How To: Create a Transparent Watermark - Two Different Ways!!

  How To:  Create a Transparent Watermark - Two Different Ways!!

This is a very easy, basic kind of tutorial, so good for those who are beginners, are getting used to the program, or have been away for a while and need a "refresher" course.  In this tutorial I will show you how to make/create a watermark that is transparent, and then save it in .png format so that you can use it over and over, as needed.

This is what we will be making:

Easy level - Basic knowledge of PSP is needed.

This tutorial is my own creation; any resemblance to another tutorial is purely coincidental.

👉👉 Please note, I am using PSP 9 on Windows 10, on a monitor with the following resolution:  1920x1080 .  If you are using a different resolution, you may have to fiddle with certain settings - like resize - to get a look that is good to you.  The settings I give are based on my own resolution. 👈👈

Materials Needed

1.  Paint Shop Pro  (I used Version 9, however it can be done on/in any version) 

2.  Font of choice - I am using CAC Futura Casual Bold.  While any font will work, the ones with a little bit of weight (not thin, script-type fonts) work better.

Filters Within PSP That Will Be Used

1.  CutOut  (Way #1)

2.  Drop Shadow (Way #2)

Years ago there used to be a good amount of tutorials that covered this topic however many of them are now gone forever.  So to fill a need that some may have, and to have the basic steps documented, I have created this tutorial.  It's actually pretty basic and doesn't require any filters outside of the ones that come with Paint Shop Pro.  You can make the watermark as simple or as fancy/complex as you would like.  For this tutorial I am going to show you how to do it with just text however know that once you have your watermark image/logo created, the steps to turn it into a watermark are the same.  You can also save the watermark as a brush within PSP, which is another simple process and I will create tutorial later on how to save custom-made brushes.

On to the tutorials!

Way #1

1.  Install the font(s).  (Alternative:  You can open and minimize the font; it should show in PSP.  I use a font program called Cfont Pro - it temporarily installs the font and will uninstall it when you shut down your computer.)

2.  Open a new file, 500 pixels x 300 pixels, 100 ppi, transparent.  (Don't worry, we'll be able to crop down and resize it later.)  

In your materials palette, set both the foreground and background to black.

3.  With your text tool active, in the toolbar, use these settings (or somewhat close to these, depending on the font you are using):

(click on this to enlarge)

4.  With the text tool, write out what you wish for your watermark.  I am using the word "watermark" for this tutorial.

Once satisfied with what you have, click the APPLY button.  Then go to Objects > Align > Center of Canvas.

5.  In the layers palette, right click on the layer with text, then go to Convert to Raster Layer.

Watermark-ss5-WR2026.jpg

You should now have something like this (minus the "Tutorials by WillowRaven" watermark LOL):

6.  Go to Selections > Select All.  Selections > Float.  Selections > Defloat.  You should see marching ants around your text:

7.  On your layers pallette, click on the text layer and choose "Promote Selection to Layer":

8.  On the promoted layer, click on your Delete button.  Go to Effects > 3D Effects > Cutout

and use these settings:

If you wish you can also change the Vertical to 1 and the Horizontal to -1 if you would like a bit more "depth" to your watermark.  You don't want it too dark - just enough so you can see it, however it still has some transparency.

You will now have a layer with your text, and the promoted layer with the watermark.  If you hide the text layer, you will see the watermark layer with the marching ants:

10.  At this point, go to Selections > Select None.  This will remove the marching ants.  You may crop it to your desired size.  I try to keep it cropped as close to the watermark as possible, without cutting off anything:

11.  Save in png format, and you are done.  You can now use it by Copy > Paste > As New Layer  to your image/tag.  Once applied, you can fiddle around with the layer settings to achieve a desired look (I just used a pattern file from my Materials Pallette for my "image").  The Raster 2 layer is the watermark layer with different layer properties - some examples:

👉👉 Please note that you can also save the black text/image you used in a png format as well (just hide the watermark layer), if you wish to use it later, or to modify your current watermark, or create another one that incorporates what you have already used. 👈👈

Way #2

1.  For this you will do the same thing as Way #1 until Step #7.  You will complete #6 so you have the marching ants around your text.  Go to Selections > Invert, then click on your Delete button.

2.  Go to Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow and apply these settings:

If you wish, you can fiddle around with the numbers if you don't like this look.  You don't want it too dark - just enough so you can see it, however it still has some transparency.

3.  Again, as in Step 8 (above), If you close off the layer with the text, you'll be able to see your 'watermark' layer on the promoted layer.

