Nautical Frame TUT per request

[NRiceDesigns]

NOTE: This post was edited 29 July 2006.

Per request, I have written a tutorial (TUT) for my nautical frame.

There are two ways to view the TUT

(1) To view the TUT with embedded screenshots, click the link below

http://nricedesigns.smugmug.com/

From my SmugMug gallery, select the gallery Photoshop TUT - Nautical Frame
You will be asked to enter a password = PET
Click on each page to view the tutorial.(2) You can read the TUT within this thread (See Version #2 TUT below) & click on the links in the SmugMug.com gallery to view screenshots as desired.

I would appreciate feedback at this forum thread if you experience problems with the TUT. Additionally, I would like to know whether you found it easy to follow.

Thanks again for your compliments on my Nautical Frame.

Nita

[lindajay]

Nita, how nice of you to take the time to do this! I look forward to finding a little time to try it out. Thank you.

[NRiceDesigns]

FYI: In case someone has already checked out the TUT, I just now added an additional page. Enjoy!

[Dorrie H.]

Nita,
First of all, Thank you for taking the time to do the tutorial, however trying to read your instructions on your web page is just way too small for my poor eyes.

Would it be at all possible to get the Word document that you said you created the tut in.? I can understand if you would rather not do this, just say so, and I'll move on.

Dorrie

[BettyC]

Thank you, Nita! I put each page into Word & printed it out to try. It looks very clear & concise to me.

[NRiceDesigns]

Dorrie, I deleted the Word version after making it an Elements file.

When you go to the gallery, you see 10 thumbnail pages on the left with one larger file on the right. If you click that larger image, it will open into a window of its own & you can view it larger.

Another thing you could try is to right-click on each larger size image (page)to save it to your hard drive, then open it in Elements & print it.

I hope this works for you.

Betty, I'm glad you were able to print it in Word. It should have printed as an 8x10 (I hope)??

Originally I'd planned to post it on the forum, but I wanted to include the images. I didn't want to put the images on Pixentral because the links expire after awhile.

[Dorrie H.]

Thank you Nita,
I did try saving the large image, but it's still a little difficult to read, but I'll manage it.:) Thank you again for the tutorial.

Edited: I just discovered that I could make the web site image much larger and was able to save them the M/S Word. Hurray!!!!

Dorrie

[NRiceDesigns]

NOTE: Screenshots of this TUT are in my SmugMug gallery http://nricedesigns.smugmug.com/gallery/1711344 (http://nricedesigns.smugmug.com/gallery/1711344).
Password = PET.

The cover page of that site has an image of the Nautical Frame. Thereafter are 9 TUT pages & 1 montage page of frame versions made using the template created from the TUT. Corresponding pages SmugMug gallery screenshots are indicated in parenthesis in red italics.

1. My blue nautical frame actually began life as a candle photo!
(See Pg 1 of SmugMug TUT)


2. I used the Rectangular Marquee Tool to select a very narrow section of the fluted vessel lip, pressed CTRL {CMD on a Mac}+J to duplicate the selection onto a new layer. I then pulled the pixels & came up with a glossy red background. (Pg 1)



3. From the pulled pixel image, I selected the lower 1/3 with Rectangle Marquee then pressed CTRL {CMD} +J to duplicate the selection onto its own layer. I resized the image, then duplicated the new layer 3 times, rotated & moved the layers until I was pleased with the initial result. (Pg 2)



4. Using the grid as a guide, I selected the inside portion of the image, leaving approx. 1” border. You will notice in my frame that the inside corners are diagonal. This was a fluke that occurred when I decided I wanted a smaller border & used Select > Modify > Contract. (I think I entered 30 pixels). After selecting OK, the corners of my selection became diagonal. I repeated the selection several times, with the same results, & after deciding the diagonals would add interest to my frame, I kept the selection. Your results may not have the diagonal corners. (Pg 3)


5. Using the Rectangle Marquee, I selected an area of the above layer approximately ¼” from the inside of the border to include the red section. Next, I duplicated that selection (CTRL {CMD} +J), & filled it with white (ALT +Backspace) – NOTE: I used ALT+Backspace because my foreground color was white. ALT+Backspace fills w/foreground color, while CTRL {CMD} +Backspace fills w/background color.

This very simple red frame was used for a photograph of a 2-yr-old at her birthday party. To add your photo, simply create a new layer behind the others, drag a photograph onto that layer & resize as necessary. (Pg 4)



6. Before closing this simple frame, I decided to try a couple of other options. With background color set to black, I selected Filter >Texture >Texturizer >Horizontal Grain using the default setting. The same filter was applied to the white inner border layer. Next, I beveled the layers (the style of bevel you apply is strictly a matter of preference. I played with them until I was pleased with the result.

