Torn Paper - Beginning Level
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This will show you how to make the "torn paper" effect.
There are several ways, but this is an easy one to do.
You should have some knowledge of layers.
If you do not, please refer to the tutorial
Introduction to Layers and Opacity.
To make your papers a bit fancier, you may want to review the tutorial
Colors, Gradients, Patterns and Textures.
I used Paint Shop Pro 9 for this tutorial, however, you should be able to use other versions as
well.
For a free trial or to purchase Paint Shop Pro, click on the above link.
Step 1
Open a new transparent image.
To do this, select the icon in the upper left area of your Paint Shop Pro window that looks like a
piece of paper with the corner folded down:
You could also choose from your menu: File, New or use Ctrl-N.
In each case, a new window will come up.
Since I am doing this just to show the technique, I'm going to make my image 200x200 pixels
with a Raster Background, Resolution 72, 16 million colors.
If you are starting a scrapbook page, you'll want to make it the size and resolution you need.
Step 2
Create a background for your "paper" on the bottom.
You can use a solid color or create one with a gradient or pattern, with or without a texture.
Here's mine:
Name and save your file.
Step 3
Add a new Raster layer and create a background for your "paper" that will be on top.
Remember, it will cover your bottom "paper" for now.
Here's mine:
Save your file.
Step 4
Now you need to select your Selection Tool, the Freehand Selection Tool to be specific:
Draw, using your mouse or tablet, the area you want to remove.
Right click when you want to close the selection.
Remember, you'll want it to look jagged for that torn-paper look.
Also, to get all the way to the edge, draw outside your graphic on those sides.
Make sure you are on your "top paper" layer.
Hit the Delete key.
Select None (Ctrl-D or from the File Menu, Selections, Select None.)
Save your file.
Step 5
Select your Airbrush Tool.
It is found with your Paint Brush Tool.
Make your foreground white.
I used the following settings for the brush, but depending on the size of your project, you may
want to change the size of your brush.
You may also prefer a denser or less dense paint.
If so, play around with the opacity, density, and hardness settings.
Go to your bottom layer, add a new Raster layer.
Make sure this middle layer is active.
Now paint with your Airbrush along the "tear" you made.
You will want to have half the brush on either side of the tear.
You may paint over an area more than once, and you don't have to be exact.
After all, tears are not exact.
Save your file.
Step 6
Go to your top layer.
You will need to merge the top layer and the middle layer.
To do this, on your layer palette, right click on the top layer.
A menu will appear.
Select, Merge, Merge Down.
We will now add a drop shadow (Effects, 3D Effects, Drop Shadow.)
I used these settings: Vertical - 0, Horizontal - 3, Opacity - 50, Blur - 5.
It doesn't matter if you put the shadow on a new layer or not.
Again, depending on the size of your project and your preference,
you may play around with the settings.
Save your file, you're done!
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