Making a bow

[msbrad]

I was hoping to add a "bow" effect on a scrapbook page. I can make a straight piece of ribbon, but have not as yet figured out how to bend and tie a knot so to speak.
Any suggestions?
m

[Cmcburnett]

Have you tried using the Shear tool? If not, maybe you could give it a try. Go to Filters>Distort>Shear, and play with it. Don't know if that is what you need. Wendy is the Guru on tasks like this.

[Litespeed]

You can also go into Custom Shape Tool and find a bow next to the key. That is what I used, much easier.

[Cmcburnett]

Litespeed has the right idea. Much easier. I also have made a ribbon using the following, but it doesn't made a tie in the bow:
Making a Ribbon
Add a new layer to your document, hide the background and keep 2nd layer transparent, then go to Filter>3d transforms, open up the dialog box and make sure High is selected on both selections, now, on the left side you will see different options, click on the cylinder tool, now, draw out a shape you want, use the move tool and move toward bottom of screen (the move tool is on the left side of toolbar toward the bottom of screen), NOW, select the tool next to it ROTATE, and start to rotate until you get an angle that you want, and then click OK and it will show up on transparent layer, NOW, press CTRL+T for free transform, NOW, go to color picker and choose basic color that you want, THEN go to Edit>Fill layer>(make sure Transparency is checked), Choose foreground color and change the blend mode to MULTIPLY, and click OK, NOW, add a new layer, NOW, use the MARQUEE tool and make a selection on the side edge of ribbon, eyedropper tool and click on one of the darkest colors, and go back to EDIT> Fill Layer>and change blend mode to NORMAL>and uncheck preserve transparency; NOW, pull that layer below and deselect it (your layers pallet should be in this order starting at bottom: Background, Layer 2, Layer 1; Now, while on layer 2, take the move tool and move layer 2 in just a bit; NOW, still on layer 2, take the polygonal tool and draw out a ribbon edge (a triangle); THEN hit delete and deselect; Then take Layer 2 and duplicate it, take the move tool and move it over to the other end of ribbon and use CTRL+T to free transform to move into place, then go to IMAGE on top toolbar>Rotate>Flip Horizontal, so it will be facing the right way; NOW, you can go to layer 1 to move and scale ribbon; and then if you still need adjustments just go back to layer and move/nudge into place.

[nkeevers]

I use the bow in the Custom Shapes also. Once you apply a bevel, or some other effect, it looks pretty nice!

[msbrad]

Thank you so much for the suggestions.
My shear attempt was a shear mess :confused:
to say the least, but maybe I just need to practice it a bunch more.
But I am going to go and find that custom shape bow and start playing with that real soon.:)
Thanks again for the help!
m

[Wags374]

Check out this thread over at the Scrappers Guide forum: http://scrappersguide.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102

[Wendy]

Hi ...

If you use the custom shape bow then try adding a little dodge and burn that really makes it come to life.

Make the initial colour a medium shade and then ... just burn where shading would be and dodge to make the highlights :)

Wendy

[Litespeed]

What you might also try is using the gradient tool, that makes for a really nice "Satin Bow".

[msbrad]

I tried to re-reply here last evening, must have hit a wrong button along the way.:(
Thank you everyone for the ideas. I did "play" alittle last evening with the custom shape. don't have a "finished" project yet, but it is on its way!
m

[nkeevers]

Looking forward to seeing that "bow".:D

[msbrad]

will do, as
as it becomes presentable.
I might even add the first "shear" attempt too. We would all get a great laugh on that one!
m

[Cmcburnett]

A good laugh is good for the soul!! I'm sure whatever you post will be very artistic and in great taste. I've tried making a bow a few times, but I never could get it to look the way I wanted. So I gave up, trashed the ones I made and started cutting a pasting from other pictures that do not have a copywright emblem on them. Some looks very good, but when you create your own it gives you a feeling of accomplishment and something to be proud of, that is if you haven't used the shear tool. Just kidding.

[Llist]

Check out this thread over at the Scrappers Guide forum: http://scrappersguide.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102

Jane

Thanks for the link.. it was just what I've been looking for :D :D

Laura

[Wags374]

Your welcome - lots of great stuff over at the ScrappersGuide forum. Including a free weekly tutorial video.

[msbrad]

Well, still plugging alway at the bow.
I've decided to give up on shear (real bad attempts there)

and after alot of tries and great support from Wags' pm...believe it or not it is coming along, from the last time I wrote to you. Guess I needed to sleep on it...Still not suitable to use or show for that matter, but I am seeing at least what it is supposed to be doing. I'm anxious to join over at the scrappers guide too!