One thing I want to mention here is that when I first started using Photoshop, I realized it was beneficial to rename my layers according to whatever style/filter/effect I had applied to that layer. NOTE: After applying one effect (i.e., grain filter), I will rename that layer Border +GrainVertical +HEXColor. I always duplicate that layer before applying another filter (i.e., blur). I ALWAYS save a layered Phosotoshop Elements version of my designs, in addition to a JPG version. This allows me to open a layered version & recall the steps for new projects. (Pg 5)

7. By now you’re probably asking, “So how did a red frame with texture become a nautical sea blue frame with fishnet?” :rolleyes: :rolleyes: You may also be wondering why I’ve taken the long version from simple red frame to blue-green nautical frame, rather than just telling you to fill selections with blue-green color. The reason is because I wanted you to see that you don’t have to begin from scratch each time you have a new frame idea. Begin with something simple & add filters, adjust color, add brushes, etc. & you have a completely new design.

To change the frame color I played with Hue/Sat (Enhance >Adjust Color >Adjust Hue/Sat (CTRL {CMD} +U), moving the sliders until I had a color that I was pleased with, then clicked OK. I renamed this layer Border +Hue/Sat. Usually I would include the Hue / Sat / Lightness numbers in the layer name as well. (Pg 6)

continued... SEE STEPS 8 - 10

[NRiceDesigns]

8. Immediately, I knew that this color must become a frame with a nautical feel. I created a new layer, then searched through my brushes for a fishnet effect. I had downloaded a set of brushes named Gridlox & selected brush #458. (I can’t remember where I downloaded them. If anyone knows where I got them, I would like to give the designer credit)

The size of the brush is personal preference – I just played with the size until it gave me the effect I wanted. Rather than dragging the brush, I clicked in various places to apply the brushstroke. Some of the brushtrokes covered the inner bevel & the background, but this can be easily fixed. Use the Rectangle Marquee Tool to select an area inside that layer that corresponds with the size of the inner bevel. After selecting your rectangle, press Delete. You will now have a border of brushtrokes. I applied a bevel to the brush layer, selecting various bevels until I achieved the desired result. I renamed the brush layer Brush=Gridlox #458 +Bevel. (Pg 7)

9. I had previously downloaded free custom shapes from Adobe Studio Exchange (ASE). I searched through them for an anchor shape & discovered two of them in the Jak_1 Misc shape set. Using the Color Picker, I selected bluegreen from my frame & inserted the shape. I then applied a bevel, duplicated the shape 3 times & moved one to each corner. I renamed each shape layer according to the location - UL Shape=Anchor=859E9F+Bevel. [NOTE: UL = Upper Left, LR = Lower Left, etc.

I opened two photos of a ship taken several years ago in Key West, FL, USA, then dragged each of them onto my frame image. Next I resized them to fit (you may need to change the view to Fit On Screen (CTRL {CMD} +0) in order to grasp the handles to resize the photos. Remember to hold down the Shift key while dragging the corner to constrain proportions.

After resizing the photos, I duplicated both of those layers. I wanted to stroke the photos & prefer to apply filters, styles, etc. to a duplicate layer in case something goes wrong. With the first photo layer selected, from the Edit menu I chose Stroke (Outline) selection. My foreground color was still set to the same blue I’d used on the anchor shapes & this is the color that was used to stroke the photos. The size of the stroke is a matter of preference. I recommend you begin with 1 or 2 px, then Edit >Undo if you don’t like it & try it again. After stroking, I applied a Drop Shadow Layer Style (again, the type of drop shadow you select is based on your preference). I renamed the photo layers as Photo1 +Stroke=2px +DrpSh. (Pg 8)

10. The final step in finishing my design is to add a mat. With my foreground color still set to my frame color (859E9F), I clicked the curved arrow above the color swatch to change that color to my background color.

Using the Color Picker, I selected a color from the sunset (D6CEAC).

Next, I applied a Grain filter: Filter >Texture >Texturizer >Grain >Sprinkles. I used the default setting then clicked OK. NOTE: The color of sprinkles will be the color you have selected as your background color.

I renamed the layer D6CEAC +GrainSprinkles=859E9F.

Next I duplicated that layer & applied Filter >Blur >Gaussian Blur. Use the monochromatic option & radius set to 3.5. Click OK. I renamed this layer D6CEAC +GrainSprinkles=859E9F +Gaussian.

Finally, I added my signature & the final result is seen below. In this clip, you can see the first layer (bottom right) is the red frame I started with. Remember to save your layered Elements document, then if you wish, you can save a HQ JPG version and/or a WEB version.

Remember to draw inspiration from hundreds of wonderful designs in our galleries, but don’t forget to add your special touches to make your design one of a kind & above all, HAVE FUN!! (Pg 9)

Have fun! ~NR

[mom to 4]

Nita:

WOW! That is simply beautiful! I have tons of beach photos that would look great in that frame!! I will have to do the tutorial, but I don't know if I will have the time before we leave on vacation on friday....boy do I wish I had a laptop to take with me!!!! After being away two weeks ago and now vacation, I am really going to go through PSE withdrawal!!! Most people would be happy, but I will miss the forum and everyone!!!!

Thanks for the tutorial and I really can't wait to try it!!!!

[Dorrie H.]

Nita,
BettyC found the Gridlox brushes. They are from Adobe Studio Exchange and it is listed as Gridlocked under Brushes, but after being downloaded the file name becomes Gridlox. The designer is Justin Kimbo.

Still haven't found the Anchor you referred to in your tutorial above. I'll keep hoping I'll find it, but any help from anyone else would be appreciated.:)