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This tutorial is intended for beginners to learn how to use the pen tools and edit vectors. If you have any questions, please feel free to Email me.
Remember to save as a psp file often!
1. Open a new, transparent image, size 400 x 600 pixels.
2. Choose the pen tool. Set the foreground to NULL, and background to your main tree color.
3. Set the pen tool to segment, show nodes, connect
4. Draw a triangle. Place the three corner nodes -- 1, 2, 3. Then place a 4th node, close to the first one. Click on this node, and DRAG it on top of the first one until you see the word JOIN. When the word JOIN is showing, release the node -- and the 4th node and 1st node will join together making a triangle.
5. Right-click on the top node
6. Choose Node Type > Symmetric The top of the triangle will now curve. That's ok, we'll fix it.
7. Right-click on the same top node and choose Node type > Cusp
8. There are now 2 handles on the top node. Grab the end of EACH handle and drag them down and in, like in the picture. This will put a point back on top of the triangle, and curve in the left and right side of the triangle.
9. Right-click on the bottom right node. Choose Node Type > Curve After
10. you will see one handle on the node (on the bottom of the triangle). Grab the end of that handle and drag it downward. This will make the bottom of the triangle curve downward.
11. Hold the CTRL button down, and hover the mouse over the bottom center of the triangle. When you see the word +ADD, left-click. This will add a node to the center of the triangle. It's ok if it's not in the dead center. Nodes can move!
12. Right-click on this new node and choose Node Type > Cusp
13. Left-click on the node, and drag it up a little bit. Drag both handles downward and out or in some so that both sides of the bottom curve.
14. In the Layer Palette, right-click on the vector layer and choose Convert to Raster Layer.
15. Choose the magic wand tool. Click inside the green and select the triangle.
16. Selections > Float
17. Effects > 3D Effects > Cutout. Horizontal & Vertical = 0, Opacity = 35%, blur = 15 -20.
18. Choose the airbrush tool.
19. Set the size = 32, hardness = 50, step = 10, density = 10, thickness = 100, rotation = 0, opacity = 40, blend mode = normal, rate = 5. Set foreground color = white or bluish white.
20. While the triangle is still selected, spray the bottom edge with white.
21. Effects > 3D Effects > Inner Bevel. Set: pie bevel, width = 25, smoothness = 25, depth = 5, ambience = 0, shininess = 50, color = white, angle = 315, intensity = 49, elevation = 27.
22. Selections > Defloat.
23. Right-click on layer in Layer Palette, and choose Duplicate.
24. Image > Resize. Resize to 75%. UNCheck Resize all layers.
25. Repeat Steps 23 & 24 to make a 3rd and/or 4th layer.
26. With the mover tool, move the pieces into position to make them look like a tree.
27. Layers > Merge > Merge Visible.
28. Now your tree is ready to decorate. But before you do, save it as a tube for later use. File > Save As (Choose PNG)
29. After your tree is decorated, save it as a GIF. File > Export > GIF Optimizer.
Please do not remove this tutorial from my site. Share my url.