. Is the native image format for Paint Shop Pro. It can
contain layer, vector, mask, and selection information for images. The PSP
format provides optional lossless compression to create smaller files.
Red-Eye Reduction.
Eliminating Red eye in a photo is often a very difficult task. However, PSP8
approaches this project with a special inbuilt tool - called Red-eye reduction.
Exercise 3.
1. Open the “Redeye.psp” image by selecting
the Menu bar select File>Open).
on the Toolbar (alternatively on
2. Selecting Adjust>Red-eye Removal will present you with the following window.
The appropriate sections of the red eye removal window (above) are:
A. the left hand window is where you will do your selection of the area to change.
This is done by pressing the left hand mouse button on top of the area you wish to
change. If you place the selection in the wrong area you can move by putting the
cursor in the centre of the selection area and just move it into place.
B. this window will show the resulting changes made.
C. Hue – the colour of the Iris (e.g. blue, brown, or green), select the colour of the
eyes.
D. Colour – offers colour variations of the Iris (i.e. light blue or dark blue).
E. Iris Size - increasing the iris size decreases the pupil size.
3. Once you have made your alterations select the “Ok” button. In many cases the
repair work will go unnoticed.
This red eye reduction tool can be difficult to use – if you are unhappy with the
results you are achieving in the preview window – just select the “Cancel” button
during the process – and restart again!
Resizing an image in PSP8.
When you want to resize an image but not crop
(reduce in size) it or add new canvas around it, use
the Resize command.
Since you have the “Redeye.psd” image open you can
resize this image. Alternatively, open the image you
would like to resize by selecting
on the Toolbar
(alternatively on the Menu bar select File>Open, or
through Browse).
Once the image is open you will need to select
Image>Resize. This will present you with the follow
screen.
Make sure Resize All Layers and Maintain Aspect
Ratio is CHECKED.
With regard to resizing the image you have 2 main
options:
• Pixel Dimensions - select a new size by choosing a value as a percentage of
the current size.
• Print Size - where you select a new size by choosing a new measurement in
inches or centimetres.
Select “OK” to resize the image.
Exercise 4.
1. In order to see what occurs when these settings are changed – in the Pixel
Dimensions section – alter the settings to be 80% for both width and height.
This is a also suitable time to introduce you to a very useful option in PSP. Selecting
Edit>Undo….. will allow you to undo previous steps (Note that the precise element
to be undone will be listed after the word Undo in the menu bar).
Rotate an Image.
Similarly to above since you currently have the “Red eye.psd” image open – you can
use this image with this tool. Alternatively, open any image you would like to resize
by selecting
on the Toolbar (alternatively on the Menu bar select File>Open, or
through Browse).
Once the image is open you
will
need
to
select
Image>Rotate>Free
Rotate. This will present
you with the follow screen.
Select
the
appropriate
settings according to the
effect you want to obtain.
Select “OK” to resize the image.
Exercise 5.
Enter settings of your choice to see the on screen effect.
(Select Edit>undo…. if appropriate).
Cropping an Image.
Open the image you would like to resize by selecting
on the Toolbar
(alternatively on the Menu bar select File>Open, or through Browse).
Exercise 6.
1. Select the crop tool
from the Tools toolbar. The crop tool will
allow you to reduce an images visible size to that of the area you
select. Notice when you move the cursor onto the image it changes
to a cross with the crop button image beside it.
2. Move the cursor onto your image, press and hold the left mouse
button and drag the mouse. When you release the mouse button you
will notice that a rectangular box will be on your screen – this in
know as defining the area. You can resize your selected area by dragging the
handles on the corners of the boxes. You can also remove the selection area by
pressing and holding the left mouse button and then moving the selection rectangle
to the area of you choosing.
3. Double clicking within the rectangular area will result in the image
being cropped to that size.
(Again the option Edit>undo….. is available to you!)
Selection of areas.
