# Eyelets using Balls and Bubbles

What we'll do: We'll make a simple gold-colored eyelet like the one below using the Balls and Bubbles effect:

What you'll need: Paint Shop Pro 8's Balls and Bubbles effect, Warp effect, and the Warp Brush.

Steps:

The steps here begin just like those in the Brads using Balls and Bubbles tutorial. Then we end with a little twist to make the hole in the eyelet.

1. Open a new image with a transparent raster background. The image should be square, and for the dimensions 0.25" x 0.25" is good, with the Resolution set to 200 Pixels/inch.

2. Choose Effects > Artistic Effects > Balls and Bubbles. In the Presets drop-down list, select Gold Ball:

   Click OK. Your image will look like this:

3. Optional: You can flatten the ball a bit, or if you're happy with the ball as is you can skip directly to step 4. In my example, I flattened the ball.

   First, increase the canvas size a little using Image > Canvas Size. If the original image size is 50 pixels x 50 pixels (which is the size you'd get if you chose a 0.25" x 0.25" image at 200 Pixels/inch), choose 60 for both Width and Height. For Placement, click the center square. Then click OK.

   To flatten the ball, choose Effects > Distortion Effects > Warp. Be sure that both offsets are set to 0. Then set Size to 50 and Strength to 50 (or use whatever Size and Strength settings give you the effect you want).

4. At this point you might want to zoom in a little. Then choose the Selection tool and set the Selection type on the Tool Options palette to Circle and also select Anti-alias. Position the cursor in the exact middle of the image canvas. (Look at the lower right of the status bar to see the coordinates for the cursor position. For a 60 x 60 pixel, you'll want x=30 and y=30.) Then drag out a small circular selection, like this:

   Press the Delete key to cut out a small hole in the ball, then choose Selections > Select None (or press Ctrl+D).

5. Choose the Warp brush. On the Tool Options palette, set Warp mode to Expand, and set Size to 50 or so. Position the cursor in the exact middle of the image again, then click a few times until the hole is the size you want:

   Note that this gives the inside edge of the eyelet a more 3D look than if you had simply cut out a hole using only the Selection tool and the Delete key.

6. Now let's enhance the edges a bit. Choose Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow. Set both offsets to 0. Set Opacity to about 40 and Blur to 0. Choose black as the shadow Color. Click OK.

7. Save your image as a PNG using File > Export > PNG Optimizer. Use these settings:

   - Colors tab: 16.7 Million Colors (24 bit).

   - Transparency tab: Alpha channel transparency; Existing image or layer transparency.

   - Gamma tab: the default setting (45455)

   - Format tab: Non-interlaced.

   Click OK and save the image to the folder where you store your scrapbook elements.

   (And if you like, you can also save your eyelet as a Picture Tube using File > Export > Picture Tube.)

You can make all kinds of eyelets using this method. Experiment with the different settings for Balls and Bubbles to see what kinds of effects you can get. Also check out my Balls and Bubbles Basics tutorial to learn more about Balls and Bubbles.

Another option is to recolor your gold eyelet with Adjust > Hue and Saturation > Hue/Saturation/Lightness.

How-To

Copyright ©2004 Lori J. Davis
All rights reserved