(magtag - minimagtag)
For PI 8
This is my first PhotoImpact tutorial.
Software: Ulead PhotoImpact 8
Author: Claudia Conover A.K.A. Dia
Homepage: Dia's Dimensions
Terms Of Use: Please Read
Title:"MAGTAG", smaller size(s) is a "minimagtag".
Skill Level: Intermediate
Featured Tools: Animation Gallery
Additional Files:
My Gold Preset
Flat Brush Font
Description: This is an animated magnified name tag. As the animation glides to the right it magnifies and hi-lights the letters in your name.
We will be working with the name Annette for this tutorial.
Unzip and Import my gold preset to your Easy Pallet.
Background
Step 1. Open a New Image 200x100 set up like this:
Alternate Step 2. You may give your background a color and avoid Steps 3 and 4 if you like. If you do, your background is finished and you may move to the 'Font' section.
Step 2. Over your New Image R-click, choose All.
Click on Edit, Trace, Selection Marquee and accept the default settings, Apply.
Change to 3D Round Mode above:
Step 3. Now you may apply my gold preset, (if you are using it or choose another of your liking from your Easy Pallet).
Open the Material box and set the bevel to 8. You want some 3D height, but not a round bevel.
R-click over the background and choose Merge. Your background is now finished.
Font
Step 1. Choose a font for your tag. Thicker letters work better than thinner ones, but not too thick works best. I am using the 'Flat Brush' font.
Step 2. Type your name.
Step 3. Click on the Transform Tool. You will have to stretch the font so it pretty much fills the background leaving room for a border all around. Use your best judgment on how big you want your name to be. R-click, Align, Center both.
Step 4. R-Click over the font or on the font object in the Layer Manager and choose shadow. Now adjust your shadow to how you'd like it to be - similar to the sample. Click Enter to deselect your font object.
Border
Step 1. Click on the background (not the font) and choose All.
R-click again and choose Border. In the Border box choose a number that is low enough to not run into your font and leaves a little space all around your name. Click on Preview and if it's good, click ok or adjust it, and then click OK.
Step 2. Click on Edit, Trace, Selection Marquee and accept the default settings. Change to 3D Mode, and open the Material box. Change the border to 99 and Apply. (If that's too high for your choice of presets, choose a number that looks good to you.)
Step 3. R-click and add a shadow to your Border.
R-click and Merge All. Your tag is finished except for the animation.
Animating Your Magtag
Step 1. Open your Easy Pallet and choose the Animation Gallery. R-click over the preview for Crystal 4 and choose Modify Properties and Apply from the menu.
Step 2. You need to have the same size background listed above to use these settings. Otherwise you will have to adjust your settings accordingly.
Scroll up to get to the magnifier and click on it.
Step 3. You must be on the first "animation frame" (where the long red arrow is pointing in the preview on the bottom right of the preview above). It should be set for it, but if not, click on the first tic mark. If you mess up and add a tic mark to the animation, click on it and use the - minus sign to delete it. Then click back on the first tic.
Step 4. Uncheck the "Keep Aspect Ratio" so you can change your numbered settings (on the top right) to what they need to be individually. Change the top number to 30 and the second number to 87.
Step 5. Use your cursor to move the magnifier so it's lined up with the left side just touching, but not into the border, and from top to bottom just touching as you see above. And wide enough to cover about one letter's width.
Step 6. You may leave the 3rd setting down on 50 (where the question mark is) for now. I go as low as 45 for some fonts or for more magnification and light intensity on the name's letters.
Step 7. Click on the last "animation frame" tic mark (where the red arrow below is showing you. Move your magnifier over and line it up against your right side border, but not on it, like you did for the left side. Change your numbered settings (on the right, top side) to match the preview or to what settings you used for the left side of your animation.
Step 8. Click on the wide arrow (red arrow below) to test your animation. :) You're almost finished!
Step 9. On the bottom of the preview make sure the setting is for "Still" and click on the Save button.
The animation needs to run just a tad slow to show up the letters individually as it runs by. The settings I always use for the speed (Frame Delay) of the animation on any size "magtag" or "minimagtag" is 18 or 20.
Uncheck 'Transparent Background, and don't 'Dither' unless you really need to. It may come out spotted if you do!
If you check 'Interlace' your animation will be a bit heavier than without, so I don't ever check it for an animation this small.
Step 10. Give it a name, and Click on Save! Your tag is now finished!
A "minimagtag" is a smaller version of this magtag of any size. :)
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial.
Feel free to contact me if you get stuck and need help!
Now that you have finished this tutorial, feel free to R-click save it and display it on your webpage. This award is offered on the honor system.
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