Paint Shop Pro Tutorial: How to Add Ripples to a Flag

The Paint Shop Pro tutorial can provide you with several different types of effects that you can use for any type of photo. Adding ripples to a flag is an effect that can take up a lot of time and effort. If you know how to properly use the tools provided to you, then you will be able to accomplish this project without problems.

Step 1: Displacement Map

Get your original picture saved and ready for use. Then, you will need to make a 'displacement map'. In order to do this, you will need to first copy your original image into a new file. In this duplicate file, change the background color to white. Get your paintbrush tool opened; you will find this on the left hand side of the screen in the toolbar. The default settings will work fine for this effect. With black paint, draw a few diagonal lines that are thick onto the canvas. You'll only need a few, and don't worry about them being spaced perfectly (or them being very straight).

Step 2: Flag Displacement

From here, you will go back to your flag picture and make it active once again. Then, you will need to go to the 'effects' drop down box. Choose 'distortion effects' and choose the 'displacement map' option.

Step 3: Distortion

Go to the arrow on the right hand side of the square picker box. You will see a menu of all available images. The lines you had previously drawn will all be there. Be sure to set the blur to about sixty eight--play around with the numbers, keeping in mind that you are looking for smooth ripples.

Step 4: Dimensional Offsets

Depending on the type of look you want, you have 2D and 3D images to choose from. Play around with these to decide which will look best with your flag.

Step 5: Shadows and Highlights

To give your flag a real look of movement, you will need to add shadows and highlights to it. These effects will only enhance the rippling. Create a black and white photo of your original image and then copy it to your clipboard. Do this by pressing control and C simultaneously. Paste this to the current image you now have as a 'new layer'. You can do this by pressing control and 'L' simultaneously.

View your 'layers palette' by pressing your F8 button. You will need to change the 'layer blend mode' of the newest layer to darken. This option will be available in the drop down box in the 'layer' feature at the top of the screen. The 'opacity' will be the best at about 50%.

Once you have done this, you will need to go to the 'adjust' option and choose 'blur' from the drop box menu and go with 'Gaussian blur'. While in the dialog, it is recommended to go with a setting of 18.

Use your eraser tool on the left hand side of the screen to take care of any shadows that may fall outside of your flag. In order to get the shadows bonded with the flag, you will need to go to the 'layers' feature and choose 'merge' from there you will go to the 'merge down' option. Be sure to do this while the shadow layer is active.

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