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Creating seamless backgrounds in PSP6:

1.    Select and open a graphic that you like, one that you want to use to create a

       background.

 

2.    Open a new file, 400 x 400.  This will only be used as a "test zone"--no need to save.

3.    In your graphic, use the selection tool to select an area that you think will make

       a good background. If you get too close to the edge, you'll get an error message. 

       PSP needs a little breathing room around the sides to make the tile seamless.

 

       Look at the image below.  I've drawn a red box around an area that would make an

       ideal background.

                                                                       

 

4.    Pull down the Selections menu and Convert to Seamless Pattern.  You'll get a new

       image with your tile.

 

                                                                      

5.    Change to the flood fill tool .  Right click and select tool options.  Tell the fill

       bucket to use a pattern.

                                                        

                                                               

6.    Now tell the fill bucket to use your pattern.  Select the second tab (marked as a

       grid).  Select your pattern from the pull down arrow.

                                                                                   

    

7.    Now put your bucket over the new image you created, your "test zone" and click.

       You'll see what your tile will look like as a background .          

                                                                 

        If you're happy, stop here.  Save your small tile to use in your script and throw the

        test zone away. If you don't like the results, reselect another area from the original

        image and do it again!

 

        If you think that your background tile is too dark, read on....

 

8.    Want to be able to write on that background?  Lets lighten it up a bit. 

       We're going to add a new layer and flood fill it with about 40% white.

 

       We'll be working on the small, seamless tile you created, not the test zone.  So

       select it now. Pull down the layers menu and select New Raster Layer.  Change

       Opacity to 40 and click OK.

                                   

                                                                           

 

9.    Select the eye dropper tool  and select white.  You can right click on the eye

       dropper tool to bring up the color palette.  Make certain white is selected as your

       foreground color.

   

                                                             

 

10.    Now, tell the fill bucket to use a solid.  Remember we had it set on pattern?  Go

         back to tool options and reset to solid.  Move your bucket over the small tile and

         click to fill.  You just filled your new raster layer (set at 40%) with white.

         Note:  For a different effect, try filling your new raster layer with 40% black.

 

                                                                   

 

11.    Want to adjust this?  Type a lower case l (that's L) on your keyboard to get the

         layer box.

 

                                                       

 

        See that arrow by layer 1 and the number 40?  Just slide the arrow around on the

        bar and adjust the background tile lighter or darker.