Software: Ulead PhotoImpact 7, 8, XL or Pro
Author: Debbie Hardisty
Home Page: Debisty Designs
Title: Lace Fan - Updated Version
Skill Level: Beginner

Featured Tools:
Path Drawing Tool
Frame & Shadow
Transform Tools
Format/Colour Balance

Additional Files:
lace.zip
tassel.zip

Description: This tutorial shows how to create a beautiful lace fan using many PI tools and how to alter the colour of the lace to suit every occasion and image. If you're doing this tutorial as a part of the Beginner's Workshop, you'll find that the tools covered in this tutorial are those already covered in previous projects which will not only reinforce what you've already learned, but will show you how versatile PI is.

My terms of use for this tutorial are simple....What you create using this tutorial is yours to do with as you please. A link back to this tut is appreciated but is not a requirement. The tutorial itself along with the images herein are copyrighted to me and all rights are reserved.

Please remember to save often!

 

1

 

Click on File/New/New Image and open an RGB canvas with a Custom Colour of black (or some other dark colour) and a User-defined width of 400 pixels and a height of 400 pixels.

Once you're sure that the settings are correct, click on OK.

2

Unzip and open the lace file you downloaded for the purpose of this tutorial and drag it to the centre of your new canvas.

*** With the lace selected go to Format/Frame & Shadow. Use the following settings: Style = Magic Frame; Effect = Mesh: Outer edge = 20; Inner edge = 20; Noise = 300; Be sure that Border is checked and that you're using the one colour, white. Click on OK ***

Repeat from *** to *** a second time.

Repeat from *** to *** a third and final time but being sure to alter the following settings: Outer edge = 20; Inner edge = 0; Noise = 250.

3

Use the Path Drawing Tool with: Custom Shape = Shape 2; Mode = 3D; Border = 5; Depth = 30; to create a shape that spans from the centre to the side edge of the lace. Reduce the height of this new shape to about half it's original height and then fill it will the Copper 6 metallic preset found in the Material Attribute Gallery in the Easy Palette.

4

Right click and select to duplicate this shape, then click on Edit/Rotate & Flip/Rotate Horizontally. Position over the lace as shown in the example on the left here.

5

Use the Path Drawing Tool with: Custom Shape = Plaque 6; Colour = White; Mode = 3D; Border = 5; Depth = 30; to draw a shape approximately 1/3rd the length of one of the arms you just created. Reduce the height of it to about half it's original height. Position this newly created plaque 6 shape over the left arm.

6
Use the Path Drawing Tool again: Shape = Rounded Rectangle; Colour = Gold or same preset as used on the arms; Mode = 3D; Border = 3; Depth = 30; to draw a very slender bar that will attach to one end of the white plaque 6 shape as shown in the image on the left...It should reach to almost the end of the lace area. Select both the white plaque 6 shape and the thin bar then right click and select to group them. From now on this grouped piece will be known as the strut.
7
Instructions for PI 7 Users ONLY

Click on the Transform Tool and then on the Rotate Freely icon as shown in the following image.

 

Ensure that the Rotate by degree is 25.00 and the Copy rotate as Clockwise.

 

Instructions for PI 8, XL, or Pro Users

Click on the Transform Tool

Click on the Rotate Freely icon

Ensure that the Rotate by degree is 25.00 and the Copy rotate as Clockwise.

 

8

Instructions for all versions of PI continues here

On the strut you will see a centre of rotation symbol. Using your mouse, left click on it and whilst holding down the left mouse button drag that symbol to the far right end of the strut. By doing this you will cause a pivot type of rotation in the next step.

Click on the Copy rotate icon 6 times.

 

9

Delete the original strut and then use your layer manager to ensure that the Copper 6 coloured arms are in the top position.

Your fan should now look something like the image shown on the left.

10

White is nice, but lets add a bit of colour to the lace of this fan.

First you need to select the lace by clicking on it and then click on Format/Colour Balance. When the colour balance window opens, ensure that the Smart tab is selected and that the Real-time preview is checked.

By clicking on the lace in the preview window, you will select the current colour which of course is white.

Right click on the desired colour and select the colour you'd like your fan to be.

Click on the preview button to view the changes made and if you're happy with it, then click on OK.

11

Instructions for PI 8, XL, or Pro Users ONLY

Another way, and perhaps easier way to alter the colour of your lace is to click on the Preset tab.

Ensure that the Tone balance is set on Highlight and that Real-time preview is checked.

Move the slider of the Thumbnail variation until you see a selection of thumbnail colours that you particularly like, then start clicking on the thumbnails until the colour you'd like for your fan to be is the centre colour.

Click on the preview button as many times as you like until you're sure that the colour selected is the one you want your lace to be before clicking on the OK button.

 

12

Finally, click on the lace to select it and use the Object Paint Eraser Tool to erase all areas of lace below the arms.

13

Unzip and open the tassel downloaded at the beginning of this tutorial, or create your own tassel to add a finishing touch to your lace fan.

With the Object Paint Eraser Tool still selected, click on the Trim button in the attributes bar.

Now that you have completed your fan, you can right click to select all objects, right click again to group and then save it to your easy palette for future use and because you've not merged anything, you have the option of changing the colour as shown how to do above to suit any image.

I've been playing around with changing the colour of the lace and found that if you duplicate the lace, make it slightly larger and then set it on the lower level, you can create something like this....

 

 

Debisty Designs Tutorial Award

When you have completed this tutorial you are welcome to download and display this award on your web page. As a courtesy, you may wish to display your results on the PhotoImpact International Board. This award is being offered on the honour system. Right-click on image and save to your hard drive.

 


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Debbie Hardisty