PSPMadeEZ Current Tutorials List

Below are the current week tutorials for PSPMadeEZ group members.
The examples and links will be updated here as new postings are added.

*NOTE: This page is updated regularly, so if you visit often,
please use your refresh icon, or hit the F5 key.

Please keep in mind our 300KB post size and if your compressed .jpg
is no larger than 210KB (less if using Incredimail), your email will fall within EZ guidelines.

** Many tutorial writers say they never hear from folks who are using and learning from their tutorials, and even more rarely ever get to view results. Please take a moment and write your fantastic tutorial authors. Tell them how you felt about doing their tutorials. If you feel comfortable, send them a copy of your results. You will be pleased that you did! Feedback is always great and it inspires our great tut writers to write more tutorials for us to enjoy. Thank you! **

~ Super Sunday Scraps ~

* SSS *

05-24-09
"Chicago; Tutorial
by Carolaine and Sensibility

This weeks choice is from Carolaine and Sensibility....a reasonably new tutorial....I love the scrappy look of this. Hope you enjoy playing with the alpha channels they are famous for....
The tutorial can be found here:

The tutorial can be found here:
http://www.carolaineweb.us/www_cmv/chicago/index.htm?agree=0
If you need help please reply to the original email post and I will try to help...

Whatever you do, enjoy and make it your own. :-) Hugs

Susi
SSS Moderator

~ Challenge of the Week ~

* COW *

05-25-09
"Twilight Zone"Tutorial

NOTE: This tutorial is not for beginners! She assumes you know your way around PSP and Animation Shop, although there are a few screen shots provided. Please read this email in its entirety for important tips and keep it until you are done with the tut. You'll be glad you did!

Remember, your image should be no larger than 210kb. This will ensure that your email sent to the group will be under the 300kb limit. You really need to pay attention to the placement of the layers in this tut. But I'm sure you will all be able to do this. This was presented to the group way back in 2002, so some of you may have done this one. But I think it's fun to bring back some of the older tuts for the newer members. :-)

You'll find the tut here...
http://www.whisperscorner.com/tuts/ww-tzonetag/index.html

When you respond with your send to the group, please don't reply but send a new mail to pspmdeez@yahoogroups and include COW or Challenge of the Week in the subject. Please do NOT use asterisks in your subject, as that is reserved for Moderator uses.

Thanks!

I am looking forward to seeing your creations! If you need help, please reply to the original email post.

Di-ana
COW Moderator

~ Tags on Tuesday ~

* TOT *

05-26-09
"Dior Homme Tag"Tutorial
By Dream Graphics

This weeks TOT is a simple tag. Uses a couple of filters which the tutorial writer does not supply links for ... please follow these links to get the filters.

FM Tile Tools - Blend Emboss
http://www.fantasticmachines.com/store/index.php?cPath=22

If you don't want to buy this filter, you can just download the demo, as it has blend emboss as one of the filters available for full use.
There is no limit on how many times you use this demo, it is a good one to have :o)

DSB Flux - Blast
http://www.photoshop-filters.com/html/dsb_flux.htm

NOTE: DG-mirror.jgd is put into your gradients folder

This tutorial is done in PSP9, and should be ok for all versions above PSP8. The selection will not work for anything below PSP8, so if you have PSP7 you may need to manually select that area with your rectangle selection tool. I don't have PSP7 on my computer to test this, but I am sure that selection files changed after PSP8.

I don't foresee any other glitches with this tutorial, but as always, please contact me privately if you do run into trouble, and we can chat privately. If you do need help, let me know what version of PSP you are using at the time you request help.

You will find this tutorial here http://www.dreamgraphics.us/dhomme.html

Have fun!

Hugs Gina
TOT Moderator

~ Beginner ~

* Beginner *

05-27-09
"Heart Tag" Tutorial
By The Way You Live

Rated Beginner Level "1-2"

I worked this Tutorial in PSP9, but it should work well in any version. There are no outside Filters/Plug-ins used.

I really enjoyed working this lovely Tutorial. She even includes an extra Tube for you in case you'd rather use it for your project.

***HINTS: When Lorilei talks about 'hitting the delete key", make sure you are on the correct Layers she mentions so the excess parts of the images hanging over will be deleted.
You will see the layers you are working on and want on the layer palette. Move your mouse over them and they will highlight for you.

I'm looking forward to your results. Great work everyone!. :) Just have fun playing and I know you'll enjoy your time in PSP.

If you have any problems you can always reply to the original email post.

~~Heart Tag~~
http://www.thewayyoulive.net/freebies/Heart/heart.htm

Linda
Beginner Moderator

~ Intermediate ~

* Intermediate *

05-27-09
"Spring Frog" Tutorial

A very bright, very simple and very fun tut this week. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

No outside filters. Using Coloured Foil this is a really neat tut.

It is really simple so let your imagination run wild!! I used the same settings for the text also.

Here is another using a TOW

Example 2
Enjoy and make it your own

You will find the tutorial HERE

I look forward to seeing your results! If you have any problems please reply to the original email post.

