SUBJECT: Creating a Wave Shape
PROGRAM: PSE8 (can be adapted for PS and/or other versions of PSE)
This tutorial walks you through the steps of use the Wave Filter to create a wave shape in Photoshop Element. This shape can then be used as a clipping mask or template shape in a digital layout.
Open Photoshop Element (or Photoshop). Open a new document; File>New>Blank File (Keystroke Ctrl+N).
Enter the size of your new canvas in the dialogue box. Typically digital scrappers use the following settings to work with a 12×12 inch page.
Width: 12 inches
Height: 12 inches
Resolution: 300 pixels/inch
Color Mode: RGB Color
Background Contents: White
Select the rectangle tool from the tools palette (see large arrow below).
Click and drag on your canvas to draw a large rectangle across the page. Exact size and dimensions are not critical, but it should span the entire canvas.
Go to Filter>Distort>Wave.
A dialogue box may appear notifying you that the shape must be simplified. Click ‘OK’.
Now use the Wave dialogue box to set up the wave parameters. Use the following settings.
Number of Generators: 2
Wavelength Min: 999
Wavelength Max: 999
Amplitude Min: 70
Amplitude Max: 71
Scale: 100% (Both Horizontal and Vertical)
Type: Sine
Undefined Areas: Repeat Edge Pixels
Then click ‘OK’.
You should now have a wavy rectangle. You can further distort your rectangle. Click on the Move tool in the tools palette (Keystroke V). Hold the Control key (Ctrl) and click and drag on any of the bounding box handles (see small arrows below) to manipulate the wave. When you are satisfied with the result click on the green check mark on the lower right of the bounding box.
You can see below that my wave shape exceeds the size of my canvas. To crop the shape go to Image>Crop and then click on the green check mark to the lower right of the bounding box.
Your wave shape is complete.
Further Application
- Experiment with different size rectangles or even other shapes
- Experiment with other settings in the Wave dialogue box
- Make a ricrac shape: Start with a 1/4 inch high rectangle and use the following settings in the Wave dialogue box. Number of Generators 5, Wavelength Min 100, Wavelength Max 100, Amplitude Min 1, Amplitude Max 20, Scale 100, Type Sine
Here’s a sample of some waves put to use in a layout.
Credits: Most items from Rainy Days and Mondays, white papers from Backdrop Papers, bracket journal bit from Shabby Orchard, glitter edging on perimeter created for this page, Font: FO Howie’s Stamps Lowfat, Love Ya Like a Sister and LDJ Go All Out