Cutout & .png

Well, let's talk a little about PNG format... When we talk about transparencies, we think about .gif. When we want to save a work without a background (to use it for different graphics later), we do it in PSP or PSD format (for Paint Shop Pro or Photoshop); sometimes, really heavy files, and without instant preview (you have to open the program)...

What about a format which allows you to keep a transparency, a "layer" to be used later too without any kind of conversion or color increasement, compatible for all graphics programs (even for web, in higher browsers), and using a very little size???

I love cutout effect. It's my favorite. So, I always was looking for a technique which allows to have standard settings (without changing them when I use a different background), and the posibility to keep some "cutout collection" in very little files with instant preview, using any background (cutout works are impossible to save as .gif without a background color...), and having the liberty to copy them and insert as new layers, using the pattern, color, or background I want and change them a lot of times, obtaining the cutout effect immediately. Too much? Yesssssss!!!!!!! But I found the answer trying with a lot of settings, and using .png format to save my cutouts. Let's see the process step by step.

1-How to do a cutout

Yes, we all know that... but I want to tell you some tips and settings to avoid to change the settings to adapt the effect to different backgrounds. It looks great using plain colors; you don't need to have a pattern. I'll use PSP to show you; but I'll tell too how to save a .png in Photoshop.

  • Open a new image, transparent. Use the size you want; not very small, so you will can adjust the size of your text or dingbat and see it well.
  • Fill it with your pattern, or plain color. Try to use not very dark colors, the cutout effect works better over light ones.
  • Add two more layers, one called "cutout", and the other, "shadow". The "shadow" layer must be at the top.
  • Choose your text or dingbat (I'll use a little cat now!), and use these settings:
Text settings
  • Make active the "cutout" layer in your layer palette. You must have something like this:
Layer palette
  • Go to Effects/3D Effects/Cutout, and apply these settings (the color of the shadow is black):
Cutout settings
  • Don't deselect, and change the active layer to "shadow". Go to Effects/3D Effects/Drop shadow, and, again... use my settings!
Drop shadow setings
  • You can deselect now. Turn off your "background" layer, and go to Layers/Merge/Merge visible.

Sample

Cutout done! I've tried these settings in all kind of backgrounds, and they works; so you can have them as a standard . Of course, choose your own preferencies, modifying the offset and the blur of the cutout and the shadow. I don't recommend to change the opacity. Sometimes, people wants a shadow with a color a little lighten than the original, that's OK! (I prefer white, but it's my taste!!!!)

If you want to give color to your cutout, add a new layer at the top, and fill it with you chosen color.

Follow me, and we'll se how to save your "cutout art gallery" in .png!!!

 

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