Software: Corel PhotoImpact X3
Author: MaryLou White
Home Page: Wishing Well Tutorials

Title: Easy Stitching
Skill Level: Intermediate
Materials Needed: None

Description: Use the Bend tool to create a nice variety of stitches! You can use almost any object to create a stitch with, even a dingbat font. The idea for this tutorial is based on a tutorial for Paint Shop Pro manual but we do not use a third party filter to create the stitching. You can create round stitching or straight line stitching with this tutorial but you cannot use it to create stitching around another shape.

WORK MODE
PhotoImpact X3 has several preset work modes. For this tutorial, we will be using the Full Edit mode so all of the tools in PhotoImpact will be available to you.

As you work, use your mouse to drag this along with you to mark your place.

LET'S GET STARTED

  1. Open a new image, 400x400, white background.

  2. Click on the Text tool and select a sans-serif font, color brown, size 22
    Note: A san-serif font is one without little "arms" dangling and little lines under the letters like you see in the Times New Roman font. Sans-serif means without decorations like the Verdana and Arial fonts.

  3. Type the letter T on your canvas.

  4. Open your Easy Palette. In the Galleries, click on Text/Path Effects and select Wrap.

  5. Scroll down until you find Bend 18.

  6. Right-click on Bend 18 and select Modify Properties and Apply. Your text must be "active" or this option will not be available to you.

  7. Set your values as shown in the screen below and press the Preview button. The results should look like the mine. if you want a larger circle, increase the Repeat value and preview again.

  8. To save these settings, click the Add button and add it to your gallery. This will save only the settings used in the bend. It does not save the letter T. When finished, click Okay.
  9. Use the Path tool and draw a circle slightly smaller than your stitching and send it to the back. Select both pieces and center align.

  10. Select the circle and apply a fill pattern of your choice and add a decoration. That's it, you're done!

VARIATIONS

Let's look at the Bend screen values.
Count: the number of times the letter you selected will be repeated.
Spacing: the amount of space between each repetition.
Amount: determines the percent of bending. 100% makes a full circle. If you wanted a straight line of stitching, you would set the percent to zero%. Here is an example with the bend amount set to zero:

In the Advanced area, if you do NOT check the first box, letters such as T will not bend with the curve. They will remain upright.

QUICK STITCH

If you added your bend to the Easy Palette, let's give it a try.
  1. Open a new image 300x300 white background.

  2. Type the letter X near the center top of the image.

  3. While your letter is still active, click on the saved bend in your gallery. That's it, you're done!

Here are a few examples to show other letters being used. In the gold one, I used a dingbat.


Here are a few more examples made by the mentors in the Beginners Worksnop:



You're invited to join the PIRC Fourm! This is an active PhotoImpact Forum where you'll find a wonderful group of warm, friendly, talented, and knowledgeable people who are ready and willing to share their expertise with you. There are creative activities for all levels of PhotoImpact users. This forum is 100% free and everyone is welcome.

Copyright© MaryLou White.
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