An important feature of any graphics manipulation is the facility to select various
different portions of an image.
From the Tools toolbar, choose a selection tool
appropriate for the image element you wish to
select. Your choices are Selection (for standard
shaped selections), Freehand Selection (for irregular
shaped selections), and Magic Wand (for selections
based on color, brightness, and opacity).
Across the top of your screen and below the
standard toolbar is the Tool Options palette, this
will be used to choose any appriate settings for your
selection tool.
Pick the Selection tool
On this occasion we will use combine this tool with a special effects tool called
Effects. This allows you to add creative effects to an image or in this case your
selected part of the image.
Effects.
PSP8 has many special effects you can apply to your images, including 3D, artistic,
geometric, illumination, reflection, and texture effects. Blur or distort images to
create subtle or dramatic effects.
An Overview of the Effects
The first thing to remember with
most PSP effects is that they can be
applied only to greyscale images,
or to colour images that have a
colour depth greater than 256. So if
you have trouble applying a filter,
check your image's colour depth.
Image>
Image Information
will give you this next image. I
have also noticed that when an
image is only 1 layer (normally
called background) that certain
effects will also not work. It might
be worth you while to duplicate the
layer and implement changes to
that new layer.
Under the Effects menu, PSP8 has a number of photo-editing filters: Blur, Sharpen,
Edge, Noise, and Enhance Photo filters. In the Effects menu you'll also find several
categories of special effects: 3D Effects, Artistic Effects, Geometric Effects,
Illumination Effects, Reflection Effects, and Texture Effects.
You can select each of these effects separately, however, PSP8 offers you the choice
of an effects browser.
Exercise 7.
1. You can use the same image that was used for eliminating red eye above. Or
alternatively any image of your choosing. (File>Open in the Sample Images folder
of PSP8 there is an image called “redeye.psp”.)
2. Select Effects>Effect Browser – to begin. This will give you the opportunity to
examine the different effects available to that image. This window will give you the
opportunity to view all of the special effects, but it will also allow you to view
changes in brightness, hue etc.
Apart from viewing possible special effects, this window will give you the
opportunity to view changes in brightness, hue etc.
You will need to select the word “Effects” in the left hand pane of the browser.
Notice that there is a small cross before the word effects this will allow you to view a
thumbnail impression of the special effects by category rather than having all the
effects in the view section of the window. There is often a time lag the first time you
select the word Effects as the computer attempts to generate thumbnails of each
effect.
3. Once you have found the effect you are looking for select it by pushing the left
mouse button on top of it and then select the “Apply” button. The original image
will alter several seconds later.
Furthermore, you do not have to apply an effect to a whole image – you can use the
Selection tool to select parts of the image and apply your effect to only the selected
part of your image.
Now to return to the Selection tool mentioned above.
If you don’t want an effect applied to the whole
image but only to part of an image. Choose the
Selection Tool move the cursor onto your image –
press and hold the left mouse button, then move the
mouse to include the section you want to alter. You
will notice that a dotted outline will appear over the
area you selected – this is sometimes referred to as
“marching ants”.
If you now access the Effects Browser you will notice that only the area enclosed in
the “marching ants” will have the effect.
Finally, in connection with the selection tool – you will need to turn off the selection
in order to progress to further alterations of your image. From the Menu bar choose
Selections>Select None this will turn off your selected area.
Changing Canvas Size.
The image canvas is the work area of the image and defines the image’s dimensions
for example, 10 by 10 centimetres. Sometimes on opening an image you may need
more canvas to add elements to an image; other times you may want to make the
canvas size smaller.
Note: Reducing the canvas size is not always the same as cropping an image.
Exercise 8.
To change the image’s canvas size:
1. Selecting Image > Canvas Size will give you
the following screen shot.
2. Input you new canvas size from the New
Dimensions section.
