Joy's PI Continue Draw Tutorial

This Tutorial is written for PhotoImpact 6 with the March 2001 Patch.


  Continue Draw tutorial is recommended   for Advanced PI users.



  Before you start this project:      Determine if you want to use the settings given in the Tutorial for the Stainglass Layer. You can download my presetslocated at the end of this tutorial. Or use   stainglass samples provided by   Spectrum Glass.
 
  Also decide if you want to add any other decorations to be used with the individual layers or just added on top of the top layer.


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Bottom Red-Gold glass Layer.
Open a new file 400 pixels by 450 pixels and background white. Select View- Ruler on pixels.  This is the bottom layer of the graphic.  This whole project will use the Continue Draw Path Mode and the Path Edit Mode.
The term H after a pixel number is Horizonal and V is Vertical, indicating positions on the ruler.
Use File/Save as... to save as a UFO file frequently.
Click the Path Drawing Tool(first diagram shown) Select Path solid shapes button on attribute bar. SHORTCUT: Letter D for switching thru the boxes of the Path Drawing Tool bar quickly.
Click for large image
1.Draw first path.
Click the rectangle shape and draw a vertical rectangle with upper left hand corner at 100 V and 100 H.  Pull the mouse across the right corner to end at 350 V and 300 H. On the Path Attribute bar click Mode and then in the drop-down menu box- Continue Draw.. This will enable you to continue drawing on the same path shape.
2. Draw second Path.  Again select Solid Shape button. Click the elliptical shape. Position your mouse on the top horizonal bar of the rectangle at the 101 V and the 150 H and pull mouse down to bottom of the rectangle releasing the elliptical shape at the 349 V and the 250 H mark.  It should be centered exactly.
Click for large image
3.Drawing 3rd and 4th Path for cross.
1. Stay in the Continue Draw mode. Select Solid Shape button on Attribute bar and click retangle shape. Position mouse 5 pixels down from the center top of the elliptical shape at 110 V and 195 H. Pull mouse down passed bottom of elliptical shape releasing the rectangle shape at 355 V and 210 H.
2. Start another rectangle at right-hand outside of elliptical shape at 170 V and 145 H. Pull mouse down slightly and across releasing mouse at 180 V 260 H.
4. Selecting the Attibutes for the new Path Layer.
1. Click on the attribute bar. Now switch back to the 2d object Mode. Click the Options button and be sure the Even Odd fill is not ckecked.  the Material button.Select Color/Texture tab- Gallery-Glass- then Orange two. Bevel tab-3d custom mode, click 5th or last button to the right, Round corners. Border/Depth tab-Border:57 Depth:30, Type of border-Both. In order for the layers to fit together right this layer must be larger than the others. Shading tab -Phong -Shininess:0 and Strength:19. Transparency tab:80 percent. Copy it to your Easy Palette under the Add button on the Attribute bar.
2. File/Save your file as a UFO in a separate folder where you can put all the individual layers.
3. Press control + D to duplicate the entire canvas twice. and drag each to a new frame. File/Save as UFO each file separately. You can close these to save memory.  If your computer tends to crash easily, File/Save the orginial and close it without losing the Path mode. Before you continue File/Save as a UFO with another name to use as a working copy.
When you use the any of the effects other than those under Material Path mode you will not be able to edit in the Path mode again.
4. Now if you are satisfied that you will no longer be adjusting this layer you can now select Format/Hue and Saturation. Hue-12 and Saturation-70. This can also be done later just before you assemble the layers.
Middle Layer-Stainglass Lilac-
Open one of the duplicates. Select Path Drawing tool button. Select with Pick tool the object on your workspace and click 2d object under Mode on Attribute bar. Click Options and Check the box for Even Odd fill. Select Material button. Color/Texture tab - Click on the Gradient Fill window . Then select Two-colors box then right click on colors window and pick Windows Color Picker. Set dark lilac at R-75, G-33 and B-61. Set the light lilac at R-206, G,-187,B-202 and circular direction fill . Select Bevel tab - 3d round -Select In-Type of border, mitered corners, Border tab-border:99, depth:30, Check Smooth spine box. Select Bump tab- File... and look under PI 6 Program Folders - Materials for Bump12.jpg. Select 50 percent and check for a reflection. Reflection tab - None. Select Shading tab- Phong - Shininess:80 and Strength:70. and Transparency tab:80 percent. Use default 1 for lights. With your mouse on the sample in the window move the light to the middle of the upper-left section.
