We are going to make a puzzle frame and image. This is a bit different that the other puzzle images You might have done before and I will try my best to make this as simple as I can.

The images here are smaller in size for loading purposes.

First thing we need is an image. I prefer a larger image that way I can reduce it to match the puzzle pieces and frame, but that is up to you. I chose this one.

Now the other thing we will need is the puzzle pieces and puzzle frame. I have a link here for the zip that I made. The puzzle frame and puzzle pieces are in psp format.

Puzzle Template

Now open your image and the two puzzle templets in Paintshop Pro.
With your Main image active, copy and paste as a new image or you can do a shift d. Now minimize one of the images. Go to the Puzzletemplete frame and check the image info. To do this go to View, Imagine Information. Write down the size of the puzzle templet.
Go back to your main image and resize your image to those dimensions.
Now go to the puzzle templet frame (puzzletemplete1.psp) and copy it.
Go over to your Main image and paste it as a new layer. 
Now your image should look something like this.

Now you can close the puzzle frame templet if you would like.
You can also minimize the image with the puzzle frame applied.
Now go to the puzzle pieces templet. with your magic wand with these settings, select the black part of the puzzle pieces.

Match Mode = RGB Value
Tolerance = 66
Feather = 0
Sample merge = unchecked.

Now copy this and paste as a new layer to the copy of the image you made at the beginning. Your image will look something like this.

Move the black part around your image til you like the pieces that are showing.
With your magic wand tool, using the same settings as before, but this time we want the feather to be set at 2, Now hold down the shift key and click on each of the puzzle pieces. Now go to your layer palette and make the background layer active. Now copy these puzzle pieces..
Go over to your first image that has the puzzle frame around it and paste your puzzle pieces as a new layer. 
You are going to notice that the pieces might go over the frame, so you will need to use the deformation tool and make the puzzle pieces fit nicely inside the frame. Your image should look something like this.

I personally think the black background inside the frame is too dark, so I want to change that color. I think I am going to use a blue. So the way I do this is using my wand tool, set with the same settings (feathering 2 still)make layer 1 active (this is the layer you have the frame part on, click the black and now flood fill with a color of your choice. Now with the marching ants still marching around the inside of the frame, go to Selections, Invert and we want to invert this.
Now go to Image, Effects, Drop Shadow and use these settings.

Now go back again to Image, Effects and Drop Shadow and use the same settings except this time use -3 vertical and horizontal. You image should look something like this now.

Now we want to add a drop shadow to the puzzle pieces. So go to your layer palette, chose the layer that has the puzzle pieces on it (mine is Layer 2) and then go to Image, Effects, Drop Shadow and I kept the same settings as the last drop shadow we used. Now your image should look like this.

Now go up to Layers, Merge all visible and your are finished! Here is my completed Puzzle Image.


 

Tutorial by Leigh

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This tutorial was created September 25, 2000 by Leigh's Designs
Please do not take any of it or reproduce it.