Lock aspect ratio - this check box to allow you to
constrain the new canvas size to the current image
proportions. The numeric edit control (below the
check box) indicates the image’s current width-toheight ratio. Change this value to create a different
aspect ratio.
Set the Placement of the image in the new canvas.
In the Placement group box, click a placement
arrow button. The fields to the right of the placement buttons will show the amount
of canvas added or subtracted from each edge.
3. Select the “Ok” button.
Creating a New Image
Exercise .9
If you need to open a blank screen.
1. Open a new image by selecting
on the
Toolbar (alternatively on the Menu bar select
File>New).
2. Use the measurements in the image above
for your new image.
•
•
Image Dimensions - are entered in the
Width and Height boxes. The width and
height can be set to Pixels, Inches or
Centimeters by selecting from the drop
down list. The resolution is set in the
Resolution box and can be set to Pixels
per Inch or Pixels per Centimeter, again
from the drop down list.
Image Characteristics – your choices
are Background Colour and Image Type.
Background
colour
choices
are
Foreground, Background, White, Black,
Red, Green, Blue or Transparent. A transparent background (or white) is
often the best selection.
3. Once you select “OK” – you will be presented with a
larger view of the image below. The grey and white squares
are only to indicate to you that you have chosen to use a
transparent background. They do not print.
Paint Shop Pro 8 offers many different tools and effects to manipulate your image –
this element of the course is only to be regard as an introduction to the features of
PSP8 and will not address every single element, but rather the elements necessary to
contribute towards the creation of your multimedia production.
Insertion of Text.
Since you have just opened a new blank image – you can use this window to
is used to add text to an
examine the working of the text tool. The Text Tool
image. On selection of the Text Tool button the cursor changes to a cross with the
letter A on the bottom of it (but only once you put the cursor over the image
window).
Furthermore you should notice that the tools option bar on top of your screen
changes to display the controllable properties of the text tool. For anyone who has
used a Word Processing package the options available will be familiar e.g. Font,
size, alignment, style etc.
It is advisable to set up these options before progressing to the next stage, however,
highlighting the text in the Text Entry window below will also allow you to change
the options.
Once you press the left mouse
button on the image on which you
want to insert the text you will then
be presented with the following
screen.
Type your text from the keyboard
into the space provided. Once
finished select the “Apply” button.
If your text is in the wrong position then if you
place the cursor on top of the text (in the centre) in
the image window you will be given the opportunity
to move the text to a more suitable location. You will also notice that there are
handles on the corners of the text block - if you put the cursor on top of any of these
handles you can resize the text (without having to use the text toolbar).
And finally, if you want to erase your text you could just use the eraser button on the
toolbar, however, you could also just delete the layer. As PSP8 inserts text
automatically onto a new separate layer (layers will be discussed later).
Layers in PSP8.
Layers can be very difficult to work with, however, control of layers will enhance
your control over the manipulation of your images. The best way to examine layers
is to work it in conjunction with an exercise which includes the use of several useful
tools and elements within PSP8.
This tutorial also utilises the Selection
Fill
and Flood
Tools, and examines the colour pallet.
on the Toolbar
1. Open a new image by selection
(alternatively on the Menu bar select File>New).
2. Use the measurements in the image on the right for
your new image.
•
Image Dimensions - are entered in the Width
and Height boxes. The width and height can be
set to Pixels, Inches or Centimetres by selecting
•
from the drop down list. The resolution is set in the Resolution box and can
be set to Pixels per Inch or Pixels per Centimetre, again from the drop down
list.
Image Characteristics – your choices are Background Colour and Image
Type. Background colour choices are Foreground, Background, White,
Black, Red, Green, Blue or Transparent. A transparent background (or
white) is often the best selection.
3. Once you select “OK” – you will be presented with a
larger view of the image right. The grey and white
squares are only there to indicate to you that you have
chosen to use a transparent background.
What are Layers?
When you create or import an image in Paint Shop Pro, the image has a single layer.
