Animated rain signature


	Animated Rain


	Create An Animated Rain Signature - Advanced Written For Paint Shop Pro 7 8 9 X Paint Shop Pro XI And X2 Photo + (Ultimate) Students Should Follow X’s Instructions

This tutorial demonstrates how to create an animated rain signature. To work along, you are welcome to download the Start Images Here.  Unzip the file and open your choice of Start Image onto Paint Shop Pro’s workspace.

111+ Beginner PDF Tutorials
Understanding Layers - On-line Tutorial
Understanding Blending Modes - On-line Tutorial

1/
Open your choice of Start Image onto Paint Shop Pro’s workspace. Alternatively, Crop an image of your choice into an oblong signature-shape size; then apply your Text or Picture Tubes - and Flatten the Layers.

2/
Now, from the top menu, choose Layers then choose New Raster Layer, then click OK to the subsequent dialogue box - accepting its default settings.



3/
Set the Colour/Materials Palette’s Foreground Swatch to Solid Black - the Background has no bearing on the subsequent Fill.



4/
Then from the left-side Tools Toolbar, activate the Flood Fill Tool.



And enter the following settings into the Tool Options Palette or Ribbon.

Paint Shop Pro 7

Paint Shop Pro 8 9 X XI X2 Photo +

And left-click over your signature, to fill the New Raster Layer with Solid Black.


Isolate Areas With A Selection Marquee
If you would like to add rain to specific areas of your signature, and not the whole oblong, isolate the areas with your choice of Selection Marquee now, before Duplicating your image. Selection Marquee Tutorial Here. If you do isolate areas with a Selection Marquee, remember to remove the Selection Marquee before Copying and Pasting your image-frames into Animation Shop - Ctrl then D.

5/ Duplicate The Image
Now, from the top menu, choose Window then choose Duplicate. Again, choose Window then choose Duplicate. You will now have three identical (layered) images on Paint Shop Pro’s workspace - as illustrated below.

6/
Activate the first image, then from the top menu; Paint Shop Pro 7, choose Effects then choose Noise then choose Add. Paint Shop Pro 8 9 X XI X2 +, choose Adjust then choose Add/Remove Noise then choose Add Noise.

All Versions
From the subsequent Add Noise dialogue box, ensure Monochrome is marked, then set the following attributes - and click OK.

(If you would like coloured noise, unmark Monochrome).

Paint Shop Pro 7 Only - Convert Your Coloured Noise Into Monochrome
To convert your Coloured Noise into Monochrome; from the top menu, choose Colours then choose Adjust then choose Channel Mixer. From the subsequent dialogue box, enter the following settings, then click OK.

7/ All Versions
From the top menu - Paint Shop Pro 7, choose Effects then choose Blur then choose Motion Blur. Paint Shop Pro 8 9 X XI X2 +, choose Adjust then choose Blur then choose Motion Blur.

From the subsequent Motion Blur dialogue box, enter the following settings, then click OK.

Note
Change the Angle to the direction you want your rain to be falling from; for an even rainfall, ensure Angle is constant for all three images.

8/ Change The Blending Mode
Now, change the noise-filled Layer’s Blend Mode from Normal to Screen. (Screen renders black pixels transparent).

Tip Blend Modes Explained
Experiment with different Blend Modes - and see how they change your rain’s colour.



9/
From the top menu, choose Layers then choose Merge then choose Merge All (Flatten).

Paint Shop Pro X

Paint Shop Pro 7

Your first animation frame is complete, and you are ready for the next step - remember to remove the Selection Marquee, if you have utilised one.



10/
Now, activate the second image.

Then from the top menu - Paint Shop Pro 7, choose Effects then choose Noise then choose Add. Paint Shop Pro 8 9 X XI X2 +, choose Adjust then choose Add/Remove Noise then choose Add Noise.

All Versions
From the subsequent Add Noise dialogue box, ensure Monochrome is marked, then set the following attributes then click OK.

If you would like coloured noise, unmark Monochrome.

Paint Shop Pro 7
Remember to remove the Noise’s colour using the Channel Mixer, as demonstrated back in Chapter 6.

11/ All Versions
From the top menu, Paint Shop Pro 7, choose Effects then choose Blur then choose Motion Blur. Paint Shop Pro 8 9 X XI X2 +, choose Adjust then choose Blur then choose Motion Blur.

From the subsequent Motion Blur dialogue box, enter the following settings, then click OK.

You are altering just the Strength.

Paint Shop Pro 7; increase your Strength to 40.

12/
Then change the Blend Mode from Normal to Screen.



13/
From the top menu, choose Layers then choose Merge then choose Merge All (Flatten).



Your second animation frame is complete and you are ready for the next step - remember to remove the Selection Marquee, if you have utilised one.

14/
Now, activate the third image.

Then (Paint Shop Pro 8 9 X XI X2 +) apply a Add Noise (Gaussian) setting of 100 - and Paint Shop Pro 7, apply a Noise setting of Random 80. Then (all versions), apply the Motion Blur filter - changing just the Strength to 38. Now, change the Layer’s Blend Mode from Normal to Screen, then Flatten the Layers. (Remember to remove the Selection Marquee, if you have utilised one).

Paint Shop Pro 7
Remember to remove the Noise’s colour using the Channel Mixer, as demonstrated back in Chapter 6.

15/
Congratulations, you now have three separate images, each with uniquely positioned rain, ready to Copy and Paste onto Animation Shop’s workspace.



16/ Launch Animation Shop
Now, launch Animation Shop, and return to Paint Shop Pro.

Then link Here to learn how to Copy and Paste each animation-frame (one-by-one) onto Animation Shop’s workspace - and how to animate them.

Important
Prior to Copying and Pasting your image-frames into Animation Shop; you must ensure any Layers have been Flattened.

General Saving Animations
Reduce An Animation’s Size
Optimising Animations Plus Hints And Tips
Optimise Animations To Blend With Backgrounds
General Copy And Pasting Image-frames Onto Animation Shop’s Workspace

Note
Experiment with different Display Times, (frame speeds), and discover a look you prefer - I changed my Frame Properties’ Display Time to 5, and this quickens the animation.

You can have lots of fun creating unique animated rain signatures and sharing them with friends and family.

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