4.  At this point, go to Selections > Select None.  This will remove the marching ants.  You may crop it to your desired size.  I try to keep it cropped as close to the watermark as possible, without cutting off anything:

5.  Save in png format, and you are done.  You can now use it by Copy > Paste > As New Layer  to your image/tag.  Once applied, you can fiddle around with the layer settings to achieve a desired look (I just used a pattern file from my Materials Pallette for my "image").  The Raster 2 layer is the watermark layer with different layer properties - some examples:

👉👉 Please note that you can also save the black text/image you used in a png format as well (just hide your watermark layer), if you wish to use it later, or to modify your current watermark, or create another one that incorporates what you have already used. 👈👈

And you are done!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and that you learned - or relearned - something!

Happy creating.

How To: Using The ABR Viewer

 One of the fun things to do in PSP is use brushes when trying to kick up the level of your creativity.  And while yes, you can still find some PSP brushes on sites like DeviantArt, more times than not you are going to find brushes for Photoshop, which are in the .abr format.

All is not lost though.

Using the ABR Viewer you can "convert" those Photoshop brushes into .png files and then use the Import/Export function within PSP to make them into brushes that you can use in PSP.

The ABR Viewer is a small, stand-alone program that works OUTSIDE of PSP.  It is very simple, very easy to use.  Converting, and then importing, takes a couple of steps however once they are imported to your PSP, they are there permanently.  So, if done correctly,  you will only need to do this once for each .abr file.  (Please note that if you find you need to uninstall and reinstall PSP for some reason, you may need to import them again for the new installation, so keep/save the .png files that you will get via the ABR Viewer.)

👉👉 Please note:  I have set the screenshots to "extra large" size, however, if you need to see them bigger, click on them to open to their original size. 👈👈

👉👉 *If you find a step missing, or have questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me and let me know!*  👈👈

So, let's begin.

1.  Before I did anything, I made a folder to put the .abr files in and one to put the converted .png format images in.  It will help keep the confusion down, thereby making the steps easier to do/follow.  I usually have them as subfolders in a "convert" main folder on my spare drive.

2.  Grab the program, HERE.  Install per the directions.  I put mine on my desktop, and then in a folder on my desktop for external programs like this, Font Forge and Cfont Pro as I only use it sporadically, as needed.

3.  Once installed, you can open the program by clicking on the little icon.  When opened it should look like this:

4.  At the top. go to File > Open Brush Sets.

A window should open that allows you to browse to the folder that holds your .abr files.  Click on one of those files, then click "Open" in the bottom right corner of the window.

5.  You will now see each of the abr brushes as thumbnails in the program:

5.  At the top go to Export > Thumbnails:

And another window should pop up ... you will want to browse to the folder you have set for the png thumbnails (since I have quite a few of the mels brushes, I put the png folder in my main folder for their brushes):

Click on the OK button at the bottom.  That folder will now open up automatically and show the png files you just "converted":

If you don't intend to convert more .abr files, you can now close the program.

6.  Right click on one of the png files.  Go to Properties, and then the Details tab at the top.  You will want to look at the size of the image, which is where the highlighted square is:

When you import/export brushes into PSP, they cannot be more than 500 pixels on the largest side.  These are 591x591 pixels, so I will need to resize them.  So open each one in PSP (either as a group, or individually) and resize them so the largest side is 500 pixels or less.  For those that are unsure how to resize, open one of the png files in PSP.  Go to Image > Resize and use these (approximate) settings .... you will want the largest/biggest side to be no larger than 500 pixels, so if your brush is an odd size (such as rectangular), you will want that longest side to be 500 pixels or less:

Be sure that "Resize All Layers" is checked.

Resave the png in this new size.

Do this for each png file.

Now .... the following step is determined on whether you are using a new version of PSP, or older version.

>> If newer, follow these steps .... If older (like me!) you will need to follow the steps just after this.

FOR NEWER VERSIONS ⮟⮟⮟

A.  Once you have all of the png images resized, in PSP, go to File > Import > Custom Brush.

The following window should open:

B.  Click on the OPEN button in the upper left - browse to the folder that has those resized png files.  Scroll to the files you want to import.  If you have several, you can do them altogether.  At the bottom of the window, where it shows file formats to look for, you will want "All Files" at the bottom of the drop down menu:

C.  Click on the first one in the listing, then hold down your SHIFT button and then click the last one in the listing - that should hightlight all of them.  When you have the ones you want chosen, click on the "OPEN" button in the bottom right.  You should see thumbnails in the left panel of the import window.  It will look like this (this is a screenshot when I did different brushes):

D.  You will do the same thing with the SHIFT button to highlight all the ones you want to import.  Once you highlight them, you will click on the "ADD ALL" button in the middle.  You will see them now show up in the right side window.  Then click "OK".  They will import into your brushes.  To verify, open up your brush tool and open the preview window (yellow arrow, it will look like it has a drop down menu) and scroll to the name of the brush and you should find it.  They are now available for usage, permanently.  This is a "one and done" kind of thing.

FOR OLDER VERSIONS ⮟⮟⮟

>>If you are using an older version of PSP, images converted in Windows 10 and 11 will be "unsupported" because the version of the png image is new/current and incompatible with the older versions.  However not all is lost - we can still EXPORT the png images to PSP.  It's just that you will need to do them individually.

A.  With your png image open in PSP, you will go to File > Export > Custom Brush.

The following window will open:

B.  If the correct name of the file isn't showing, manually put it in there.  (When you do a lot of these you will notice that the name of the last one saved will show in the file name area so you will need to edit the file name each time you save a new brush).  If you wish to add any other info in the other text areas, feel free to do so. Be sure the "Save Variance" option is CHECKED. When you are satisfied, click on OK in the upper right corner of the little window.

C.  To verify, open up your brush tool and open the preview window (yellow arrow, it will look like it has a drop down menu) and scroll to the name of the brush and you should find it:

They are now available for usage, permanently.  This is a "one and done" kind of thing.

And you are done!!  Enjoy your newly available brushes!!

Crop Circles Remembered Tutorial

 Crop Circles, Remembered Tutorial

Before starting this tutorial, I want to explain why I am calling it what I am.

Many years ago, more than 12, easily, after I had learned – somewhat! - how to use PSP, make tags, get better at my "skills", and while in a copyright compliant PSP group on Yahoo (Snaggers Annonymous - now on groups.io), as one of the challenges we did a tutorial called "Crop Circles" by A Diva's Delight, which their tag tutorial blog is no longer around - it appears to now be a makeup/beauty advice blog.  It's a shame, as that tutorial, and many written around that time, are now considered "old school" where you actually use the different tools in PSP, learned how they worked, and even used them as a point to leap off and try your own thing!  For those who are curious, these are two tags I made those many years ago:

All is not lost, however.  I was able to find it via the Wayback Machine and, even though it doesn't have any of the screenshots/images visible anymore, the steps are still there, so ..... with that in mind, I will use that as my inspiration for this tutorial.  It won't be exactly as the original ... just inspiration.  As you will see as you go through the tutorial, that the finished look for your tag is pretty much only limited by your imagination.

Here we go.

Ready?

This is the tag we will be making:

Easy level - Basic knowledge of PSP is needed.

Materials Needed

Paint Shop Pro  (used Version 9, but can be done on any version)

Scraps – None  (however if you would like to use them in addition to the tutorial, you are free to do so!)

Tube of Choice - I am using a tube by FTU artist, Michelle Hoefener 

Preview:

... tubes can be found in most © compliant tube share groups.  You could also use an element from a kit, or accent/embellishment - the sky is the limit!

A Dingbat of your choice – the original tutorial made a preset shape from one of the “letters” in the dingbat called “Crop Circles” (hence the name) – found HERE 

...we won’t be making a preset shape from it, instead using it like a regular font.  If you want to use a different dingbat, ones that look like designs and/or have an empty "middle" (aka "Fill") work best.

Outside Filters Needed 

These can all be found here:

https://www.lismibaebi.com/FiltersandPlugins/FiltersandPlugins.html 

Mura's Meister > Copies

VM Distortion > Radial Pox

Xero > Fritilliary

Filters Part of PSP

Adjust > Blur > Gaussian Blur

Adjust > Sharpen > Unsharpen Mask 

Drop Shadow

Optional Filters (for Name/Text)

Eye Candy 5 Impact - Gradient Glow

(can be found at link, above)

Fonts used

 FFF Executive - © info

Farming Times - Names   

👉 Please note that I typically add my drop shadows last.  I will give the drop shadow settings that I have used at the end of the tutorial HOWEVER feel free to use your own settings if/when you would like. 👈

**SAVE YOUR PROGRESS OFTEN**

1.  Install the font(s).  (Alternative:  You can open and minimize the font; it should show in PSP.  Personally, I use a font program called Cfont Pro and it's actually freeware, despite the name.  It temporarily installs the font and will uninstall it when you shut down your computer.)

2.  Any tubes or elements you have:  for each, click on Shift+D, and then close out the original(s).

3.  Open a new file, 700x700 pixels, transparent background.  (Don't worry, you will be able to crop/resize later on.  This size just allows more area to create and move things as needed.)

