Using edge masks

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Using edge masks

	Decide first whether you will be using a tiled image to fill your edge mask or an object. For this tutorial, I will use a tiled image, because I think you already know how to use objects :) However, if you are using an object just open a new canvas 1152X300 and fill with your desired color or texture. Go to selection and make sure preserve base image is checked. I am using an image from the PI photo gallery for this tutorial. It was contributed by Susan K. McLaughlin. Thank you Susan! You will find it on page 13 of the florals. Open your image in 20/20. Click the tile button. Click edit/copy.
	Now open PI. Click edit/paste/as a new image. If your image is wider than 300 pixels, you will need to resize it. Press Ctrl G at the same time to open the dimensions dialog box. Change the unit to pixels and type in 300 for the width. Leave the dot beside "Keep aspect ratio"
	If you had to re-size your image press F7 to open the focus dialog box. Click the options button and type 1 in the box beside amount. press ok.
	I clicked the + button beside the blue in the color tool box three times to get a deeper purple in my image. Copy the image to the clipboard by pressing Ctrl and C at the same time.
	Open a new canvas 1152 by the height of your canvas. Now open your image library, and open the library in which you stored the mask we made in the last lesson. Double click the edge mask. You will see an outline of your mask somewhere in the middle of your canvas. Use the right arrow key to move your mask over to the left side of your canvas. Make sure there is no room between the edge of the canvas and your mask. Press Ctrl F to open the fill dialog box. Click the image tab. Click the circle in front of "Clipboard". Make sure the dot is in the circle in front of "Tile the image". Click ok. Right click and click convert to object. IMPORTANT!!! Your blue selection lines will turn white. This shows you are now working with an object. Do not attempt to go on unless you now see a white and black selection marquee.
	Press space to select the background. Press Ctrl F to open the fill dialog box again. This time click the color tab. In the color box, right click. Click eyedropper. Click on a matching color from your graphic. Click ok.
	Here are some steps that are optional. I like to do it because it makes the edge stand out more. I will mark optional steps with asterisks. *** Right click on the flower edging and click on shadow. Click the check box beside shadow. Change the color to black. Change the X-offset to 4, and the Y-offset to 0. Type 20 next to transparency, and 4 beside soft edge. Click ok. Right click and click on split shadow.
	*** Right click and click shadow again. Put a check mark beside shadow. Change the color to white. Make sure the first box is selected. Change the x-offset to 2 and the y-offset to 0. Change the transparency value to 0 and the soft edge to 0. Click ok.
	*** Click on the layer manager in the Easy palette. You will see 2 items there: your edging and the black shadow. Hold down the control key while clicking on the one that isn't selected. Both should be outlined in blue, showing they are selected. Right click on the thumbnails and click "combine as a single object". Press Ctrl c to copy to the clipboard. Right click on your canvas, and click "Merge all". Look at the title bar for your canvas to see its dimensions. Mine says 1152x400. Divide the height by 3. In my case, the height of the canvas is 400. 400 divided by 3 = 66 and a third. I just used 60. For my purposes, that's close enough. (and you thought you wouldn't need math in graphics use right?--Sorry!)
	*** Click web/shift image. For the vertical offset, type the number that is a third of the height of your image. I typed 60. Click ok.
	*** Press ctrl V at the same time to paste your edging back onto your canvas. Align it correctly. Click the thumbnail to view full size. If you are using objects for your decoration, now is the time to put them on. Apply a drop shadow to the objects, and merge all. Click here to see one I did with objects.
	If you wish to use your border for a web page background, simply slide your image to the left when you paste it onto your canvas so that it makes a narrow edge to your page. click here to see the border I made. I have a set of edge masks you may download here: