I want to make a faded background image from a photo or scan

[articles411]

Hi,

I finally got this cool program running, and I would like to create some background images for some software I am creating.

I want them to be faded, such as you see on calenders where the text is over the picture. I want the picture to still have the details, but be a softer lighter image.

I have tried to do this with other programs with the contrast and lighten and darken but am not achieving the results I want. I don't want to change the specifics in those area, just lighten the whole effect of the picture.

Can this be done in Paint.net, and if so, can someone give me some detailed instructions.

Once I can perfect it, I will create a tutorial explaining it all to others and share it here, as a way of saying thank you to this forum.

Kindest regards,

Laurie

[S0S]

Try importing or opening the image as a layer and going to Layers -> Layers Properties and then using the Opacity slider to manipulate the transparency.

Also, if you could post the image file you are working with and the text, it might help in specifics.

[Illnab1024]

Hmm. Like this?

[Crazy Man Dan]

Or were you meaning something like that, where the text is overlayed over the image in a translucent white, where you can still see the image behind it, but it's lighter?

p.s. That image was not made with Paint.NET (I don't have access to Paint.NET on this computer), but it was made solely using features Paint.NET has. This effect can be easily done using Paint.NET.

[articles411]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately, I had to delete the program, I actually had to totally reformat my c drive because the Microsoft Net stuff took up to much of my memory. I am going to reinstall it on a different computer with a larger hard drive, and then will follow the suggestions above.

I would actually like a detail exlanation on how you did both of the pics above, they are both really cool in my opinion. :wink:

Kindest regards,

Laurie

[Rick Brewster]

Maybe we should make a separate "Tutorials" section of the forum?

[Bob]

Good idea.

[Alph Tech / STUART]

Indeed. First sticky: SEARCH FIRST

[Crazy Man Dan]

Well, mine (the "Eternity" one) is just an image with three layers.

The Background layer is the image, one I made a ling time ago with WorldMachine / Terragen.

The next layer is the large background text. The text was made in white, and the layers opacity setting was dropped (somewheres around 15%-25%, if I remember correctly).

Then the topmost layer is the smaller, readable text. That one has the same text in the same color, but at a smaller font size. Then that layers opacity was dropped (less this time, around 80% or so).