Chris
Intermediate Moderator

~ This 'N That ~

* TNT *

05-28-09
"~Creating and Saving Preset Shapes~" Tutorial
by Elena

It's vector time! This tutorial gives great tips for vectors along the way to creating your own preset shape. I hope you enjoy this tutorial as well as I did. Please do not feel stuck in flowers, you are free to create any shape you choose to create your preset shape with. In my sample above, the white flower is my original, the two on either side simply have color changes. The two on the bottom were recolored, then fine leather used on the pink center, noise applied to the other center, and rough leather was applied to the petals in each with the colors being the only differences. To apply any effect, you can simply right click on the layer and choose "create raster selection". This places the effect on the selection and puts it on the top of the image. I'm not sure which version this started in however, but it sure was slick;O) I didn't have to create a whole separate image...oh yes! Remember, effects can only be applied to raster layers, not vectors.

For reference I used a tube for the basic structure of my flower, that way I didn't have to learn how to draw at the same time;O) I found it quite helpful to group my layers and keep them that way...was easier for editing later. Not sure about the other versions, but in X2 (which is what I used for this project) when you choose the edit a box encloses the entire item, simply by clicking in that box you are then able to edit each node. This tutorial can be done in any version from 7 up. The tutorial was written in version 9, and I used X2.

If you have any questions or need help, just reply to the original email (please designate which version of PSP you are working with). Whatever you do, play and let your creative juices flow. You'll find the tutorial at Preset Shape Flower Tutorial by Elena.

Suzie
TNT Moderator

~ Friday Framing Fun ~

*Friday Framing Fun*

05-29-09
"Old Picture Frame" Tutorial
by Woven

This weeks FFF is a wonderful frame tutorial by Woven. You will learn some neat tricks (no outside filters) along with how to export your results as a PSP picture frame.

It looks like there are a lot of steps, but that's because she takes the time to break down each one, making it easier for a beginner to complete.

Keeping track of where you are is important. You can highlight a sentence or a step number on the web page by holding down your left mouse button and dragging across the area you want highlighted, this always helps me when doing a tut.

Although written using PSPX2, I completed it in version 9 with no problem.

If you run into a problem or need assistance,
please reply to the original email post.

You'll find the tutorial here...
Old Picture Frame Tutorial

I hope you enjoy this tutorial as much as I did!

Hugs,
Frannie
FFF - MOW Moderator

~ Blends ~

*Blends*

05-30-09
"Freedom Blend" Tutorial
by Miss Daisy

TThis week's BLENDS is by Miss Daisy and translated by Ellie's Treasures. 2 separate Supplies zips - 1 for PSP8 and up, 1 for lower versions. 4 different Plugin filters are used - links provided. Tut site has old link for MuRa Meister plugin filter so if you don't have it, download here:

Download MuRa's Meister:
http://www.photoshop-filters.com/html/mura.htm<

Remember that you need to shutdown and reopen PSP after installing new plugins for them to be available in your dropdown list.

TIPS:

1) I used other images and gradient colors for my sample and then used the Change to Target brush to recolor the flower tube.
2) If you download the newer version of OpticVerveLabs, you'll need to click on each of the tabs and dropdowns to find the effects used in the tut's screenshots. The same will be true for Harry's Filters. I have 2 versions: one is listed in Plugins as "Harry's Filters" while the other is listed as "The Plugin Site".
3) I did not use the brush provided for Step 23 for my sample.

THIS WEEK'S BLEND TUT:
Freedom Blend by Miss Daisy (trans. by Ellie's Treasures):
http://www.ellies-treasures.com/missdaisy/freedom-psp/freedom-psp.html

Take your time, thoroughly reading tutorial, and have fun! I look forward to your creations. If you need any assistance please reply to the original email post.

God bless..

Diana
Blends Moderator

~ FOM ~ Font of the Month ~

* FOM *

05-09
"May Font"

I do so hope you have fun with this tutorial if you choose to use it. Even if you don't usually play with vectors, you might consider this one....and it even might get you over the fear of them. For editing them use a magnifying glass if you have to;O) Geoff explains the concepts fairly simply but does assume you know your way around PSP. Note the differences in node types and how they react.

PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST USE ONE OF THESE FONTS: Lion King, Noodle Script, or Yiggivoo. All of these fonts can be found here and were used in this order in my presentation above. Simply put the font name in the search box on the upper right side. You may opt out of the tutorial, but you CANNOT use any other fonts than one of these. Simply put FOM or Font of the Month in your subject line (without the presentation subject line or asterisks) when you post your results.

In the beginning when he states to "convert the text to curves", you then have to select "as single shape" on the flyout to continue with nodes in place once you've selected the pen tool for editing. This and other "how-to's" you can find out by clicking on the text in blue color through the tutorial. It can be done in any version, but the earlier versions may not be done in the same manner. I trust you've had plenty of time to learn about vectors in 7 & 8 by now so it shouldn't present any issues.

If you have any questions or need help, just reply to the original email(please designate which version of PSP you are working with). Whatever you do, play and let your creative juices flow.

May 2009 Font-of-the-Month Tutorial
Alter A Font by Geoff:
http://wgadesign.com/graphics/a.html

Suzie ~ PSPmadeEZ Moderator