For simple retouches and corrections, you do not have to add any layers. However,
if you want to add new elements to your image, use layers to make changes and
artistic effects easier.
Each layers that you add begins as a transparent sheet over the background. As you
add brush strokes, objects, or text, you cover up parts of the Background layers.
Transparent parts allow you to see through to underlying layers. Stack up multiple
layers to create whatever effect you’d like—such as artistic compositions, photo
collages, or complex illustrations.
Every element of an image should be placed on a separate layer – this will reduce
you workload by allowing you to repair or go back on items which you need to
change very easily.
Once you have opened a new image, your two main screen sections will resemble
the following image. Note however, the layers palette may be located on the bottom
right hand corner of your screen (you may need to be move).
4. We will begin by creating a new layer. On the Menu bar
select Layers>New Raster Layer, alternatively on the layers
palette there is a button to create new layers (see image right).
5. You will be presented with a Layer
Properties window (right) - name the new
layer “Square - Blue” (at this stage you can
leave the default settings in place), then select
“OK”. A new layer named “Square - Blue”
appears in the layer palette.
It is a good idea to give each layer a unique
names relating to the objects which will be put
into them. It aid being able to make changes
to element of your image later.
6. Next we will be using the
Selection Tool
from the
Toolbar. The Tool Options
– Selection tool offers you
several different shapes – on
this occasion select the
“Square” – leave Feather (0) and Antialias (checked).
7. Now place your mouse in the approximate 1 Inch from the top
left hand corner of your canvas, and drag a square shape. The
marquee should be around the shape. (see image right). This will
be filled in with a blue colouring.
Before selecting the appropriate tool we will select the colour to
be used. In your Colour Palette, you can see three main sections:
A. the available colours palette
B. the foreground colour
C. the background colour.
To choose colours from the palette:
On the Materials palette, do one of the following:
1. To choose the foreground color, click the left mouse button
on the Foreground Colour box (B).
2. To choose the background color, click the Background
Color box (C).
Both will present you with the same more detailed material
pallet (the term material is used rather than “colour palette” as
was used in previous versions, due to the fact that you can
select colours, patterns, gradients and textures in this window. They will not be dealt
with here. You will notice a small circles on the colour wheel – this will allow to
choose your colour. And you will also notice a small circle in the colour square –
this will allow you to choose a shade of that colour.
Press on the left mouse button on the foreground colour square (B) and selected a
blue colour of your choice then select the “Ok” button.
Your foreground colour square not shows blue.
8. Select the Flood Fill tool . Press your left mouse inside the
selection (you did earlier) and your square changes to blue.
On the menu bar choose Selections> Select None. This will turn off the dotted lines
around the square. It is important that you do turn off the selection otherwise PSP8
presumes that you want to make further changes within the selected are only.
9. Create another a new layer. On the Menu bar select Layers>New Raster
Layer, alternatively on the layers palette there is a button
to create new layers.
Name this new layer “Star – Yellow” - select “OK”. You will see another layer
appear in your Layer Palette.
Notice furthermore that this layers has a blue highlight – this is important as the new
object will be put on to that layer only. New users of graphics often have difficulties
with altering images containing multiple layers. Basically the rule of thumb to be
used is that to change an element of an image that has multi-layers, you first need to
highlight that layer in the layers palette.
10. Return to the Selection tool
. TOOL OPTIONS: – on this occasion select the
“Star 1” – leave Feather (0) and Antialias (checked). Putting the star in place is
tricky and may require a few practice tries. Don’t forget to use Edit>Undo… if
necessary.
11. Select the Flood Fill tool . In your Colour Palette, choose
yellow as foreground colour. Press your left mouse inside the
selection and your star changes to yellow. Then on the menu bar
choose Selections> Select None.
12. Right now, you should have 3 layers in your Layer
Palette. Select the bottom layer (the original layer
named “Raster 1”), by pressing the left mouse button
on it in the layers palette.
