Collage making

[eiyintova]

I am very, very new to paint.net and tried my hand at making a collage based on answers to questions posed by ksue and answered by Sarkut. back in April. I still am having problems with the layers and with the picture sizes. If I want my main finished picture to be let's say 8x10 what do I do? I thought I resized it to that but when I printed it it came out as a 3x4 box in the upper right hand corner.

Also how do I know the dimensions of a resized picture? Do I resize and save it as it's own file and then retrieve it after I add a new layer?

I don't know what happened to my layers? I had three layers on the picture but had to flatten them when I saved the project and then when I looked at the layers history there was only one. Can I change after I save?

Is there a way to create rounded instead of square or rectangle pictures to add to a base picture when making collages. How would you do that? I did not understand KSue when she said she had made lots of circles and was on a roll

Thank you

[Sarkut]

eiyintova,

This tutorial explains about image size

as it relates to printing size and other

related considerations.

DPI and YOU

====================================

Do I resize and save it as it's own file and then retrieve it after I add a new layer?

Yes. You can resize and save it as it's own file.

When you save the resized image, save it as a different filename,

to preserve the original image file.

The resized image can then be brought into your collage project file by using:

Layers > Import From File...

====================================

I don't know what happened to my layers? I had three layers on the picture but had to flatten them when I saved the project and then when I looked at the layers history there was only one.

If you save a multi-layer file as a .pdn file it will preserve the layers.

If you need a flattened file for immediate use as a standard image,

save as .pdn before flattening, then save again as PNG

or whatever you need.

You should then have two image files. One single layer file and the

multi-layer .pdn file.

=====================================

Can I change after I save?

Once a file has been closed the History is lost.

=====================================

Is there a way to create rounded instead of square or rectangle pictures

to add to a base picture when making collages?

Using the Ellipse Select tool while holding down the Shift key

will result in a circular selection.

Position the circular selection on a rectilinear image with the Move Selection tool.

Then use this keyboard combination:

Ctrl C

Ctrl+Shift V

This will copy and paste the circular selection into a new layer.

The layer with the original rectilinear image can then

be deleted or made not visible by removing its

checkmark in the Layers window.

Edited May 26, 2010 by Sarkut

[eiyintova]

I am very, very new to paint.net and tried my hand at making a collage based on answers to questions posed by ksue and answered by Sarkut. back in April. I still am having problems with the layers and with the picture sizes. If I want my main finished picture to be let's say 8x10 what do I do? I thought I resized it to that but when I printed it it came out as a 3x4 box in the upper right hand corner.

Also how do I know the dimensions of a resized picture? Do I resize and save it as it's own file and then retrieve it after I add a new layer?

I don't know what happened to my layers? I had three layers on the picture but had to flatten them when I saved the project and then when I looked at the layers history there was only one. Can I change after I save?

Is there a way to create rounded instead of square or rectangle pictures to add to a base picture when making collages. How would you do that? I did not understand KSue when she said she had made lots of circles and was on a roll

Thank you

How do I create a size 8x10? Each time I tried to resize it did not work and I landed up with a 3x4 picture.

Also, is there a way to size the circle once I make it? Do I just have to use visualization or can the circle have a size measurement assigned to it?

The second time I save the file can I save it as a jpeg so that I can upload and have it printed online?

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOUR TUTORIAL INFORMATION I REALLY APPRECIATE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sarkut]

How do I create a size 8x10? Each time I tried to resize it did not work and I landed up with a 3x4 picture.

What steps and settings specifically are you using when printing?

Have you chosen the 8X10 option in the Print dialogue?

--------------------------------------------------------------

If the printer is printing at a DPI setting that is different from the

pixels per inch setting of your image, then it will affect image size.

Also, is there a way to size the circle once I make it?

Do I just have to use visualization or can the circle have a size measurement assigned to it?

The circle selection can be resized using the Move Selection tool

on a corner adjusting node while holding down the Shift key.

------------------------------------------------------------

The status bar at the bottom of the Paint.NET UI window will

show Bounding Rectangle size while the Move Selection tool

is being used.

This is equivalent to diameter when the selection is circular.

The second time I save the file can I save it as a jpeg so that I can upload and have it printed online?

Yes.

Edited May 26, 2010 by Sarkut

[eiyintova]

thanks I will try all that over the weekend and see if I have success this time around. Really appreciate the help

[eiyintova]

What steps and settings specifically are you using when printing?

Have you chosen the 8X10 option in the Print dialogue?

--------------------------------------------------------------

If the printer is printing at a DPI setting that is different from the

pixels per inch setting of your image, then it will affect image size.

The circle selection can be resized using the Move Selection tool

on a corner adjusting node while holding down the Shift key.

------------------------------------------------------------

The status bar at the bottom of the Paint.NET UI window will

show Bounding Rectangle size while the Move Selection tool

is being used.

This is equivalent to diameter when the selection is circular.

Yes.

Thank you the collage came out great once I figured out what I had to do. I did not yet experiment with the circles. I guess the next one will be like that. Can I presize a picture with the lasso tool, save it then add it as a layer as I did for the rectangle pictures?

I still am having trouble with the clone tool. I guess I am somewhat of a klutz. I think it is pure luck when I get it to work. I can't seem to figure out how far apart to make the cursor from the part it is copying. Some times I get it correct and other times it is worthless. Hit or miss. Can you outline the steps I need to take to get it the first time and not by accident after having my fingers trip over each other

Thanks your answers are terrific and very helpful. Happy holiday

[Sarkut]

Can I presize a picture with the lasso tool, save it then add it as a layer as I did for the rectangle pictures?

Yes. Make your Lasso selection, apply BoltBait's Selection Feather plugin effect then:

Image > Crop to Selection.

Save as PNG.

I still am having trouble with the clone tool.

Clone Stamp can be difficult at first.

Here's the Help page for it:

http://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/en/CloneStamp.html

After you have set the anchor point, the next left-click of the mouse

sets the relative angle and distance of stamp point to anchor point .

That remains constant until you reset the anchor point.

So, the anchor point, where the image pixels are being drawn from,

trails along behind the stamp point wherever you move the mouse.

==============================================

I'm concerned that you may be using clone stamp

for a task that has a better and easier way.

Could you explain in more detail what you're using Clone Stamp for here?

[eiyintova]

There was a garbage can in the background of a great picture of my granddaughter so I wanted to get rid of it and put more of the fence that was on either side of the garbage pail. It worked out pretty good I don't know what else I could have done -cropping would not have gotten rid of all of it. In fact I was having problems with the cropping tool as well-maybe you can point me to the cropping tool instructions again. You most probably would be surprised if I told you I took a course in photography two years ago that worked with photo shop. I don't remember much of from there but I did look back at my notes and that was helpful.

Thanks again

[Sarkut]

Okay, that sounds like a good use for Clone Stamp.

.

Here's a link to the online Help file:

http://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/en/index.html

The Help file can be accessed from Paint.NET by pressing the F1 key.

Here's the page that deals with cropping to selection:

http://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/en/ImageMenu.html

Edited May 31, 2010 by Sarkut

[eiyintova]

Okay, that sounds like a good use for Clone Stamp.

.

Here's a link to the online Help file:

http://www.getpaint....t/en/index.html

The Help file can be accessed from Paint.NET by pressing the F1 key.

Here's the page that deals with cropping to selection:

http://www.getpaint..../ImageMenu.html

thanks- My next project will be with the circles-I'm sure I'll have questions, at least I will know whom to ask. Enjoy the day

[eiyintova]

thanks- My next project will be with the circles-I'm sure I'll have questions, at least I will know whom to ask. Enjoy the day

[eiyintova]

I about to make a new collage and forgot to ask how to create a white border around the small pictures I am going to layer on top of the main picture

thanks

[Sarkut]

Open the main picture in Paint.NET.

Import each smaller image one-by-one.

Layers > Import from File...

The smaller image will import into its own new layer, in the upper left corner.

It will be selected and the Move Selected Pixels tool will be active.

Use the mouse to position it away from the canvas edge.

Press the Esc key to deselect.

--------------------------------------------------

Use pyrochild's Outline Object plugin to add the borders.

Set the Width as you like.

Color white.

For a rectangular image, checkmark Angled and Both Sides.

Run the plugin effect twice, once at zero Angle, once at 90.00 Angle.

--------------------------------------------------

For a circular image, run the plugin effect with Angled and Both Sides not checked.

Afterwards, use dpy's AA's Assistant at default.

==============================================

Outline Object

Click on the text that says: Download from box.net

---------------------------

AA's Assistant

Click on: Download dpyplugins5.1.zip

[eiyintova]

thanks. It will be interesting to see if I can figure it out and do it correctly. How do I put the grid on the layer so that I can position the picture straight. My little pictures came out a bit tilted. Not too bad and I'm the only one who notices but I am my biggest critic