About Richard Moose Expertise I can answer any question about using Paint Shop Pro including, but not limited to, how to make fancy lettering, how to use layers, how to use gradients and textures, how to make 3D effects, how to make animated gifs, how and when to use vector graphics, how to choose the best format for your graphics, how to understand all the options and tools, how to retouch photographs, how to find and use filters, how to correctly understand resolution, dpi, and display size. I can answer all questions about graphics for different applications such as logos, magazines, the web, newspapers, flyers, brochures, and I have extensive knowledge of high resolution 3D graphics for posters and other types of promotional materials. I`ve used Paint Shop Pro to create video and film titles and credits as well as using it for "post production" fine tuning of graphics made with other applications like Bryce, Poser, and Maya.
Experience I've been using Paint Shop Pro for ten years, starting with version 2.0 and continuing through all releases up to the most current release. I've used it to create graphics for many personal and commercial websites as well as for print publications and film and video titles. I've been helping people use Paint Shop Pro and answering questions about it for over 8 years in my capacity as a Community Leader at a well known web building site and as an expert at question and answer sites on the web. I love helping people use this excellent program!
Expert: Richard Moose Date: 7/13/2005 Subject: How to change text in an existing photo
Question Hi Richard
Hope you can help me. I am new to graphics software and want to edit a graphic using psp 9.
The graphic is a website header that I want to modify. I want to be able to change the text without touching the graphic below it, but I don't know enough about 'layers'. Can you help? Is there a fairly simple way to do this?
Thanx
Answer Hello Carolyn,
If the graphic is from a website, then it must be in the jpg or gif format and neither of these formats support layers, so the graphic as it is now is one layer. That doesn't mean you can't use layers to work on it, it just means it doesn't have any layers now.
If the image you want to preserve is "under" the letters, then there won't be any way to edit it and have the result look exactly like it does now but with different text. However, it *might* be possible to do some tricks that will come pretty close. It all depends on the exact nature of the images themselves.
My first approach would be to use the selection tool to select the area of the existing text and then flood fill it with a solid color that is as close as possible to the main color of the background image. You can feather the selection to make it less obtrusive. Then you can put your text into the filled area so it looks like it is in a cartouch.
If the background image is a pattern, then you might be able to grab a piece of it and use that piece a "texture" when you flood fill the selected area and that would disguise your rework as much as possible.
If you can send the graphic to me or point me to the url where it is, I can look at it and come up with the best plan of attack specific to this project.
You can email me at expert at happydog dot net
I hope this helps! Please feel free to ask followup questions as needed!
