Wavy Frame Tag Tutorial

Faux Mask Tag Tutorial by Meshi  

Written September 26, 2021

You will see a number of notes and optional things you could do. This was necessary due to testing a variety of images and seeing their results and wanting the very best outcome for your particular hand chosen artwork.   

Needed:

Paint Shop Pro (I used XV).

No outside filters are needed. 

An image/Tube (I used one I purchased through Creative Fabrica.)

Notes:
You will need one with colors spread throughout, not mainly in one area.
Using a tube that is somewhat close to the same width and height would be ideal.
The one I used for the circular faux mask, sized down to upcoming dimensions was
426 width x 550 height, which is still great, because we can change our mask width.

 

Let's get started!

1. File > Open 

Your tube

 

2. Window > Duplicate

(You can now close out the original.)

3. Image > Resize 

Pixel Dimensions 

Height/Width = 550 Pixels on largest side 

Resample using: Weighted Average

Lock aspect ratio = Checked

Resize all layers = Checked

Note: We will sharpen our image toward the end, since we may adjust it.

 

4.  Layers > Duplicate

5. Image > Canvas Size 

New Dimensions 

Width: 600 Pixels

Height: 600

Placement = Middle box

6. Layers > New Raster Layer

7. Layers > Arrange > Send to Bottom

8. Flood Fill Tool

Match mode: None

Use all layers = Unchecked

Blend mode: Normal

Opacity : 100

Flood Fill your background with white. This is so we can see what everything looks like better. We will get rid of  it later.

9. Dropper Tool

Choose a dark (Left click on image), and a medium color

(Right click on image), that would be great for your name.

10. Layers > New Raster Layer

11. Flood Fill Tool

Flood Fill with your background color.

12. Layers Palette

Highlight your original tube (Raster 1)

13. Effects > Image Effects > Seamless Tiling

Tiling method = Corner

Direction = Horizontal

Horizontal offset = 0

Transition (%) = 40

14. Effects > Image Effects > Seamless Tiling

Change Direction to Vertical.

Vertical offset will now show as zero.

15. Layers > Merge > Merge Down

16. Effects > Art Media Effects > Brush Strokes

Note: Give it some time to load, both as you set  your numbers, and more after you click OK.

Softness: 100 

Bristles: 256

Width: 20 

Opacity: 100  

Length: 20

Density: 100 

Angle: 359 

Color: *White

*If you are using a tube with mostly light colors, use your dark color instead of white.

17. Freehand Selection Tool

Selection type: Smart Edge 

Mode: Add (Shift)

Feather: 5 

Smoothing: 0 

Anti-alias = Checked

Use all layers = Unchecked 

Click each corner, with the two arms of the tool touching the edges of your image.

 

*If you prefer to use your guide in the lower right of your PSP instead of  those "arms", do the following: 

Use these numbers to click on (or close to them -it doesn't have to be precise):

x:27    y:27
x:27    y:573
x:573  y:573
x:573  y:27
x:27    y:27

*Either way you do it: Double click where you first began to complete selection. See my example:

Tube faded on purpose.

 

18. Selections > Invert

19. Edit > Clear

20. Selections > Select None

Do steps 21 and 22 if you would prefer a rounded tag:

21. Effects > Geometric Effects > Circle

Edge mode = Transparent

Note: If you think your "mask" is too small, we will change it soon.

 

22. Move Tool

Move your image where you would like it, since changing to a circle behind it changes things just a bit.

Note: If  think your image is too large for your faux mask , no worries, you will have the chance to resize soon.

23. Pick Tool (Optional step)

Mode: Scale

Pull nodes on each side to just past your image, or where you'd like, depending on how it looks with your tube.

Tube faded on purpose.

Note: If you want to change it up some more, change Mode to Shear, and play with edges of your faux mask until it is how you like it best.

* When finished, you'll want to click on your move tool or such to be done with your pick tool now.

 

 

Optional Step if you think your "mask" looks too flat:

24. Adjust > Brightness and Contrast >  Fill Light/ Clarity (It is listed just as Clarity in earlier versions.)
Play with the settings until you get something you like.
You can start with 5 for both and decide from there how much Fill Light you'd like, and/or even change Clarity.

25. Palette Layers

Highlight your top layer.

26.  Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow

Vertical: 2

Horizontal: 0

Opacity: 90

Blur: 64

Color: Black

Or use whatever looks best with your image.

27. Palette Layers

Highlight your Faux Mask Layer 

28. Layers > Duplicate

29. Layers > Arrange > Move Down

30. Effects > Artistic Effects > Hot Wax Coating

You may lower your opacity to your liking in your layers palette.

Depending on the image I'll choose between 80 and 100.

OR

Close off this layer if you don't care for it.

31. Gamma Correction (Shift+G) (Optional Step)
Move the slider to the left if you want a darker shadow.
AND/OR highlight your faux mask layer and change to your preference.

Optional Step if you think your tube is too large:

32. Image > Resize
Change Pixels to Percent
Width and Height = 95 (90 if you need your tube smaller)
Resize all layers = Unchecked
Repeat this step if needed, until you are happy with the size.

 

33. Adjust > Sharpness > Unsharp Mask

Settings = High Res Portrait which is:

Radius: 1.50

Strength: 100

Clipping: 10

Luminance only = Checked

Or use any setting of your choice.

 

 

34. Palette Layers
Highlight your top layer.

 

 

35. Text Tool

Font: Your choice  (I used Yesterday Dream from dafont.com.)

Size 16

Note that I am sharing what I used. Your PSP may show quite a size difference. So feel free to choose your own.

Units: Points 

Bold

Align Center 

First Direction

Sharp

Stroke Width 1

Kerning -75 * or your choice

36. Layers Palette

Right click on text and Convert to Raster Layer

37. Effects > 3D Effects > Inner Bevel

Bevel 2

Width: 8

Smoothness: 17

Depth: 3

Ambience: 0

Shininess: 14

Color: White

Angle: 248

Intensity: 28

Elevation:63

38. Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow

Same as before, or choose your own.

39. Layers > New Layer

Add your copyright information.

40. Layers Palette

Hide white background layer.

41. Crop Tool

Choose Merged Opaque

Double Click or use the Apply checkmark

42. File > Save As

I like to save as png for the clearest image.

You can save as jpg if you'd like less kbs.

You are done! I hope you enjoyed it!

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This Tutorial was Made by Meshi September 26, 2021. 

I'd like to thank Barbara of https://www.lismibaebi.com/ for testing this so very well.

I'd love to see your results. :)