

First thing we will do is open our image and add a new layer. To this layer we are going to add a grid (render...grid). This grid should be even across the image and start and end gridlines at all edges. You need to mark your grid to show foreground only. I try and keep the grid lines to a managable level but you can use as many as you wish.
Using this grid we are going to copy strips of vertical and horizontal rows and columns into new layers.

Having your active layer on the original image and using the grid as a guide, copy and paste double strips into new layers. In between each double strip leave a single strip.

Each new strip will need to be labeled vertical strip 1...2 etc, same for horizontal. You will end up with layers looking like this.

When you have all your strips you will need to add a drop shadow to each in turn. Width I used is 7 and Blur 10 with axis both on zero. Change this according to your personal preferences. (On doing more of these I can see you can merge all the vertical strips into 1 layer and the horizontal as well, this will give you less layers to struggle with)

After you have applied all your drop shadows you will have something resembling this.

This is where you will have to select sections from each strip to copy and paste into new layers over the top of the opposing layer. I like to start at the focal point and choose a section on a horizontal layer to lay over a vertical layer.
Copy from the horizontal layer and then paste into a new layer postioned above the appropriate vertical layer. (These "over strips" can also be placed in one layer at the top of your layer list if you wish) Do this as you look at your image alternating an under over weave pattern.

When copying choose rectangle select and start and end in the middle of the cut out squares.

You will notice that each time you paste a section over that part of the drop shadow duplicates along with it. Clean this up by cutting away excess shadow sections.
You can then flatten your image and add a background layer colour etc or as I did a border around the image.
Have fun.
Edited by Iwonder_who, 17 July 2011 - 01:27 PM.





















