Working with Layers in PSP

Knowing how to work with layers is essential to know how to use PSP (or
any program for that matter). Each element of your siggy will be on
it's own seperate layer. This is how you move things around and
position them just right.

What you will need for this tutorial

PSP (any version)

A template (I am using Template #2 by Missy, you can download it on her site here: http://divineintentionz.blogspot.com/?zx=adf28a45ab6b3e3c)

A scrap kit of your choice ( I'm using Misfits Attitude by Rieka Rafeta, you can download here: http://creativemisfitscreations.blogspot.com/search/label/Scrap Kits - Attitude)

A tube of your choice ( I am using the artwork of Ismael Rac. You can purchase his work at http://store.xeracx.net/)

Let's begin:

You should have this as your screen:



Look to the right bottom of your screen and you will see your Layers palette.



We are going to click on the Layer labeled "By Missy" and delete it.



Now, I start at the bottom and work my way up. Select the layer that is labeled "Large Circle"
Go to Selections>Select All>Float>Defloat
Now choose a paper and paste as a new layer over the "Large Circle" layer. I used paper 7.



Now
go to Selections>Invert and hit delete and then Selections>Select
None. Click on your "Large Circle" layer and delete it. Now you
should have this.



Repeat this process for the layers labeled "Small Circle" and "Rectangle". I used papers 10 and 8. Now you should have this:


Next
go to your tube and copy the layer you want to use. Go back to your
template and click on your rectangle layer. Now paste your tube as a
new layer and resize to your liking. (Note that the copyright info is
on the preview to maintain copyright compliance and to discourage
stealing of the artwork...you' don't have to put your copyright there.)



Now we are going to add some elements, these too will be on their own layers.
Choose
any elements to you liking, adding them one at a time by clicking on
your siggy and choosing "Paste as a New Layer". You can move your
elements up or down in the layers palette by clicking on that layer and
dragging it up or down in the palette.

Once you have your elements arranged you will have something like this:



Now it's time to add your name. Click on your topmost layer and then click on the text tool:



Click
on your siggy and add your text. You can change the font, color and
size by highlighting the text and using your menus for the text and your
color palette. Once you have your text how you want it, click ok.

To add a white outline to your text: Convert your text to a raster layer then follow these steps:
Click
Selections>Select All>Float>Defloat>New Raster
Layer>Selections>Modify>Expand (expand by 3 or 4). Choose
white as your color and flood fill the selected area. You can now
deselect and move your white layer under your text and add a drop
shadow.

Now you can add your copyright and add a drop shadow on all your layers.
You will have something like this: