Using Paint Shop Pro 7

In this activity you will create a background texture for a webpage. To begin you will need to launch Paint Shop Pro 7 (PSP7). Once the application has become active you should choose File > New (or hit Ctrl + N). You should see the New Image window appear…

Noteworthy Items:

    1. Determines the width and height of your new document. For our purposes 300 x 300 is acceptable. Leave the unit selector (pixels) at pixels as these are the default units usually used in measuring web graphics.

    2. Allows the selection of the default document color. Choose any color except transparent as that will default to white when you save it if you do not provide an underlying layer color (more on this later). Selecting the foreground or background color options will provide the colors shown in the foreground and background color swatches (3). To set a foreground color left mouse click (lmc) in the multi-colored palette. To set a background color right mouse click (rmc) in the multi-colored palette.
      3.

Once we have created a simple document (canvas) we can begin to explore other options. To carry out additional basic operations we need to ensure that we have the proper toolbars available. You should see the tool options and layers toolbars active somewhere on your screen.

If they are not active, you need to activate them by selecting View > Toolbars and clicking on the appropriate check boxes (with the same name).

They may appear slightly different if they are pinned open. Otherwise, if you hover over them, they will expand to show you additional information.

You should next direct your attention to the tool palette (the group of buttons on the left side). Here you will see a variety of buttons that allow you to carry out many different operations.

You may wish to experiment with the paintbrush. To do so click on the paintbrush button. Scribbling on the palette may yield a line of color as set by the foreground color swatch.

You may also need to set a foreground style.

Selecting the top arrow (4) will grant access to the options shown in figure 5. Selecting the paintbrush (5) will yield the presently set foreground color. To change this color either lmc in the multi-colored palette or click on the color that appears in the styles swatch (that will bring up a color selector window).

You should now be able to scribble a line in your chosen color.

If you wish to modify the properties of the line (i.e. the line thickness), you should hover over the tool options palette. From there you could modify the size, shape of your brush, etc.

Returning to figure 5, you may also choose the second option that would allow you to scribble with a gradient. The foreground color determines the first color to be included in the gradient the background color set the second color. The third option allows you to scribble with a pattern.

If you choose the picture tubes button, you will be able to scribble with preset pictures. You may select a different picture by hovering over the tool options toolbar.

Now that we have identified (and set) several of the environmental controls we can move on to the activity…

In this activity you will:

    1. Review the foreground color selection process.
    2. (Possibly) change the fill color.
    3. Create and work with a new layer.
    4. Learn to use the layer opacity slider.
    5. Attempt to create background texture which does not interfere with the contrast of included text.

To begin create a new document (image). If decide to change the fill color select a new foreground color and use the fill tool to place the new color in the image area.

Select Layers > New Raster Layer. Click OK.

Hover over the layer palette. Notice the 2 separate layers (background and layer1). Notice that layer1 is darkened. This indicates that it is the currently selected layer. If, at a later point in time, you wish to experiment with different background layer colors you will need to return to the layer palette and select the background layer. Leave layer one selected for now.

Select a different foreground color. Use the fill tool to cover the entire layer.

Choose effects > Texture Effects > Blinds. A window pops up showing you a before and after preview of your image. If you wish to preview the image click the eye. You may experiment with the blind color, width and opacity. Try to select a complementary color, slide the width all the way down to 2 and experiment with the opacity slider. When you are happy with it, click OK.

Return to the layer palette and notice the opacity slider next to the glasses. Decrease the opacity slider slowly and notice how the background layer begins to become visible. When you are happy with the result, simply leave the layer palette.

Click the rectangular selection tool from the left toolbar. From near the center of your image, create a 50 x 50 selection. Look in the lower left corner as you begin to drag open your selection. 4 sets of numbers appear in parentheses. Ensure that the third set (the one after the = sign) reads 50 x 50. Release the left mouse button. Select Edit > Copy Merged form the menu. Select Edit > Paste > As New Image.

Save the new image as a .jpg file. In your (new) webpage use the tag <body background="your_image_name.jpg">.