tuts by j0eswife

First, open a new canvas 600 x 250. Then, flood fill white. Open your tube and duplicate it into a new window (just use Shift+D). Close the original and leave the duplicate up for reference. Be sure your mask is installed in your mask folder.

Open a paper of your choice – I am using “Paper 3” from the kit. Copy it and paste it onto your white canvas. Go ahead and save now.

Next, copy and paste a 2^nd paper as a new layer. I am using “Paper 1” from the kit. To this layer, apply your mask. I am using WSL_Mask3.

Be sure that “Source luminance” is checked, “Fit to canvas” is checked, “Hide all mask” is checked, and “Invert transparency” is UNchecked.

Now, right-click on your mask layer and choose “Delete.” Then choose “Yes” to merge the mask into the layer below. Right click on the merged layer and choose “Merge,” then choose “Merge Group.” Save again.

To prepare for our avatar – go to Edit>Copy Special>Copy Merged. The Edit>Paste As New Image. Resize this new image. Choose Image>Resize. Under “Advanced settings,” be sure “Lock aspect ratio” is UNCHECKED and “Resize all layers” is CHECKED. I am resizing to 150x150. Use whatever size your forum allows. Save this new image under a different name (I am using Rubylicious Avatar.) Minimize it, we will come back to it later.

Now, back on your tag canvas – paste your tube as a new layer. If you are using the one I supplied, you will notice it is chopped off on the top and sides. Resize it and arrange it so that she is on the far right side of the tag, with her head flush with the top of the tag. See my tag for reference. If you resized your tube, you may want to sharpen it (Adjust>Sharpness>Sharpen). Save.

Now add a drop shadow to your tube. Go to Effects>3D Effects>Drop Shadow. I am using settings 3, 0, 55, 10, color black.

Next, duplicate your tube. Go to Image>Mirror. Save.

Now, open your frame of choice. I am using “RibbonFrame1” from the kit, resized to a height of 250. (If you resize the one from the kit, be sure that “Lock aspect ratio” is CHECKED.) Copy and paste the frame onto your tag. Add a drop shadow. Go to Effects>3D Effects>Drop Shadow. I am using settings 0, 0, 80, 10, color black. Leave the frame for now, this is where your name will be added later…

Open a flower or other accent of choice. I am using “Flower3” from the kit, resized to a height of 50 pixels, then sharpened. Copy and paste the flower onto your tag. Arrange it so that it is at the very bottom center of your tag.

Apply Mura’s Filter Meister: Copies with these settings:

You should now have a line of flowers at the bottom of your tag. Be sure it is ABOVE your tube layers. You can place it above or below your frame layer, whatever you like best. Save.

Now add a drop shadow to your line of flowers. Go to Effects>3D Effects>Drop Shadow. I am using settings 0, 0, 80, 10, color black.

Duplicate the layer with the line of flowers. Go to Image>Flip. Move this new line of flowers layer BELOW your tube layers. Save.

I also added a single flower to the middle of the bow on the frame, and added the same drop shadow as above. That’s completely optional. J

Now add your copyright info, license number (if applicable), and tagger’s mark (if you use one). I used font “Vrinda”, size 16, color white, and added a very small white outer glow. Save.

Finally, add your name. I am using font “Tiranti Solid LET” at a size of 72, stroke set to null, and #dfdfdf for my fill (background) color. Convert to raster layer.

Go to Effects>3D Effects>Drop Shadow. I am using settings 5, 5, 100, 10, color black. Save.

Now we are done with our tag, so you can switch over to the avatar base we created earlier.

You can do the avatar several different ways. Remember that if you use the Alan Ayers tube, you must display his copyrights clearly on the avatar.

To use the tube: copy and paste your tube onto your avatar. Resize and arrange how you like. Sharpen if necessary. Add drop shadow of choice. I used 3, 0, 55, 10, color black. Save.

Next, use the same flower or accent as before. This time, I resized the flower to 25 pixels, then sharpened. Copy and paste the flower onto your avatar. Arrange it so that it is at the very bottom center of your avatar.

Apply Mura’s Filter Meister: Copies with the same settings as before, EXCEPT change the “Number” setting to 8.

You should now have a line of flowers at the bottom of your avatar. Be sure it is ABOVE your tube layers.

Now add a drop shadow to your line of flowers. Go to Effects>3D Effects>Drop Shadow. I am using settings 0, 0, 80, 10, color black.

Duplicate the layer with the line of flowers. Go to Image>Flip. Move this new line of flowers layer BELOW your tube layers. Save.

Now add your copyright info, license number (if applicable), and tagger’s mark (if you use one). I used font “Vrinda”, size 16, color white, and added a very small white outer glow. Save.

Finally, add your name. I am using font “Tiranti Solid LET” at a size of 48, stroke set to null, and #dfdfdf for my fill (background) color. If you want, Image>Free Rotate: Rotate left, 25 degrees. Convert to raster layer.

Go to Effects>3D Effects>Drop Shadow. I am using settings 5, 5, 100, 10, color black. Save and you’re done!

If you don’t want to use the tube: Follow the directions above, skipping the tube and copyright steps. You will have a line of flowers at the top and bottom of your avatar, with your name in the center. OR, you could use the flower at a larger size (100 pixels), copy and paste it onto your avatar canvas, and have your name in black or red. The possibilities are endless!