Title: Create Cut Out Effects using Path Shapes

Software: Ulead PhotoImpact ALL Versions
Skill Level: Beginner

Author: Johanna
URL: http://johanna.pircsites.com/tutorials/cutouts/default.htm

This effect can be utilized for many things including cards for all seasons, banners, whatever your imagination dreams up.

PhotoImpact 11 has five Modes.  You'll see them all listed in the My Workspace menu.  For our purposes, please click on "Advanced Mode".

1. To Start, Create a New Image -  400 x 400 pixels and click on the Color/Canvas box to select a white background

**Before we get going I need to point out an area that may be confusing. We are going to be using two different Selection functions. One is on the main PI Menu and the other is part of the various Tools. You'll be told what you need to use as you go so please read carefully.
 

2.

(As a side note, be sure Preserve Base Image is NOT check marked. It can be found on the Menu bar under Selection. Here's why→)

Now that you have a more attractive looking background for your Cut Out Effects canvas, we're going to start fancying it up using simple Path shape cut outs.

When making the initial path object, use 2D Mode when drawing it, so you can center it nicely (in the Menu choose Object / Align / Horizontally...) before turning it into Selection mode. After you've drawn and positioned the shape (colour doesn't matter) where you want it to be, you must change the Path Mode from 2D to Selection, so...:

Under Mode, open the Drop Down box and choose Selection.

2. On the Menu, click on Selection / Convert to Object.

Right click on the shape and choose Shadow. Accept the default choices and click OK.

Using your Keyboard's arrow keys, press the right arrow 1 or 2 times and the down arrow 1 or 2 times till you see a bit of white edges in the shape you made.

Because we've just moved the image down and over a bit using the keyboard keys, we need to get rid of the extra white space that's showing around the outside edge of the Cut Out Effects canvas so...

Now, Right click and choose Merge All. Click on the Pick tool.

6. To add some text to your Cut Out Effects canvas, click on the Text tool (it's the "T" on the Tool Panel).

Choose a nice "fat" font (Arial Black is a good example). I've used size 70, colour doesn't matter. You'll need to choose an appropriate size according to what you type out. Type something for your image.

Remember, when making the initial Text, use 2D so you can center it nicely (in the Menu / Object / Align / Horizontally...). After you've typed and positioned your text where you want it to be, you must change the Text Mode from 2D to Selection, so...:

Under Mode on the Attributes panel, make sure you click Selection from the Drop Down box (just like you did when you picked the path shape). Click the Pick Tool to activate your new selection.

7. As before, on the Menu, go to Selection / INVERT.

And again, on the Menu, go to Selection / Convert to Object.

Right Click and Add a small Shadow by changing the two Offsets to 3 and the Soft Edge to 3 (this may need to be adjusted to match your font size & style), then use your keyboard's arrow keys to move down once or twice and  right once or twice.
Crop the Image as you did before. Right Click and choose Merge All.

We're going to make a nice edge around the entire Cut Out Effects canvas now using the Path Outline Tool. The steps will be the same as for both the Path Drawing and Text Tools....

PI has a few different Border Shapes - you can choose whatever you'd like as long as it's a nice solid line that will go all the way around your canvas. Click OK.

When making the initial Border, use 2D Mode so you can center it nicely (in the Menu / Object / Align / Center Both). After you've drawn and positioned the Border where you want it to be, you must change the Outline Mode from 2D to Selection, so...:

On the Attributes panel Under Mode, open the Drop Down box and choose Selection.

You should see the now familiar dotted outline of your shape.

9. Using the Outline Tool's  Panel Window, under the Outline tab, change the width to 5. In PI 11, you can change the width to 5 on the Attributes Panel by clicking the Set Line Width button.

10. As before, on the Menu, go to Selection / INVERT.

And again, on the Menu, go to Selection / Convert to Object. Click on the Pick Tool.

This time, LEFT click in the middle of your canvas and drag it out of it's window to a blank space in your PI window. It will now be in a new window.

Right Click / Shadow. Choose the one that makes the shadow go all around (3rd from the right).

Shadow Size = 103
Soft Edge - 3

OK, one last cut out before we're done with this Project . We're going to cut out a shape to move around and play with.

11. Click on the Path Drawing Tool and then under Shape, click Custom Shape.  I've chosen the Star but you can choose whatever you'd like as long as it's a nice solid shape. Click OK.

On the Attributes panel under Mode, open the Drop Down box and choose Selection.

12. Create the Path Shape somewhere on your canvas that's "empty". You should see a dotted outline of your shape. This time Right Click on the shape and choose Convert to Object. You now have a shaped piece of your canvas. Click the Pick Tool.
Right Click on your new shape again and choose Duplicate. You will be playing with ONLY the Duplicates. If you remove the original "star" (or whatever shape[s] you've created), you'll have a white hole there. (You could have changed Menu - Selection/Preserve Base Image to being Checked at this point but it's just as easy to use duplicates in this case). Drag the duplicated shape to another area of your canvas and give it a shadow so it stands out a bit. You can duplicate as many as you'd like to decorate your canvas. You can even re-size and fill a couple with different textures or colours. Add a shadow to each of your newly made shapes.  (If you're doing this for a Workshop Project, you may only use the shapes you cut out of this piece of work to decorate with).  Merge All and    You're Done with this project.   :-)

As always, start with the shape in 2D so you can move it to where you want the opening to be. Once you've got the shape positioned, change the Mode from 2D to Selection.

You should see a dotted outline of your shape.

As before, on the Menu, go to Selection / INVERT.

And again, on the Menu, go to Selection / Convert to Object. Click the Pick Tool.

LEFT click in the middle of your canvas and drag it out of it's canvas to a blank space in your PI window.  Delete the original image.

Right Click / Shadow. Choose the one that makes the shadow go all around (3rd from the right).

Shadow Size = 97
Soft Edge - 9

Put your favourite image under your new frame, Right click, Merge All.  

Here's some examples done by other PI lovers

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