**New** DARWIN

[aremgy]

D A R W I N








This tut was written on January 23, 2012.
It is written using PSPX; I'm sure the same effects are available in other versions.

SUPPLIES
A tube and a closeup.
I'm using the work of Keith Garvey.
This tube was purchased from MPT.
A license and tubes for this artist may be purchased from PTE.

The following filters:
Simple - Diamonds
Toadies - Darwin
Xero - Fritallary
Graphics Plus - Cross Shadow

Font of choice (I'm using "Almond Script")

Set your foreground color to a darker color from your tube; set your background color to white.
Make a foreground gradient with the following settings:




This tut is a little different from other tuts I've written.
I'm going to show you how to make a tag first, then I'll show you how to turn that tag into a forum set.


Open a new image, 600 wide x 600 high.

Floodfill with your gradient.

Selections Tool - Custom Selection using the following setting:



Selections - Invert.

DELETE.

Selections - Select None.


Duplicate this layer; Image - Flip.

Layers - Merge - Merge Visible.

Duplicate this layer; Image - Mirror.

Layers - Merge - Merge Visible.


Duplicate this layer.

On the top layer, Simple - Diamonds.

On the top layer, Toadies - Darwin.

Effects - 3D Effects - Drop Shadow using 0, 0, 100, 10, Black.


On the bottom layer, Toadies - Darwin.

Effects - Edge Effects - Enhance.

Change the opacity of this layer to 35.

Layers - Merge - Merge Visible.

Set this image aside for a bit.


Open a new image 600 pixels wide x 400 pixels high.

Floodfill with black.

Xero - Fritallary using 3, 30, 10, 10.

Effects - Edge Effects - Enhance.

Graphics Plus - Cross Shadow using the default setting.


Add, as a new layer, the 600x600 image you created earlier.
(This always puts a new layer in the exact center.)

Selection Tool - Custom Selection using the following setting:



(The bottom number should be 400...thanks, Miss Shirley!)

DELETE.

Selections - Select Selection Borders using Both Sides, 1, Anti-alias unchecked.

Add a new layer and floodfill the selection with your darker color.

Selections - Select None.


Using your magic wand, click into the middle of the border selection you just made.

Selections - Modify - Expand by 1.

Add your closeup (or image) as a new layer.

Selections - Invert.

DELETE.

Selections - Select None.

Move this layer directly above your black background layer.

Change the setting of this layer to Luminance (legacy); change the opacity to 35.
(If you are using an image, omit this step.)


Add your tube, moving into position.

Add a blurry drop shadow (I used Eye Candy 5 - Perspective Shadow).

Add a 2px Selection border, using your darker color.

Add your name and all necessary copyright information.


Your tag is done; if you want to make a forum set, continue with these instructions:

Make a copy of your 600x400 - Shift + D.

Selection Tool - Custom Selection using the following setting:



You'll need to move your closeup, your tube (or your image) down a bit so it will fit correctly between the marching ants.

When you are happy with the position, Image - Crop to Selection.

(You can simply crop the duplicate tag to 600x250, but the Darwin element will not be centered.)

Selections - Select None.

Add your 2px Selection Border, using your chosen color.

Add your name and all necessary copyright information.



For the avatar:

Duplicate your tag (Shift + D.)

Remove all unnecessary layers.

Crop to 150x150.

Add a new layer.

Add a 2px Selection border, using your chosen color.

Add your name (or initial) and all necessary copyright information.


Here is another example, using a beautiful image by Anna Marine: