If your graphics on your Website look a little bit dull and boring, then you probably
want to find ways of sprucing them up a bit. There's no better way of making a visual
impact by using some of the effects in your graphics package. This tutorial will show
you how to add drop shadows to your images to give them a little bit more of an impact
using Paintshop Pro.
Part 1: preparing your images
The first thing you need to do is make sure you have already got the images you want
to add a shadow to. They can be any image you like, and they can also be any size
because with Paintshop Pro you can resize to suit your preferences. You don't want a
large image on a Website because it will take too long to open. First you need to open
up Paintshop.
Click on the 'Start' button
Select 'Programs' and then 'Paintshop Pro'
Go to the 'File' menu, select 'Open'
Find the image you want to and click open
It's quite easy to resize your image.
Click on the 'Image' menu and select 'Resize'
Make sure 'maintain Aspect Ratio' is ticked
Change the width and the height will change automatically
Click 'OK'
Because a shadow isn't applied to your picture, but to the area around your picture,
you need to create some extra space.
Click on the 'Image' menu
Select 'Canvas Size'
The dialogue box will tell you the size of your picture already, and now you have to
add on the extra borders. Whatever you add on, you have to remember that you are
adding it to both sides. For example if you add on 50, then you are actually adding
on 25 to each side. You also need to make sure your picture is centred both
horizontally and vertically within the new borders by putting a tick in both of
the relevant boxes. When you click 'OK' you will have a new border around your picture.
Toppers' tip: use 'Canvas Size' to add a border
Part 2: adding your drop shadow
Now you have prepared you picture your can add your drop shadow. A drop shadow will
make it look like your image is slightly lifted off the page. The shadow will appear
on the white surrounding your picture, so the first thing you need to do is tell
Paintshop that's where you do want it to go.
Click on the 'Magic Wand' tool on the side toolbar
Click on anywhere on the white border
Click on the Selections' menu and select 'Invert'
Now you have selected the picture instead of the border, you can add the drop shadow.
Click on the 'Image' menu
Select 'Effects' and the 'Drop Shadow'
A dialogue box will open. There are lots of things you can do to make your shadow
darker, or lighter, or deeper. It's really a question of personal preference.
The dialogue box has a preview pane where you can see any change you make without
applying it to your actual image. When you are happy with your shadow click 'OK'.
You can also add a drop shadow to text.
Click on 'Toggle Layer Palette' on the top toolbar
Click on the 'Create New Layer' button
Click on the 'Text' button on the right
Type your text and click 'OK', making sure your text is 'Floating'
Position you text where you want it
Click on the 'Image' menu
Select 'Effects' and the 'Drop Shadow'
You can then change the settings in the dialogue box as before.
Toppers' tip: 'Image' menu, 'Effect', then 'Drop Shadow'
