Help with computer tools

ReNae Stueve · 01-30-2003, 11:52 AM

I'm not sure if this question is in the correct topic but here goes.

I've obtained a camera for digital work. What I'm hoping to be able to do is make use of my Corel7 program. I know there is a way, in Photo Paint, to lay one image as if it were a transparency over another. I hope to be able to use this to check my forms before I get too far along to make good corrections. I've got the manual. But I need a "tips for dummies"

Beth, I've read many of your posts on graphics and I'm sure you have the key.

Elizabeth Schott · 01-30-2003, 03:02 PM

Ah ReNae, this might be one for Michele or Cynthia, I am a dedicated Adobe user.

If they use the same technology, your document should open and there will be a menu at the top with "views", pull that down and see if there is something that says layers. If yes open it.

Now open your next document, you will either have your reference photo open or the digital of your painting.

When the layer palette is open you should have a place that says "create new layer" click yes, then it will ask for a name and an opacity. I just call mine 1, 2, 3, but a good hint is to copy the background layer too layer one, and delete the background, because it is usually locked and you will not be able to manipulate it.

Leave your transparency at 100% for now.

Click on your other document and select the whole window, you should have a dotted line making a circle around the image. You will copy this. On a Macintosh you hold down the apple key and press "c" or pull the edit menu down to copy. Click back onto your new document - which you have saved with a new name now (in PhotoShop it is a psd because your layers are there, do this every time you make a change) and add another new layer.

Name your new layer with what you want and leave the transparency at 100% for now and paste this image into this layer.

Now go to this layer, by highlighting it in your layer document palette and change the transparency/opacity, usually by using a sliding scale until you can see what is underneath. It will give you a great Idea what needs to be moved around.

If you need to make changes you can take your pen tool and create a path, follow your reference, make it a selection then stroke it with your smallest tool, usually the pencil set to one pencil and out put that for use at your easel. Of course this is all based on PhotoShop, but they are all pretty much a like now. Unless of course you are trying to build a web site, which has no logic at all and you need to attend Genius school with Cynthia, see-all the artist think she named this site after them - HA!

I did show an example of this ever so humbly in one thread, I

ReNae Stueve · 01-30-2003, 11:38 PM

Elizabeth,

Corel's terminology uses the term "Mask". I've been able to drop one onto another but not in a transparent form. I'll forge ahead. I'm thinking I have an Adobe program, although I've only had it come into use when viewing text on line. I'm going to give it a try and perhaps forget about Corel until I can find a simple "For Dummies" instruction book. I'll let you know how I do. If anyone here has Corel experience, I'm all ears.

Elizabeth Schott · 01-31-2003, 12:00 AM

ReNae,

Wait for that feedback, because you probably have Adobe Acrobat, which just reads Pdf files and will not help you at all with this. Usually a mask is very different from a layer.

I am sure someone uses Corel, I just hope it is not the drawing program like Adobe Illustrator.

Cynthia talks about a photo program she uses in the computer section, which is like PhotoShop. The one Cynthia uses or PhotoShop are great investments by the way, you could get an older version used on eBay, Jeff could possibly help you out there. Good luck!

Cynthia Daniel · 01-31-2003, 02:01 AM

It's Paint Shop Pro that I use.

ReNae Stueve · 01-31-2003, 08:54 AM

Paint Shop Pro has been mentioned to me several times. I believe our Branch Secretary uses it for promotional stuff. Corel7 is powerful, but unlike any I've seen in its use of terminology. Not user-friendly in that sense. PSP seems to use the MS terminology.

I'll see if I can't grab an it off our network, and work my images up in the office.

I'd still like to use this Corel thing, I have a feeling it is packed with cool stuff.

Mari DeRuntz · 01-31-2003, 09:20 AM

ReNae -

There is a low-tech solution to overlays. If you can print out a copy of your image that is the exact size of the image on your canvas, art supply stores sell graphite transfer paper. You could either trace key outlines directly onto your canvas, or mark critical "landmarks".

I find often I get too caught up in making the technology work, when often there is a simple solution that will allow me more time painting.

Jeff Fuchs · 01-31-2003, 09:21 AM

I've used Corel 8 (Presentations) at work to create ads. It's okay for basic graphics, but there's not much by way of advanced features.

If you have a clone tool, set the brush to 50% density, and make it as large as possible. Then just clone a ghost of one image over the other.

More likely, you need a more advanced program.

Leslie Ficcaglia · 01-31-2003, 10:11 AM

Mari, I like your low-tech solution. You don't even have to make the traced image the same size as the painting. Of course that's ideal, but if it's not possible or easy to do that you can simply hold the traced image the correct distance from the painting to achieve the size parity and check for anomalies that way.

ReNae Stueve · 01-31-2003, 11:38 PM

Mari,

I'm for the low tech. Thanks. I never thought of that but I have the ratio, I can enlarge the original and trace it, you're right. Great idea!