Cutout text is a popular effect that will make your text or object appear as if it were carved into a texture. We'll use selections with a couple of built in effects to create it in Paint Shop Pro 7.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 5 minutes
Here's How:
- Create a new document and fill the background with a texture.
- Select the text tool. Click in the document where you want your text to start and the Text Entry dialog will appear.
- Click on the "Standard text" button. Adjust the font, size, and orientation as desired.
- In the "Create as" section make sure Floating and Antialias are selected. Click OK to add the text.
- Go to selections > Save to Alpha Channel then click OK. Type a name for the channel or accept the suggested name of Selection #1.
- Go to Selections > Promote to Layer. You should have black text on your textured background. Now for the effects...
- Go to Effects > 3D Effects > Cutout.
- Use these settings as a starting point: Shadow color: black, Offset: V=2/H=2, Opacity: 50, Blur: 3, Fill with interior color: UNchecked
- Use the Auto Proof button to preview the effect and adjust if necessary. When satisfied, click OK to apply the effect.
- Go to Selections > Load from Alpha channel. Select the alpha channel you saved previously and click OK.
- Optional: You may want to go to Selections > Hide Marquee before the next step. It will make it easier to preview the effect.
- Go to Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow.
- Use these settings as a starting point: Offset: V=1/H=1, Opacity: 80, Blur: 2, Color: White
- Use the Auto Proof button to preview the effect and adjust if necessary. When satisfied, click OK to apply the effect.
- Go to Selections > Select None and you're done!
Tips:
- Are you wondering why I did not make the text as a selection? I don't know why, but when I do it that way, the text does not appear as smooth.
- This effect looks best on a subtle textured background.
- Your cutout effect will end up on its own layer, so you can reposition it over the background.
- Create your name with this effect and save only the effect layer with no background. When you need an instant watermark, just copy and paste as a new layer into any image.