I can handle the custom shape bow. Next mission is to Wendy's tutorial using dodge and burn on the pacifier and hope I can apply the effects of the tools to my bow.
got work to do.
Later
m
ps: hopefully the next update has the bow up to the OK status

[nkeevers]

I have a picture of "Madelynn" in my gallery that has a custom shaped bow and I used a bevel and the burn tool on it and it came out pretty good. And I'm just learning....:D

[msbrad]

Cool, the bow is great. And glad you pointed it out tome.
More than likely that will be the way I end up going...
But I do get so stubborn on trying to learn something and then so frustrated when it doesn't work out at first, or 2nd....:eek:

m

[nkeevers]

I have the same problem so don't feel bad. I'm still working on a stained glass effect that I've tried about 3 times and I still can't get it right::mad:

[Wendy]

Hi ...

I made a quick bow to give you an idea of how you can do it.

I used th same methos as I did the Dummy (Pacifier) but there are more layers.

Top Layer ... Middle of the Bow
Next 4 Layers ... the fronts of the bows
Next 2 layers ... the hanging ribbons
Next 4 Layers ... the backs to the bows
Botton Layer ... White background.

I used Dodge and Burn and I also did a slightly darker stroke around each part of the bow :)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1nNdBeyLrPUcDI9zY18xH65ddxfHt0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1nNdBeyLrPUcDI9zY18xH65ddxfHt0)

Wendy

[nkeevers]

Nice bow Wendy! That ought to be fun to recreate!:eek: :eek:

[Wendy]

Hi Norma ...

If you want to try making one ... just download my bow and use it as a guide.

Its not too difficult its just a bit fiddly and you have to make sure you get the layers in the right order :)

If you do make it then make it big say 1000 pixels x 1500 pixels at 300 resolution ..


Wendy

[nkeevers]

Okay, I'll try it tomorrow. In addition to the 5 other techniques I'm trying to master.:eek: :eek:

[Wendy]

Norma ...

You can do it !! :D

Wendy

[msbrad]

Wow Wendy I love the bow!! I will definitely save it to use as a guide.
I went out of town yesterday to today to visit relatives, so I have not been on the comupter until now.
As Norma saide, shall add this to the other projects I need to "master".
Thank you.
m

[nkeevers]

Wendy, I forgot to ask. Where do I download your bow from?

[Wendy]

Hi Norma ...

Just right click on the Pixentral image and save it to your computer ... then use it as a guide to making your own bow :)

Wendy

[msbrad]

OK Norma, I do have Wendy's bow 'saved'
shall experiment tomorrow after school.
Please let me know how it works for you.
I do need to first practice the pacifier tut.
I was assigned jury duty,but have been excused !!!!!!!!!!.
So, hopefully I get to play then.
m

[Wendy]

... as I say at the end of most of my tuts ...

... Experiment and Enjoy :)

Wendy

[nkeevers]

Saved the bow. I'll try to work on it tomorrow.

[msbrad]

me too.
m

[Wendy]

Hi ...

I won't be around now until Friday ... but look forward to seeing your bows when I get back :)

Wndy

[Llist]

OK... tried out the tut from the link Jane provided... don't know if I'm being really dense or if my creative brain just isn't working right now but I just can't seem to get it right... does anyone know of any video tuts on making a bow or tied ribbon? Thanks

Laura

[msbrad]

I do not think there is a video tut. And yes I do understand your confusion on the one posted from the scrappers guide. ( The dragging down then up got me for quite a while) BUT, after further review...(sounds like football) it does work. I've been messing with it daily and am almost up to OK.
I'm getting ready to work on Wendy's pacifier one for dodge and burn and use the custom shape.
feel free to get ahold of me again, and I shall try to get you thru.
m

[Cmcburnett]

Laura, there is a free Quick-Time video in the subscriber area under "Videos" that you can download and watch on how to make ribbons that was posted 9/8/06. I tried it, but I made a mess of it. It took a while to get it to look OK, but I am really gonna have to work on it to get it mastered in time for Christmas projects. Good luck. I kinda like to copy ribbons and bows and then paste into my project and add my own highlights and shadows.

[Llist]

Charlotte

Thanks for the info.. I watched that one the other night but it doesn't show how to make a "knot" that looks realistic. I guess I'm really wanting to know how to make a tied ribbon to help embellish my pages. I want to do it myself but I've also been trying to see if there are any out there that I can download. Has anybody bought the ribbons CD from the scrappers guide website? If so, how do you like it?

Thanks everyone
Laura