4.  Choose colors for your foreground and background, using your tube colors as a guide.  You could also use a gradient or a pattern as the background ("fill") if you so desire.  I am choosing dark gray for my foreground, and a medium-to-light pink shade from the tube for the background.

5.  With your text tool, choose the dingbat font you wish to use, with these settings (I am using the Crop Circles dingbat font, letter e/lowercase):

Size: 550  -- Stroke Width: 2.0 -- Anti-Alias: Smooth   Alignment:  Center

Kerning:  0.00 -- Tracking:  0.00

Background Color: closed (Null)

Once created, go to Objects - Align - Center In Canvas

Feel free at this time to resize this to your liking (bigger, smaller).  You want it to, more or less, take up most of the canvas, like this:

When satisfied, convert to raster.  Rename this "dingbat".

6.  Choose a dark color from your tube and make it your foreground color.  With the "dingbat" layer still active, go to Adjust - Color Balance - Manual Color Correction.  In the window on the left will show your current color ("Source"), on the right will show the color you are wanting ("Target").  I am using a dark pink from my tube (#da0d8b), so it will look like this:

7.  Copy your tube, Paste as New Layer. Make duplicate layer of tube, close out the original for now.  On the duplicate tube, make sure your tube is centered.  Resize it by 50% (you may need to modify this a bit depending on the tube you are using) - be sure that "resize all layers" is NOT checked.

8.  Mura Meister > Copies with these settings:

Duplicate this layer.  Image > Rotate > Free Rotate:

Direction: Right

Degrees:  90

All Layers:  Not checked

Rotate single layer around canvas center:  checked

Merge down.

9.  Adjust > Blur > Gaussian Blur of 15.00.  Rename this layer "Blur".

10.  Hide this layer for the moment and go back to your "dingbat" layer, make it active.  With your Magic Wand (Selection Tool > Magic Wand), click on the inside of each area of the shape as well as outside the shape (you will see the marching ants in the areas you choose).  For my chosen shape, I clicked where the green X's are:

(I tried to click on the inside of the shape however even with a feather of 0, and even trying to zoom in, I still had problems - this was an easier "work around".)

11.  Go back to your "blur" layer, unhide it / make it active.  Then hit Delete. Your "blur" area should now be inside the lines of your shape.  Move this under the dingbat layer.  Selection > Select None.

11.  Go to your original tube layer, make active (unhide it).  Be sure it is centered and then Edit > Copy Merged, Edit > Paste > Paste as New Layer.  Be sure it is exactly lined up with the other elements on your tag (use your move tool if need be).  Once satisfied, Adjust > Blur > Gaussian Blur:  20.00 pixels.  While on this layer, apply Xero > Fritilliary with these settings:

Duplicate this twice, so you should have 3 total layers of this.  Merge all 3 Fritilliary layers into one, and then move it under the blur layer.  Duplicate it twice.  On one of those duplicated layers, resize by 80%, "resize all layers" unchecked, Resample using "Smart Size".

You should now have something like this:

On the other duplicated layer, Adjust > Blur > Gaussian Blur ... by 10.00.

12.  While still on this layer, Image > Resize by 90%, all layers unchecked, Resample using "Smart Size".   Then apply VM Distortion > Radial Pox with these settings (mine is through Filters Unlimited 2, however they should be the same if you use the filter directly):

Repeat filter with same settings.  Resize this layer by 90% with previous settings.

13.  Using your crop tool put these settings in your toolbar, and then click on the check mark to use the settings:

(click on this to enlarge if you need to see the settings clearly)

14.  If you wish to add anything else - accents, scraps, word art, etc - now is the time.  I am not adding anything to mine, so I will continue to the next step.

15.  At this time we will resize it.  Go to Image > Resize and use the following settings:

Be sure to pay attention to the areas with the pointed hand.  (You don't have to worry about the settings under "Print Size" since we aren't printing this out.)

16.  Going to each layer, use the following:  Adjust > Sharpen > Unsharpen Mask .. with these settings:

(For a short cut, after you click on each layer, hold down Ctrl + Y and it will "repeat last action" which will be the Unsharpen Mask with these settings)

17.  At this point, add drop shadows to your different layers.  I used the following on my tube and the dingbat font shape:

18. Add your crediting info, and your name.  If you wish to use the settings I did for the gradient glow on my © info:

Eye Candy 5 Impact > Gradient Glow (using a medium pink shade from the tube):

After I applied the gradient glow, I duplicated it, then gaussian blur by 5.00 and then moved it under the original.  I set that layer property to Multiply, 100%.  I set the original © info layer to Hard Light, 100%.

Save as .png if you wish to retain background transparency.

19.  You're done!!   I'd love to see what you come up with and thanks for checking out my tutorial!