| Selections Tutorial By ©Neenee 10/09/04 You may print this tutorial out for your own use, or link to it. Please do not reprint it anywhere else. Thank you.
Have you ever created an image from scratch and then forgot to save it - only to have someone ask you for a siggy and you had to start all over? This tutorial will show you how to save your layered images as selections - so that when you want to create that image again- maybe using different colors/patterns/textures, you will have the shape ready made with just a click of your mouse!
We will be using the edit mode tool to manipulate nodes in our vector shapes - PSP8 - click on Pen Tool  insert arrow into nodes, right click and choose node type - PSP7 - after vector shape is made, click on object selector  , a tool options box will come up - choose node edit - your 'color' will disappear - but will return later -insert arrow into node you are changing, right click, choose node type. When done, click quite editing and your colored shape returns.
Open a transparent image to the dimensions you plan to make your new graphic on. Once the graphic is finished - this same dimension should always be used so the selections fit properly. You cannot move your layers around once you start saving selections, so make sure your layers are exactly where you want them. We will make something simple and basic - a stocking that you can use for your Christmas projects, just to show you how this is done. This will work in both PSP8 and PSP7.
Open a new 400 x 400 transparent image. Set foreground to null, background to whatever color you want ( the color will not be saved as a selection, only the shape of the image you are creating). Select the ellipse preset shape and draw out a vertical oval shape in the center of trans. image. 
Click on your node editing tools ( pen tool 8 - object selector 7) you will have 4 nodes - one each at the top and bottom and one each on both sides. Insert node arrow into the bottom node, right click and choose symmetric. Pull node arrow out to your right, your shape will resemble a bell. Repeat this step with the top node. 
your image should now resemble this one. We need to ADD some nodes now to shape up our stocking- we need a heel and toe part. Hold the Ctrl key on your keyboard down, and with your mouse, place the node arrow where the toe should be- when you see the word ADD appear under your arrow, right click your mouse to add the new node. Repeat this step where the heel should go. 
Insert arrow into heel node, change to symmetric - pull node slightly out- and the rounded portion of arrow up - the bottom arrow turn to your left - to shape a rounded heel. 
Convert toe node to symmetric, pull node out to your left - to form the foot/toe - pull rounded part of node arrow up and to your left to form the toe area - adjust your nodes to get the exact shape you want - you can add more nodes if you think you need them to shape your stocking up. If you make a mistake you can always hit that edit button and undo a step. 
I'm not satisfied with my heel - so will try to fix that - in the meantime - if you like your stocking- convert to raster layer merge layers visible - go to selections, select all - float. Your image should be surrounded by active 'marching ants' 
Back to selections, load/save selection, save selection to disk. 
In PSP 8 this box will come up- you will need to type in a file name for this selection - and then click save. In PSP 7 - selections, save to disk - and this box will appear 
type file name and click save *note - the files will save for PSP 8 in the My PSP8 files/Selections in documents - the files will be saved in PSP7 in the main PSP7 Selections folder. Continued on Page 2 Webpage/Bg's by Neenee | 
