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Tutorial Date 3/11/02 ©QuickCreations



I've had several requests from my FraxPlorer Frame Tutorial on how I made the mask in FraxPlorer. Probably the hardest part is learning to see beyond what is in front of you. You can move, crop, duplicate and mirror an image and come up with something that is perfect for a frame, all it takes is a little imagination.

Here's what you'll need for this tutorial:
A graphics program, I'm using PSP 7 which you can download a trial version Corel Corporation .
KPT 5: Corel Corporation for purchasing information on KPT.
Corel has repackaged KPT and you can get The KPT Collection which has version 5,6 and 7 for a great price!
The zip file with my FraxPlorer Mask preset, available HERE.

There are two ways to add presets to KPT. You can extract the preset directly into the correct folder which will make a new category for the preset or you can use the import button to add it the category you prefer. This second method is how I like to add them.

1. Unzip the preset to any folder you prefer, just somewhere you won't forget :-)

2. Open a new image in PSP 500x500, transparent background and add a new Raster Layer

3. Open KPT 5 FraxPlorer, click on this button on the lower left hand side, this opens your presets:
4. Select one of the categories on the left hand side of your screen. Click on the import button and browse to the folder you have the Frax Mask_qc preset, click open and your preset is now added. Highlight the box to select it (there will be a white line around the box) and click on the arrow on the bottom right hand side of the screen to apply the preset.

5. Back in the KPT screen, click on the arrow to apply the preset and to go back to PSP.

6. So, now you have this image:
7. I want a bigger area in the center transparent so grab the mover tool and move the frax up some.
8. It's a little hard to see but there is a slight gray area in the center, take your magic wand: Set at Match Mode: RBG Value, Tolerance and Feather both at 0. Click in the center of your image. Hit your delete key (on your keyboard). Deselect (Selections, Select None)

9. Next, go to EFFECTS, REFLECTIONS EFFECTS, ROTATING MIRROR. All settings at 0. Right click on this layer in your layer palette and duplicate the layer, then IMAGE, FLIP.

10. Now we want to save it as a mask so, LAYERS, MERGE, MERGE VISIBLE. Then go to, MASKS, NEW, FROM IMAGE:
11. Now save it, MASKS, SAVE TO DISK, name it and place it in the mask folder. You can delete this image now that it is saved as a mask. That's all there is to it. A unique mask made in FraxPlorer. To find out how I used the mask in a frame please visit my FraxPlorer Frame Tutorial
Remember, this preset is just an example of how to make a mask, you can use any preset to make a mask. Have fun :)