Save as UFO the second layer file and copy it to your Easy Palette under Gallerys under the Add button on the Attribute bar.
Remember that anytime you need to edit a path that you have drawn, you just click on the Path Edit tool and toggle the switch to do an path edit. 
Click for large image
Continue Draw the Top Layer-Lilac frame
Open last duplicate. Click the Path Drawing Tool button. Select with Pick tool the object on your workspace. Check the Odd/Even fill box. Click on Continue Draw under Mode on Attribute bar. Select the Arch 2 in Solid Shapes Custom Library
1. Start the arch shape at the just inside the upper right-hand corner of the rectangle Drag mouse diagonally across to bottom left-hand corner stopping exactly on the corner line.
  2. Path Editing the Top Layer-Lilac frame
Go back to the Path drawing button on the tool bar and in the drop down menu click Path Edit Tool. Then click the Toggle button and make sure the Edit Point Picker button is selected and the Edit Free also. First click on any part of the arch. You may need to use the Magnifier to find the pivot point on the top of the arch. Remember you can utilize the - or + to move the workscreen up or down so you can keep the mouse in view.
3. Click Free Edit on Path Edit Attribute bar. Check to see that the arch path is not touching the top of rectangle path and it is above the elliptical path. At the top of the arch point, click on the top red outline box . Hit Control 0. Then you will be able to see two red arms extend out. Grap one and swing it up and out so that it clears the cross arms. Do the same on the other side. Then shorten the arms in horizonally, sliding them to make a steeper arch. Toggle off Path Edit. Select Path Drawing and Continue Draw. 4. Select Solid Shape rectangle and place your mouse at 80 V and 80 H. Pull mouse across to 370 V and 320 H. This will be the outside frame.
Edit/Save this layer as a separate UFO file now.
Click for large image
Adding Flowers
Now you can add flowers and stem with leaves if you want them to be part of the frame. Select the flower object ahead and save it in the EP. In your PI6 Stamp Tool area is a lily that you can paste on the top lilac frame file. When you use the Continue Draw Mode you can you can trace it with the Spline tool and then add the stem and leaves can be Plant 1 under Solid Shape/Custom Shapes.
Or use my lily UFO path Zip file for placing it separately after the layers are assembled.
Click on the Path Drawing tool to set the Attributes of the Top Layer.
Click Options and Check the box for Even Odd fill. Click Attribute bar Material button - Color/Texture tab -Gradient color and click window of the Multiple Colors palette -Select Palette ramp 12 (lilac) and then check the Circular direction Fill. Select Bevel tab-3d chisel and Mitered corner box. Border/Depth-border:4, depth:20, Type of border IN. Transparency tab - none. Reflection tab-select File... and in PI6 Program file, find Material-select Remap.jpg, Density:70 percent. Select Bump tab-File...PI6 Program file, find Paper then select -Paper002jpg -Density:100. Leave other boxes unchecked. Select Shading tab- Click Metallic Copper, Shininess:92 and Strength:19. Light tab: 2 direct, Ambient:30 percent. Remember once you use any of the standard object Effects on the path you will not be able to edit it in path mode again.
Use Pick Tool to arrange the 3 layers together.
1. Because the first bottom layer you made is far larger than you need. It is easier to control the looks of the final project if you do steps in this order. 1.With Pick Tool select the top lilac frame file only. Edit/Crop lilac frame as close to the its edges as possible. Use Control 0 to see full view.
2. Open middle lilac stain glass layer. Use Pick tool to select the object then Edit/Copy/ and Paste as an object on lilac top frame layer. Then use Pick Tool and Sent To Back Button.
3. Open gold bottom layer, Edit/Copy/ and Paste as an object on lilac top frame layer. Select Pick tool Sent To Back Button.
Select all layers with the Pick tool and Align using Center Both. Be sure only the top layer is shown fully in the window.
4. Now select Pick tool only the top lilac frame layer and click Edit/Crop. Under the EP Palette Layers box, Lock all in position.
Save as a UFO file without any merging to use later with different layering for unique images. If you wish share your creation with the rest of us, Save as...BMP file. Use the Object merge All and then Edit/Crop; do a Web- Image Optimizer -JPG.
I have changed attributes and assembled the layers of this project in many different ways. This one was used at another of our web sites.
It is also used in A Round Chapel Wallpaper
I know this has been a lengthy tutorial but I hope it will challenge you to use this very creative tool. 

Included in these presets is an alternate rock preset that was used in the above picture. Download My Presets 

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