Description: Create a nice greeting card using an edge mask with various merge modes and transparencies. And learn how to create an object with soft edges using the Lasso Tool
Author: Wouter Démoet.
Terms of Use: Please read
Skill Level: Beginner. I assume you know where the tools are in PhotoImpact.
Additional Files: A mask and a photo of your choice or you may use mine. Please download from here


NOTE: Save your work often. I suggest you read the entire tutorial, before you start. Where it reads "Rc" in this tutorial, it means right click. And if you need help, or if you have any suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact me at:
wouter@demoet.nl

Open the wd-edge mask in PhotoImpact. Click New Image - Color: White - Check the : Active image radio button. PI will open a new image with the same dimensions as the mask. Minimize the mask. Rc.: Import Selection and click the wd-edge-mask.



Minimize the mask. Rc.: Import Selection and click the wd-edge-mask.



Rc.: Store Selection. We will need it again later. Rc.: Convert to Object. Menu bar: Edit - Fill - Color tab and fill the object with #E3BBD2. Deselect. Rc.: Load Selection. Rc.: Expand/Shrink - Shrink the selection with 2 pixels:



Open the wd-azalea photo. Rc.: Copy and minimize it. In the Menu bar - Paste - Fit into Selection:



Rc.: Arrange - Bring to Front. Keep selected. Click F3 on your keyboard to open your Layer Manager: Your top layer should be selected. Change the Merge Mode from Always to Soft Light and increase the Transparency to 55%:



Keep Selected. In the Menu bar: Photo - Sharpen - Emphasize Edges - Options - Level: 2.



Rc.: Select All Objects. Rc.: Merge as a Single Object. Set the Tranparency of the object to 35%. Your image should look similar to this:



Deselect. Load Selection again. R.: Border. 2 Pixels Inward. Convert to Object. Arrange: Bring to Front and Fill with ##D599BB. Set the Transparency of this layer to 50%.



Select all Objects, Merge as a Single Object and Deselect. Save this file as: background-ufo and minimize it.


Open the azalea photo and change to your Lasso Tool with the Attribute Toolbar set like so:



Create a selection by clicking within the center flower. Complete your selection by clicking on the node where you started. No need to be acurate, the soft edge is very forgiving ;-).



Rc.: Convert to Object. Keep selected. Rc.: Copy. Minimize the photo and maximize your background file and paste the misted flower object onto your image. Rc.: Properties - Position & Size tab:



Duplicate the flower and Flip it Horizontally. Arrange: Send Backward. Rc.: Properties - Position & Size tab:



Press your Ctrl key and select both flower objects. Merge as a Single Object and Menu bar: Adjust: Resize this object to 75%.



Menu bar: Photo - Focus - Options - Auto-adjust. Rc.: Properties - Position & Size tab:



Deselect. We would have a big problem now if we wouldn't have stored our first selection. We don't want the flowers to go over the edge of the background. Let's fix that. Rc.: Load Selection. Rc.: Invert. Change to your Standard Selection Tool and in the Attribute Toolbar click the

Select on Object button. In your Layer Manager make sure that your flower object is selected. Hit the Delete key on your keyboard. Deselect. Rc.: None. With a nice font of your choice add a greeting to your card. Select All Objects. Merge as a Single Object. Save as a transparent gif or jpg. Whatever you prefer. Don't forget to optimize your work.


That is all, I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial as much as I liked writing it for you.