Diamond Frame

I own the intellectual copyright for the written tutorial.  What you make is yours, but please do not take my tutorial.  Share only my link.

This tutorial is intended for beginners to learn how to create a Diamond pattern and frame.  If you have any questions, please feel free to Email  me.

To do this tutorial you will also need Paint Shop Pro.  I wrote this with  Paint Shop Pro X2, but the steps may also be done in any version.  You may download a free trial at Corel.

Remember to save as a psp file often!

1.  Open a new, transparent image, size 50 x 100 pixels.

2.  Change the pen tool set to segment,  width = 1 or 2 pixels, check Create as Vector

3.  Set the foreground color = white, background = NULL.  Draw a segment from top left corner to bottom right corner.

4.  Right-click on the vector layer and choose Convert to Raster Layer.

5.  Right-click on top layer and choose Duplicate.

6.  Image > Flip

7.  Right-click on top layer and choose merge > Merge Visible

8.  Minimize this image for later use.

9.  Open the graphic that you want to use.  Crop it, and resize so that it is no bigger than 350 pixels wide.

10.  Right-click on the layer and choose Promote Background layer.

11.  Slide the opacity to 60%

12.  Layers > New Raster Layer

13.  Drag the new raster layer to the bottom and flood-fill it with white or other pastel color

14.  Click back on top layer.

15.  Layers > New Raster Layer

16.  Set the Material Properties to Pattern, and choose the diamond patter that you made.  Angle = 0, Scale = 100

17.  Flood-fill the top layer with the diamond pattern.

18.  Effects > 3D Effects > Cutout.    Set Vertical & Horizontal = 0, Opacity = 75, Blur = 2, Shadow color = black.

19.  With the magic wand, select inside of 4 or 5 diamonds -- scattered.  Hold the SHIFT key to select more than one diamond.

20.   Layers > New Raster Layer

21.  Flood-fill these diamonds with a gold, silver, or colored gradient of your choice.

22.  Slide the opacity to 47

23.  Image > Add Borders   Symmetric, size = 5, color = white

22.  Use the magic wand to select the white border.  Flood-fill it with the color or gradient of your choice.

23.  Image > Add Border  Symmetric, size = 10, color = medium light color from your image.

24.  Effects > Textures > Blinds  Width = 3, Opacity = 40, color = black, CHECK horizontal, and CHECK light from left/top

25.  Effects > 3D Effects > Inner Bevel  Pie Bevel, Width = 25, smoothness = 25, depth = 3, ambience = 0, shininess = 50, color = white, angle = 315, intensity = 50, elevation = 28

26.  Image > Add Borders    Symmetric, size= 3, color = white

27.  Use the magic wand to select the white border and flood-fill it with the same gradient/ color from Step 22.

28.  Image > Add Borders  Symmetric, size = 50, color = white

29.  With the magic wand, select the white border.   Set your Materials Properties to Pattern and choose your original image.  Flood-fill the selected border with your large image.

30.   Layers > New Raster Layer

31.  Set the pattern to the diamond pattern you made, and flood-fill the new layer selection with the diamond pattern.

32.  With the magic wand, click on the pattern lines, and now the diamond pattern will be selected.

33.  Flood-fill the selection with a gradient, or color of your choice.  Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow.  Vertical & Horizontal = 1, Opacity = 50, Blur = 2, Color = black

34.  Right-click on the top layer and choose Merge > Merge Down

35.  Select > Select All.  Select > Modify > Contract selection by 50 pixels

36.  Image > Add Borders  Symmetric > Size= 3, Color = white

37.  Select the white border and flood-fill the white border with the gradient/color of your choice from Step 22

38.  Add your text and save as a JPEG.  File > Export > Jpeg Optimizer

 Please do not remove this tutorial from my site.  Share my url.