Easy Vase from Graphic

 

Created July 5, 2001 © Copyright Moon's Designs
Please do not copy or place this tutorial or any graphics to any other place without written permission directly from me. Thank you

 

I was amazed at just how easy it is to make a beautiful vase out of a graphic using nothing but PSP, that's right NO plugin filters for this one *S*, and what is even better I didn't have to draw a thing or use Mr. Vector (big thanks to Syn for that nickname for the Vector tool!) I had received my weekly WET from one of the groups that I am in and, as usual, was playing around with different things. All of a sudden I had a vase and when I sent it in to the group I had several requests for a tutorial. This vase is very easy to do ~~ the hard part was recreating what I had done because I had fooled around with so many different things **giggle** So, by popular demand, here we go.

This tutorial is written in and for PSP Version 7 and assumes you have a working knowledge of PSP at abeginners level.I am sure this can easily be done in Version 6 with a few adjustments in paths but I have only used Version 7 so I can't make any promises *S*

10-1-01 This tutorial just received an award from PSPmadeEZ for Best Tutorial of the Week (9-19-01) as voted on by the Members. Thank you so much! They have also sent me their results and you can view them HERE.

You will need:

JASC's PSP (30 day free trial)- You can get it HERE
A Graphic ~~ I used Romantic Day by Jim Warren. Mr. Warren has graciously given me permission to use all of his works in my tutorials. You can view his other masterpieces at his website HERE.

**NOTE: Try to use a graphic that is lighter on the top than at the bottom. If the graphic you really want to use if lighter on the bottom you can always flip the image (don't forget to sharpen if you do) so the lighter part is on the top. I did this with another graphic and it worked out fine.

Step 1:
Open your image in PSP and make a copy of it (Shift + D). The main reason for making a copy is in case I want to use the image again and forget to change the name when I save *S* You can close the original.

Step 2:
Depending on the size of your graphic you may want to reduce it by 75%. If you resize it don't forget to go to Effects --> Sharpen --> Sharpen.

Step 3:
Go to your Layer palette, right click on background and promote to layer. The reason we want it to become a layer is when we do the next step you will now have a transparent background.

Step 4:
Go to Effects -->Geometric-->Circle. Your image should now look like this:
Images are shown smaller than what you will have to reduce download time.

Step 5:
Using your Deformation Tool push each side in approximately 25-30 pixels, push down the middle top square approximately 10-15 pixels, push up the middle bottom square the same amount and then push in each side until you have your vase shaped the way you want it. This is all entirely up to you how fat or skinny you want you vase to be. When you have your image shaped the way you want it double click to apply your deformation. NOW go to Effects-->Sharpen-->Sharpen. It is important anytime that you resize, deform, flip, or rotate your image that you sharpen it up, otherwise you will end up having a fairly blurred product.

Step 6
Using your Selection Tool ~~ Set at Rectangle, Feather 0, Antialias checked, we want to trim a small area at the bottom of your image. Draw your rectangle out across the very bottom portion of the oval image, then I'll show you how to delete the rectangle to trim off the bottom so it will sit level. Press Edit-->Clear (or hit the delete button). Deselect and save. Below is the selection before deleting.

Step 7:
Now we have to trim up the top. Change your selection tool to Ellipse keeping the feather at 0 and antialias checked. Go to the top, middle part of your image and pull out and up making a small ellipse over the top of your "vase". When you are satisfied delete it.

Your vase should now look like this:

Step 8:
We are now going to apply an inner bevel to give it a little shape. Go to Effects-->3D Effects-->Inner Bevel and apply the following settings:
Don't forget to save your vase. *S*

Step 9:
Now it's time to make a rim for your vase. Using your selection tool change it back to rectangle and draw a rectangle around the top of your vase, again how much depends on the size you want your rim. Go to Selections-->Float. (The image below shows what it will look like before floating

Step 10:

We are now going to apply one more inner bevel and we will be almost done *S* Go to Effects-->3d-->Inner Bevel and apply the following settings:
Do not deselect just yet ~~ check out the next step first *S*

Step 11:
You now have a choice that you can make, this is entirely up to you. I have made several vases since yesterday and have done it both ways.

Choice #1: If you are satisfied with the way your rim looks on your vase after applying the inner bevel then just deselect (Ctrl + D or go to Selections-->Select None) and then go to Step 12.

Choice #2: If you are like me and want to play around with the rim a bit THEN go to your layer pallet and right click on Floating Selection and promote to layer. Take your deformation tool and play around with it until the rim is exactly the way you want it. Remember PSP 7 is very forgiving and you can always undo what you have done. **winks**

New Choice #3: Keep selected and add your favorite SBP Gold Preset or ULead Gold (Or preset of your choice)

Step 12:
You're done! Okay, if you opted for choice #2 then you have to merge visible your layers but other than that you are basically all done with your vase. You can now tube your new creation for later use (I always do that when creating anything that I might want to use again later), you can add a new layer and send it to the bottom and put a background in and add flowers or you can just add flowers and use it as a gif. The possibilites are enormous.

I hope that you enjoyed this tutorial as much as I enjoyed making it for you. Many thanks to Elkay, Anneli, and Randie for testing this tutorial.

Some of the other vases I have done using this technique are:

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