Animated Lake in Paint Shop Pro 7
Many of us have seen and admire the Java Lake applet. I am no exception here, the effect is simply beautiful. I thought there must be a way to accomplish it without having to use java and class files and eliminating that gray window until it loads up, as well as browser incapatibilites. There are other tutorials out there for this, using other PSP versions, and PSP7,and most require filters, but this is what works for me. This tutorial has been written to accomplish the same effect, without Java, plug in's or use of a filter, or even a dynamic html script. Simply using PSP 7, and the tools available in the program. This is the first option method, the second, a simpler version, can be found here, or at a link at the bottom of this page. Also see my tutorial for animated snow here, and "stained glass effects" here. This tutorial was written by the webmistress to help anyone who cares to use it. Terms of use for this tutorial or any of my others are here. A link back is appreciated but not mandatory.
If you do want to use a java applet for a lake effect. I have a tutorial for using the Janim Lake Applet here. This applet is very versatile to use too, not only can you have a lake effect, but several other effects as well using it, without needing other class files. Simply using parameter changes.
ALake Effect without java or filters
Select a picture from your files on your computer to work with. Open this picture in Paint Shop. A .jpg or .bmp is best. When it comes time to animate it, the animation program will take care of converting it to a .gif for you. For the purpose of this tutorial I have chosen this picture. Although until you are more familiar with the program it would be best to select a picture with a lake already in it.
Since it did not have a lake, I created one. I copied the picture, flipped it and then pasted it at the bottom of my picture to create this picture to work with and create a "lake effect".
After opening the image in Paint Shop, go to your tools bar and select the "lasso" tool. Set it as follows:
Point to Point
Feather 0
Antialias unchecked.
Start at the left edge of your picture. Left click once, follow the shore line as it curves along the way, left clicking once each time you need to change the direction to trace the shoreline. We are trying to follow the shore line. Do this in a path all the way around the part of the image you want to add the lake effect to.
When you have reached the point you started with, double click to set the parameters. You should see a moving dotted line around the selected area.
Now go to "Windows" at the top right of the Paint Shop menu across the top and select "duplicate". Do this 3 times. You should now have 4 copies of the picture. Minimize them, one at a time, until all that is showing is the first one you started with. They will all be numbered in the order that you duplicated them..."image 1" and so forth. Your original will be named the picture you selected at the beginning. You can also choose to only duplicate the picture 3 times, by selecting "duplicate" only 2 times, and having 3 pictures to work with. If you choose to only use 3 after duplicating and having 4, simply maximize the last one duplicated and close it, and choosing NOT to save the changes to that image.
If by now, you are totally lost or getting frustrated, an alternative method for making a lake I use is here. Now that we have our picture selected and duplicated,and you haven't gotten lost or given up, it is time to start "making the magic" of the lake effect.
Click here to continue to part two.