Skill Level: beginners-Advanced
Items you will need to complete this tutorial
Any "Filter" that you like for creating the silvering of the Celtic Frame.
An image for framing. The image must be able to fit into the center of the frame. Don't worry if the image you chose is larger than the center of the frame as that will be taken care of at some point in the tutorial. If you have only small images say 400 wide or less that the frame can be resized "Before" the image is placed.
Make sure you "Save" often as we will be working "large" at
700 X 700 transparent.
Step 1:
Open a new transparent image size 700 X 700.
Step 2:
Add a new layer and flood fill the layer with black. We will be deleting this layer later, it is needed so you can see the positioning of the "Celtic Frame" pieces.
Step 3:
Make your Text Tool the active tool, turn off the foreground color and make the background color white.
Step 4:
Using the text tool set your setting like these below: The size is 145 if you cannot read it.
Step 5:
In the text box that opens use "Capital" letter A and while still a vector image move it to the top on your image.
Step 6:
Go Objects/Align/Horizontal Center and then right click on the layer in the layer control box and choose "Convert to Raster".
Step 7:
Right click on the new raster layer (the one the font is on) and choose "Duplicate". Now go Image "Flip"
Step 8:
Now "Duplicate" the "Flipped" layer.
Step 9:
Make the copy of the active layer and go Image/Rotate Freely and use the settings below.
Step 10:
Using the "Mover" tool position the rotated layer so it's positioned between the top and bottom of your image. Like below. You may need to make your canvas size larger so that the "links" do not go out of bounds and also you may need to use the "Pick" tool (if using PSP 10) to make the side just a little "Longer" in order to have the top and bottom of the chain touching the top and bottom chains.
Step 11:
Duplicate the side layer and go Image/Mirror. As is step 10 you may need to use both the "Pick" and "Move" tools so that you end up with this.
Step 12:
It's now time to add your image, so open it up and arrange it so that is on top of your Frame image like this.
Step 13:
Go to your layer control box and left click and "HOLD THE CLICK" while dragging that image layer Over to the Frame layer. Once you have it over the "Frame" image let go the left click and your image will be centered on your Frame Layer like this.
Don't panic we will be fixing things now.
Step 14:
In the Layer control move the image layer down so it is below the frame layer.
Step 15:
If your image does NOT fill the center portion of the frame you need to resize your "Frame" layer only until it does. You will also need to do an Adjust Sharpness/UnSharp Mask if you resize use the settings below I find them to be good settings.
Step 16:
Now "Crop" your whole image to a more manageable size by keeping as close to the outside edges of the frame as possible without cutting any of the frame off.
Step 17:
Make the "Frame" layer the active layer and using your Magic Wand Tool click in the center of the frame.
Step 18:
Leaving the marching ants marching make your image layer the active layer and then go Selections/Invert and then hit your delete key once or twice.
I purposely left the frame layer the last to give it's shine or jewels what ever you want to do with it. I am using Super Blade Pro with a Silver preset that I made myself just for this image.
Step 19:
Make your frame layer the active layer and your selection tool the active tool set to rectangle then go Selections/Select All and gently touch the frame so that all is selected.
Step 20:
Apply your silver, or gold or what ever you wish to the frame.
Step 21:
Delete the "Black" layer you no longer need it.
Step 22:
You can add a drop shadow to the frame or not the choice is yours. Make sure all layers are open then right click any layer and choose Merge/Merge Visible. Resize your image and your done.
All Tutorials, Images, and Styles © Lady Gem 2007
Except those images attributed to someone else.