by Gene Poschman

Created on: July 10, 2009   Last Updated: July 22, 2009

Paint Shop Pro (PSP) has always been an excellent inexpensive alternative to some pretty expensive graphics software packages. Don't let the fact that it is inexpensive deter you from trying it; it is a very powerful graphics tool that is easy to learn. I recommend that as a beginner you pick a specific element in graphics you want to do and start there. As you progress you'll discover working with specific features one at a time is the best way to become familiar with the entire software package.

This tutorial will cover creating a line drawing from an image using vector graphics. It is the entrance to learning about how to do caricatures, cartooning, and creating abstracts. If you are like me and you have no real drawing talent it is a way to create drawings that have a professional look that you can put up onto the web.

I currently use Paint Shop Pro 8.1. There is a newer version available. The menus and tool bars I reference are pretty much the same in version 7 through the latest version and this tutorial should work with any of those versions. Since I do not have benefit of images to reference I need to set some assumptions and ground rules for this tutorial to be of benefit.

To benefit from this tutorial, you must be PC literate, familiar with windows and have a working version of Paint Shop Pro 7, 8, or 9. There are a number of tools like pens and tablets that can be used with PSP, but in this tutorial I am using a two-button mouse with a scroll wheel.

I have set up the PSP workspace as follows. Across the top is the "Menu" bar. Below that is the "Standard" toolbar. I have the "Tools Options" palette next. I put the "Tools" toolbar down the left side of the workspace, and I put three palettes down the right side of the workspace. The palettes are "Materials", "Preview", and "Layer". This is very close to the default setup. For this tutorial you should use the same set up, you may wish to change it for yourself later. If you are familiar with the toolbars and pallets I have named then you may place them where you like.

I recommend you print the tutorial when using it. Switching windows back and forth to reference the PSP workspace and the tutorial as you move through the subject matter can be irritating.

To begin, I pick a photograph or image I want to develop the line drawing from. I open it up in PSP. When working with images I do not own, I make sure I do not violate any copyrights.

Once I have the image in PSP I do a couple of things:

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next Page >>