Torn Edges in Paint Shop Pro 8

1. Open a new image and fill it with your paper color.

2. Select your eraser tool. From the brush menu, select a round brush and make it small. I used the following settings for this tutorial:

3. With your eraser, make a jagged line across your image, where you want your paper to look torn. Erase everything above your line.

4. To add a white edge to your tear, choose the magic wand tool. Change the tolerance to 80, the Feather to 3 and be sure anti-alias is checked. Click anywhere in your erased area (not on your paper). Click SELECTIONS > MODIFY > EXPAND. I chose to expand by 10 for my sample, but you can choose a larger area. Hit okay.

5. With the area still selected, click ADJUST > BRIGHTNESS AND CONTRAST > BRIGHTNESS/CONTRAST. For the sample, I chose Brightness:100 and Contrast"-100, but adjust the settings to get an effect you like. Click okay, then SELECTIONS > SELECT NONE.

6. The basics are now complete. You might add shadows to make the torn paper pop off the page, or add noise for a more realistic looking paper. Play with the settings until you get a look you like.