Using Preset shapes in PSP XI

[Crafts]

I am trying to cut some of my pictures into shapes. I have been unsuccessful. :confused: I have used the shapes icon and the selections. I can get a faint outline when I promote the selection to a layer, but even the steps in the user's guide is not helping. I have tried inverting the selection and deleting the part of the picture outside the shape and nothing is happening. Is there a tutorial on this? Thanks.

[Maikku]

What I do is I make a selection.... then float it ctrl+F, promote it to a selection ctrl+shift+P. Now it should be on it's own layer. Make sure you have the correct layer selected (your photo) when you do this. If you need to move the selection you can do so by holding down the right mouse button.

Presets are vectors your can make the shape then promote it to a raster (layers-promote to raster) then put it over your picture reduce opacity ( the 100% thing you see in the layer palette) so that you can see your picture. You can now size it and shape it the way you want it. When you are happy with it copy all (the shape layer) contl+a, then again float it ctrl+F and promote ctrl+shft+p to a selection. Then choose your picture layer and do the same thing. I hope that makes sense let me know how it goes. :)

[Crafts]

I tried that and still got the cut out shape in the middle of the picture, but the area around the shape was still there.

[Crafts]

Thanks for all your help. I FINALLY got it to work!!! :)

[Maikku]

Great!! I'm glad to hear you go it working. :tup:

[prodigal1978]

What I do is I make a selection.... then float it ctrl+F, promote it to a selection ctrl+shift+P. Now it should be on it's own layer. Make sure you have the correct layer selected (your photo) when you do this. If you need to move the selection you can do so by holding down the right mouse button.

Presets are vectors your can make the shape then promote it to a raster (layers-promote to raster) then put it over your picture reduce opacity ( the 100% thing you see in the layer palette) so that you can see your picture. You can now size it and shape it the way you want it. When you are happy with it copy all (the shape layer) contl+a, then again float it ctrl+F and promote ctrl+shft+p to a selection. Then choose your picture layer and do the same thing. I hope that makes sense let me know how it goes. :)

Got some silly questions for you Maikku :doh:

How do you make a "circle" selection? The only option I have is for a square(regular selection), use the lasso tool (which will be messy :doh: ) or the magic wand thingy which won't do a full shape....it just picks colors or weird areas.

What is floating?

What do you mean by promote it to a selection (uh, I thought it was already selected :doh: )?

I"ll go and try your instructions again. Sorry, I'm just a little bit slow at this. :doh:

[prodigal1978]

Didn't work at all. Not even close. Still all I see is a faint circle around my picture from the preset shape layer I merged it with.

[Maikku]

Float means separating selection from the original layer, then when you promote it, the selection will be on its own layer. When you close the eye thingy on your layer the one you made the selection from you should now be able to see your selection on its own layer. For selections you choose the selection tool on the left side of your workspace. then on top there is a dropdown menu where you can choose your shape oval round etc. Let me know what you are having problem with. :)

[Maikku]

Just to make it more clear ..I hope this does...

Originally Posted by Maikku
Selections What I do is I make a selection.... then float it ctrl+F, promote it to a selection ctrl+shift+P. Now it should be on it's own layer. Make sure you have the correct layer selected (your photo) when you do this. If you need to move the selection you can do so by holding down the right mouse button.

Presets are vectors your can make the shape then promote it to a raster (layers-promote to raster) then put it over your picture reduce opacity ( the 100% thing you see in the layer palette) so that you can see your picture. You can now size it and shape it the way you want it. When you are happy with it copy all (the shape layer) contl+a, then again float it ctrl+F and promote ctrl+shft+p to a selection. Then choose your picture layer and do the same thing. I hope that makes sense let me know how it goes.