Step 1. Prepare
by opening a new canvas, size 400 x 400, white.
Shift-B to open the Background Designer. Apply the settings shown, or whatever you like. Then click OK.
From here, you need to decide how you want
to proceed: Download a gradient or create your own.
Select the fill tool on the tool bar, linear gradient. It is by default on the lower left of the tool bar.
Step 2.Download and install the gradient. Downloading will get you a list of eight presets that I use a lot for merging, plus a file describing how to use them. Load one according to the html file, then click here.
Select Multiple-Color from the fill method on the attributes toolbar. Left click on the fill colors to bring up the palette ramp, then click on ramp 014. We're going to modify it into a blue/gold ramp. Note: Follow the numbers as I describe how to modify the ramp. You can only make changes in the large palette ramp window. If you chose to download the gradients, load one according to the html file, then click here.
Rotate the ramp clockwise using the Ring control (1) until the number changes from 78 to 260.
R/C on the single dark gold square (2) and select delete. Now R/C on the boxes with an "X" and select delete. R/C on the white box at 9 o'clock on the ramp editor, and select change color. Enter a blue color of your choice ( I entered R 0, G 34, B 255 ) and click on OK. Repeat on every white square, then R/C on each gold square change colors to a gold color of your choice (mine were R 247, G 187 B 91). Click "add" to save the ramp to easy palette, and click on OK.
The ramp should look like 119.
Step 7. Once
you have palette ramp selected,
pick select Merge Difference on attributes toolbar. Now we can get down to what
we're here for. Click in the middle of the graphic (200, 200) and hold the mouse
button down while dragging to the upper left corner. Release the button.
Step 8. Click in the middle of the graphic (200, 200) and hold the mouse button down while dragging to the upper right corner. Release the mouse button.
Step 9. Click
in the middle of the graphic (200, 200) and hold the mouse button down while
dragging to the lower right corner. Release the mouse button.
Step 10. Click in the middle of the graphic (200, 200) and hold the mouse button down while dragging to the lower left corner. Release the mouse button.
Step 11. Add something dramatic by clicking on the Easy Palette and go to Lighting, Lightning 3. I just double clicked, but you may want to R/C and change properties. This tut doesn't cover that, but you can make dramatic changes with just a few clicks.
Step 12. Now you may wish to add a bubble (or more) to bring out the colors. Click on Easy Palette, Particle and R/C on Bubble 6, modify properties. I clicked on density 5, size 50, and kept all other settings default. You may spread them out in any general pattern by clicking on a bubble in the small screen. Or find out more about particles
Step 13. When you like the pattern, select the center bubble and change the size back to 73. Particles are NOT objects, so they attach to the base image immediately. So, check your work by clicking on Preview. This brings up full size image, and you may cancel, un/redo, or continue to make changes by clicking on the Continue button. You can also add the particle parameters to easy palette by clicking on Add.
When you are happy, click on OK. You are essentially done here, scroll to the bottom to see the large example.
From here on, be creative, you may change a color ramp, add text, add a path, or make a selection and change the colors there. The best I can tell you is let your imagination be your guide. I have found that some of the most fantastic things I've made are a result of persistence and multiple attempts. That's what I love about the back arrow.