13. Select the Flood Fill tool
. In your Colour Palette,
choose red as foreground colour. Press the left mouse
button on the transparent background on your canvas to
fill with the red foreground colour. Because the layer
you just filled, is a separate layer, UNDER the square
and star layers, it has no effect on any other layers.
14. Final items to examine in Layers:
In the Layer Palette, select the layer “Star – Yellow” to make it the active layer. In
the image above transparency is set to 100% for the yellow star – to the right of this
number is an object like an hour glass which when selected with the left mouse
button will slide left and right. Move the Opacity Lever to 30 - this makes the
yellow star shape on your canvas 30% transparent, and lets some of the bottom layer
show through. If needed, experiment with each layer and how the opacity level
effects the image.
15. Another option of the layer palette, is to “hide” and “unhide” a layer. On the
Layer Palette, select on the “Square – Blue” layer. Now, click the little eye icon next
to the layer name.
(A red “X” appears over the eye).
This hides the part of your image that was created on that particular layer, so now
only the red background and yellow star are shown on your canvas.
16. At this point, if you saved a copy of your image as a .bmp, .tiff, gif or .jpg
extension, it would merge all the layers automatically and save your image without
the blue square. But saving it as .psp extension preserves all the layers, so when you
open this image at a later time, the “Square – Blue” layer would still be hidden, but
able to be viewed if “unchecked”.
Additional useful tools
1. Reset your setting back to factory settings.
Reset Preferences: PSP8 now offers a quick method of resetting all original factory
settings if a catastrophe occurs. Select File>Preferences>Reset Preferences
2. The Learning Centre.
PSP8 now introduces an online learning guide
which has built-in tutorials on several of the
tools. It is well worth taking the time to browse
these tutorials. You still get the regular help
files as well, so both combine to make a very
powerful educational resource. The regular help
files also offer video clips of features.
Selecting Help>Learning Centre will give you
the following screen.
How to take images from the Internet.
Having due regard for copyright, there are times when you may need to use images
from the Internet. In fact, there are many royalty free image sites on the internet.
Using any one of the many search engines available to you will find these sites.
You will begin by having the appropriate web site open.
Once you have the image you want to use on the screen in
front of you, put the cursor on top of the image and press
the right hand mouse button. This will present you with a
submenu (see image right).
You have two options.
A. you can copy the image and then just paste it into
your graphics program, word processing package or
web authoring package. However, this is not the
best option as image quality is sometimes lost. And
if you decide you want to use the image later,
copying and pasting will result in further
deterioration of quality.
B. You should Save Picture as – this option allows
you to save the image in a folder of your choosing.
And then reuse the image as often as you wish. In
PSP you will simply just open the image, in the
word processing package or web authoring package
you will Insert>Image>From file.
Comparison of File sizes
For the purpose of this section an image of the guitar, this image was originally
provided in PSP7.
The image name is called “guitar” – for the purpose of this
section it was saved into 5 different file formats. The results
are on the right. Sometimes it is true to say that “A picture is
worth a thousand words”.
How to take images from the Internet.
Having due regard for copyright, there are times when you may need to use images
from the Internet. In fact, there are many royalty free image sites on the internet.
Using any one of the many search engines available to you will find these sites.
You will begin by having the appropriate web site open. Once
you have the image you want to use on the screen in front of
you, put the cursor on top of the image and press the right hand
mouse button. This will present you with a submenu (see
image right).
You have two options.
A. you can copy the image and then just paste it into your
graphics program, word processing package or web
authoring package. However, this is not the best option
as image quality is sometimes lost. And if you decide
you want to use the image later, copying and pasting
will result in further deterioration of quality.
B. You should Save Picture as – this option allows you to
save the image in a folder of your choosing. And then
reuse the image as often as you wish. In PSP you will
simply just open the image, in the word processing
package or web authoring package you will
Insert>Image>From file.