PSP8 Help Needed

Drop Shadow

[Birdman]

Hello,

I am trying to figure out how to add a drop shadow to an existing image. I'm sure this is an easy one but, I can't figure it out.

Basically, I have a t-shirt image and want to place a drop shadow under it. My problem is I cannot figure out how to select the outline of the shirt. I know the program has a built-in drop shadow function but I have to get the outline of the shape selected first.

I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks.

Birdman

[Craig_F]

I'm using PSP7, but the process should be the same. The way I do this is to create a selection around the shirt using the regular selection tool. This will give you a box/rectangle around your shirt.

Then go to the main menu and choose 'Selections' then 'Modify' then 'Transparent Color'. If you set the transparent color to your background color and play with the tolerance you should be able to get the selection to only grab the shirt.

Once you have just the shirt selected you can then apply a drop shadow as normal.

[edited by: Craig_F at 6:30 pm (utc) on Nov. 14, 2003]

[Craig_F]

If you have trouble with that method you can also zoom in on the image and use the lasso selection tool to outline the shirt manually, then apply the drop shadow.

[Birdman]

Thanks, Craig_F.

My version doesn't have the 'Transparent Color' option in the selections menu but I did have some success with the freehand lasso.

I will now try zooming in to get a little more accurate on the edge.

Isn't there some kind of edge-finder?

Thanks again!

[Craig_F]

I don't know about an edge finder, but I did think of another way to try. You can try the magic wand. In this case you just use the wand to click the main color on your shirt and it will try to grab the whole thing for you. You'll probably have to play with the tolerance to get it right, and feathering can sometimes help. Should be slightly easier the doing it by hand with the lasso.

[Craig_F]

here's how you do the modify selection method that I suggested first in PSP8

[jasc.com...]

[tbear]

If your teeshirt is on a plain background you can use the magic wand to select the background then just reverse the selection to leave the teeshirt selected.........

[Birdman]

Ah, good call tbear! It is a plain white bg. I managed to get it done by hand-tracing the outline but will absolutely try that on the next one.

Thanks to both of you!

Birdman