PDN Tips and Tricks

[Simon Brown]

I can't remember - but I think so. :?

[richie123]

Nice list., Thanks for the share :oops:

[PyroTechniques]

I'm also still wrapping my brain around Alpha Mask, but it looks like one of those things that will become essential once I understand how it works.

Two excellent tutorials by CMD on how to use Alpha Masking can be found on this page, the "Alpha Masking Overview" and "Alpha Masking - Cutouts" tutorials.

[LFC4EVER]

You can drag and drop image files into PDN and then you can choose whether to add it as a tab, or as a new layer in the current document.

[atypicalcarl]

Always save BEFORE applying an effect to a large image.

Keep a black background layer and a white background layer while working on images with transparency. Toggle the visibility on the temporary background layers to check your work against the backdrop with the best contrast. It saves the eyes and makes for easier and cleaner work.

edited to remain on topic.

[Goonfella]

If you need guides to line up an image properly create a temporary guides layer and use the line tool to put the guides where you need them. Use the rulers to line them up and a bright colour such as red.

Or for a more complex image use the Grid/Checkerboard maker plug in to make a grid across the whole layer if you need to draw something accurately.

[Blooper]

Using the eraser at about 15 opacity mimics soft erasing.

[Gamer_World14]

If you need guides to line up an image properly create a temporary guides layer and use the line tool to put the guides where you need them. Use the rulers to line them up and a bright colour such as red.

Or for a more complex image use the Grid/Checkerboard maker plug in to make a grid across the whole layer if you need to draw something accurately.

Great tip, I actually used this recently for an church website banner, it worked.

[petewolfbane]

heres another tip: if you use the custom brush plugin, use it in a new canvas, that way you can resize to the size you want it to be, without the cut edges.

[Goonfella]

Using the eraser at about 15 opacity mimics soft erasing.

Now thats an interesting idea. I`ll have to give that a go sometime.

As far as custom brushes on a separate layer, that`s something I always do. If you find you don`t want the effect anymore you can just delete the layer.

[petewolfbane]

As far as custom brushes on a separate layer, that`s something I always do. If you find you don`t want the effect anymore you can just delete the layer.

no i was meaning on a new canvas so that you can use the brush at it' s full size.

[Goonfella]

Sorry. Misunderstood what you were saying. I suppose my suggestion could be considered as another tip then .

[Kemaru]

I don't use the Custom Brushes plugin. Instead, I open the .png brush file as a new image and copy/paste it into my image.

[Gamer_World14]

I don't use the Custom Brushes plugin. Instead, I open the .png brush file as a new image and copy/paste it into my image.

Yeah, that would work because then you could rotate the brush after that too

[oma]

I don't use the Custom Brushes plugin. Instead, I open the .png brush file as a new image and copy/paste it into my image.

Yeah, that would work because then you could rotate the brush after that too

exactly what I said in my palm leaf tut.

for the very same reason.

[Gamer_World14]

exactly what I said in my palm leaf tut.

for the very same reason.

Really? -Lol.

[LFC4EVER]

I don't use the Custom Brushes plugin. Instead, I open the .png brush file as a new image and copy/paste it into my image.

Thats what i do lol. Its more flexible imo, but when i use hi-res brushes.. it takes a long time to use em..

[Goonfella]

I think I`ll give that a go. Sounds like a much more flexible option for brushes. Nice tip. :wink:

[Blooper]

You've got to love the fact that no one did this (AFAIK) before the CB plugin was out, but now that we have it people like it better this way.

[LFC4EVER]

I didn't even know much about brushes before the custom brush plugin came out. :shock:

[oma]

never knew about brushes either untill the brush plugin. I still never use the plugin unless I make my own. I really find the cut and paste method quicker have used that since the beginning most likely will continue as its frankly just as quick.

ciao

[Simon Brown]

Actually...

Then explain this? You state in this thread that you used photoshop. Then you post your image saying you don't have photoshop. What?

The thread is called "how can i make little shinig dots ?" in GD&Q.

PS brushes come in two forms, one of them being .PNG's.

Meaning you can use PS brushes, just import the .PNG into PDN, select the image part of it, then copy and paste. Simple

[Lance McKnight]

If you need guides to line up an image properly create a temporary guides layer and use the line tool to put the guides where you need them. Use the rulers to line them up and a bright colour such as red.

Or for a more complex image use the Grid/Checkerboard maker plug in to make a grid across the whole layer if you need to draw something accurately.

Here something else to enhance Goonfella's tip about the Grid/Checkerboard plug-in. Sometime when using the plug-in, the image disappear if on the layer beneath the Grid. Before rendering the Grid, set your Secondary color to full transparency, and run the Grid render.

[Kemaru]

Or, you can check the Foreground only checkbox.

E: Whoops, wrong plugin. :oops:

[Goonfella]

Here something else to enhance Goonfella's tip about the Grid/Checkerboard plug-in. Sometime when using the plug-in, the image disappear if on the layer beneath the Grid. Before rendering the Grid, set your Secondary color to full transparency, and run the Grid render.

Good idea Stormy. Never thought of that .