You can use grayscale masks in conjunction with PhotoImpacts's Mask Library to create interesting edge effects. This site and many others offer free grayscale masks you can download for this purpose. These instructions should work in PhotoImpact version 5 and higher.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 5 minutes
Here's How:
- Open the image you would like to add to your Masks Library.
- It must be a grayscale image. If it is not, convert it by going to the Format > Data Type > Grayscale.
- Go to Selection > Import Selection.
- The grayscale image should appear in the list of open images. Select it and click OK. A selection marquee appears in your image.
- Before we can add the mask to the Mask Library, you must make sure the library is not read only. Open the easy palette, right click on the Mask Library title, and uncheck read-only if it is checked.
- Go to Selection > Copy Selection to Object Library.
- Make sure the library is set to the Mask Library and click OK to add it to the easy palette.
- Right click on the new mask thumbnail and make sure store selection, fit selection, and drag & drop are checked.
- Now your maks can be applied to any image just by double clicking it in the EasyPalette.
