Glass Effect and Paint Shop Pro

This tutorial is by request from a member of the WrapCandy forum.  This tutorial is written in Paint Shop Pro X but will work in earlier versions as well as newer versions.  Some techniques will also work in Adobe Photoshop CS and Adobe Photoshop Elements.  This tutorial will focus on Paint Shop Pro.

There are several ways to create a glass or “domed” effect in Paint Shop Pro.  Some require a plugin.  Some examples of methods to create a glass “domed” effect are:

1. Cutout & Starburst Effect Combination

2. Balls and Bubbles Effect

3. Eye Candy 5 Impact Glass Effect

4. Shapes & Feathering

Today, we are going to focus on using our shapes and feathering options in Paint Shop Pro.  This will not require any plugins. So, let’s get started.

Step 1 – Open a new image using the following settings:

Step 2 – Select Ellipse from your preset shapes tool:

Using the following settings (located on your toolbar at the top), draw out a circle on your canvas:

Mode: Draw Circle

Line Style:  Solid

Width: 20

Anti-alias Checked

Your image should appear similar to below (depending on your color choice).  For this tutorial I am going to be using a solid gold color (we will make this into metallic as we go along in this tutorial).

Now we are going to make this metallic.

Step 3 – Right click on the Layer titled Vector and select Convert to Raster Layer

Step 4 – Go to Effects/Artistic Effect/Hot Wax Coating

Step 5 – Repeat Hot Wax Coating then go to Effects/Artistic Effects/Chrome and use the following settings:

Step 6 – Go to Effects/3D Effects/Inner Bevel and use the following settings:

Your circle frame should now appear as below (May appear differently in color depending on the color you selected as your circle initially)

Step 7 – Using your magic wand, select the area OUTSIDE of the circle and then go to Selections/Invert and then Selections/Modify/Contract and use the following settings:

Step 8 – Go to Layers/New Raster Layer and then using the flood fill tool, fill this selected area with the color, gradient or pattern of your choice.  For this tutorial I am using a pattern.  Then go to Selections/Select None.

******** NOTE ********

If you already have a design image in a circle shape, you can place it in the new raster layer without having to make the above selections.  Simply pull up the image you already have, go to Edit/Copy and then return to the workspace that contains our metallic ring and go to Edit/Paste As New Layer. Using your Pick Tool (Raster Deform if using PSP 9 or earlier) and then position it where you need it to be making sure the layer is moved (click on it and drag it below the metallic rings in the layer pallet) and sits BEHIND the metallic ring we just created. 

******** END NOTE ********

OK…so I flood filled with a pattern and then moved (as stated above) the layer BELOW the metallic ring layer.

Our image now should appear similar as below:

Step 9 – Now, we want to select the layer that has our metallic ring on it (making it the active layer) and then using the magic wand tool select the area INSIDE the metallic ring.

Now…we have a couple options here before we move along.  This tut was written for someone who wanted to make displays of glass domed (flat backed) Christmas ornaments.  So, if that is the type of display you are needing you may skip this next step and move on to step 11.  IF…however, you are wanting to make the pattern appear rounded then you will need to follow the next step.

**** NOTE ****

This next step is a great effect to use when making pearls or Christmas baubles.

**** END NOTE ****

Step 10 – With the inside of the ring selected, make the pattern filled layer the active layer (this should be called Raster 3) then go to Effects/Geometric Effects/Spherize

Adjust the size of your sphere you want to use.  For this tutorial we will be using the following settings:

Go to Selections/Select None.

Step 11 – Now, click on the metallic ring layer to make it the active layer and then using your Ellipse Tool in your Preset Shapes Tool make a circle similar to the one below (The color of your circle does not matter) But you must set the following settings:

Mode: Draw Circle

Line width should be set to 0

Anti-alias Checked

Place your solid circle as below:

Step 12 – Repeat the step above, except change the color of your circle and place it as below:

Both of these vector circles should be on the same layer which is named Vector 1.

Step 13 – Select the outer vector circle so that only that color is selected.  For example:  In my image, I will click on the white area and my “marching ants” will appear as below.

Step 14 – Go to Layers/New Raster Layer and create a new layer. Then go to Selections/Modify/Feather and use the following settings:

Now close the eye next to the vector layer so that the layer is now invisible. Then return to the new raster layer you just created (Raster 4) and make it the active layer by clicking on the layer.  At this point your workspace should appear as below:

Step 15 – Flood fill this feathered selection using WHITE. Then go to Selections/Select None. Your image will appear similar to below (depending on your pattern, gradient, color choice)

Step 16 – Now right click on the Raster 4 layer and select Duplicate then go to Image/Mirror and then Image/Flip.  Your image should appear similar to below.

Now make sure your top layer is the active layer (should read as Copy of Raster 4) and then go to Layers/Merge/Merge Down.  Double click the Raster 4 layer and name it “Glass Effect”.  Double Click the Raster 2 layer and name it “Metallic Ring”.  Double click on the Raster 3 layer and name it “Pattern”.

Save your file as a psp image that you can go into later and just change the pattern and spherize or just a pattern without spherize if desired.  This eliminates having to create the glass effect again when you need it at a later date.

That is it!  This is the way to create the glass domed effect without plugins!  Now, bear in mind, you can change the width and length of your glass effect by placing your vector circles differently if you wish.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!