I'm using Paint Shop Pro 8, but I know
this feature is still in later versions. Ever tried Balls and Bubbles?
They're fun! Here are the easiest beads (or round candies if you're
so inclined) I know how to make.
Start by opening a new raster image
of 100 pixels. At 200 dpi this is going to make you a half-inch
bead, scale-able as are all your picture tubes. Now go to Effects,
Artistic Effects, Balls and Bubbles:
When the options box opens, choose
the "Gold Ball" preset, and select Single Ball and Maximum
possible size. If you haven't ever explored the Balls and Bubbles
feature you'll want to come back later and play with all the various
presets and make some of your own.
Now, you can keep the color or colorize
the bead as you wish. I'll show you how to save as a single tube
and also a multiple tube set, so while you're playing with the colors
make about six different ones.
I see that my bead doesn't go exactly
to the edge of the square. I want it to, so it will rest right up
next to the beads on either side of it (by default, that is, I can
change the setting when I use the tube). I can select it and crop
it to the selection, or I can compensate for it later. It's easiest
to just do it now.
To export your image as a picture tube,
go to File, Export, Picture Tube.
You'll get a pop up box wanting some
information. For the bead we just made, choose these settings. You
only have one cell for one bead. Placement is continuous on beads
so they will meet up. Your step size is the same as your width for
the beads. Selection mode won't matter for just one object. Name
your bead and click OK.
Now your bead will show in your drop
down menu of picture tubes!
If you do end up with a little gap
between beads, this can add to the realism - just add another layer
underneath and paint a "string".
Now, didn't I mention multiple colors?
Did you make picture tubes for all your colors? Want to combine
them for a colorful strand?
I start with a little math. I made
six beads, all different colors. I'll need to get them all on one
image with a grid. So, let's do 3 across and two down. Ninety eight
pixels times three is 294 and times two is 196. So I make an image
with those dimensions: 294 pixels across and a height of 196 pixels.
Now go to View, Grid (just turns on the grid) and then View, Grid,
Change Grid, Guide, & Snap Properties.
Set the Current image settings to 98
on the Horizontal and Vertical - this tells it how big to make each
box, and you will get a set of boxes like the one above.
Now you want to put one of each of
your colors in a gridded box until all six have a place. You can
do this by selecting them and pasting a selection into each box,
or by stamping the tube somewhere on the image and dragging it into
the box. For the latter add a layer each time, then remember to
"Merge Visible" when you have them all like this:
Almost done! Go to File, Export, Picture
Tube, but this time select different settings:
Almost done! Go to File, Export, Picture
Tube, but this time select different settings:
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