2007 SLP Curriculum Guide #09, Frames - Inner Bevel
Curriculum Guide Index

EXPLORING THE INNER BEVEL

1. New Image
   • Create a new white background 600 x 600 image which is large enough to see some of the subtle effects when options are varied.
   • Promote the background to a layer and then draw a rectangular selection leaving a fairly large area at the edges of about 20 - 30 pixels or so (about 1/4 inch) and then Delete the inner part of the image leaving just a white border.
2. Open the Inner Bevel (Effects || 3D Effects || Inner Bevel)
   • Set to Default (Click on default Arrow)
   • The resulting effect is not very interesting BUT ...
   • ... take a lot of time to explore. The following are suggestions of steps to follow. Each step will take time but the end result is you will know very clearly how to effectively and creatively use the Inner Bevel for some really neat looking frames.
     1. Familiarize yourself with the basic areas (options) of Bevel (Bevel/Width), Image (Smoothness/Depth/Ambience/Shininess), and Light (Color/Angle/Intensity/Elevation) as each of these options will effect the end result in different ways.
     2. Next, Use the Presets and just explore each and every preset. Take time when clicking on a preset to note the various values for each of the options. After selecting one preset and reviewing its option values just choose another and again review its option values. Continue review all presets and their values.
     3. Then, start this step by setting the Image options values to their lowest value (Smoothness, Depth, Ambience, Shininess). Next choose a bevel starting with Bevel #1. Keeping all values at minimum including width (except those for Light) go through all 12 bevels to note what differences you find in the result. What you should find is that fundamentally there will be very little if any noticeable differences between the bevels and minimum values.
     4. Now, change the Width value to 31 and repeat going through each Bevel to note the result. What you should notice is that although the results are different the shading is quite light.
     5. Next, change the depth value to 9 or 10 and again just repeat the above two steps going through the bevels first with a width of 1, then a width of 31. However, before finishing this step, change the width to about 15 or 16 and again go through the bevels. What you should notice is that the definition of the frame results is now more enhanced due to the depth reading and the actual design of the frame is different dependent upon what width you used.
     6. Set the Bevel to #6, Width to 25 and select a Brown Color. (Hex=#8a6136, or R=138,G=97,B=54). Note how the color is reproduced on the Frame and it also gives it definition.
     7. Change only the Angle to 135. Note how the frame now has a different look.
     8. Now, first vary the Ambience for its zero setting to a minus setting (darkens result) and then to a positive setting (lightens the result). Reset Ambience to zero and various the Shininess from its zero value to about 50 and then to about 100 (Causes areas on the frame to take on shininess dependent upon the value.) Finally explore different values for Intensity and Elevation to see their effect on the frame.
     9. As a final step, use Effects || Texture Effects || Texture and select the Woodgrain Texture. Also make sure the Color option is set to White. All other values should reflect the same values as in the Bevel window.

If you have taken the time to explore each of the above steps you should now have a very good idea of how the Inner Bevel works. The main points are that by using the Inner Bevel, selecting a bevel, working with the options values one can create some very interesting frames. The manner in which you use the Inner Bevel and its options and their values can be used on any layer, picture, or mask layer. Thus, you have a very dandy skill that can be very nicely used in enhancing images and photographs.

TIP: You can save any Frame image you make to your PSP Picture Frames Folder. Just save it as a PSPFRAME file.

  

THREE MASK EXAMPLES

In Guide #07, the Wooden Frame was created from the Mask. I used the Woodgrain Texture on the mask and then used the Inner Bevel to create the Frame Look. The basic values I used were very similar to the last example in the previous section. In the Other Wooden Frame I used a Sculpture effect to create a more defined inner area around the circle and then used the texture on it and finished it with the Inner Bevel.

In Guide #08, I illustrated a mask created from using different Brush Tips. I also illustrated how this mask would look on a photograph. I also enhanced this mask and picture first by using an inner bevel on it and then a Sculpture Effect to create a gold metal frame. Next I created a selection underneath the mask/frame area and on the picture layer I used a heavy radial blur so that the part of the picture underneath the mask/frame would appear like colored marble. I also added drop shadows inside the frame to give it some depth.

There is no end to what one can do in creating masks, enhancing masks with the inner bevel, and just using your imagination on what kind of result you would like to create. Exploring, trying things out, experimenting with different values (often by varying values by small increments) one often discovers some great results.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

1. When completing a tutorial or series of tutorials, and having placed them upon your web page, post in the SLP Forum your completed work using this layout:
   • Name or Screen Name.
   • Web Site URL.
   • Version of PSP using.
   • List of Tutorials completed.
2. Post your Work:
   • List what you did, feature, options used, values.
   • Indicate steps taken and results.
   • Indicate things you found interesting, worthwhile and any other comments.
3. Comment on any particular techniques you used or discovered, any particular results you found perhaps by accident and any ideas you have for creating a particular result.
4. Post any questions and comments in the SLP Forum.