Chisel Effect Created by: Prof  

The Chisel Effect is both an interesting and in some ways not a simple effect to achieve although a very easy effect to use. Basically, the effect created is a chiseled look to a shape (text or shape) that gives it an appearance of being carved out on a background image.

Chisel Effect, Options, and Tips

– Size in pixels, and either:
– Transparent (the edges of chiseled effect are transparent allowing a lower layer to show through)
– or
– Background Color (of the chiseled out area).

Key Points in Using the Chisel Effect:

– 1. Must be used on a Layer (not the Background)
– 2. Layer can be colored or transparent
– 2. Requires a selected area (text or a shape)
– 3. Selection may be on its own area as an option
– 4. Uses a background color (don't use black)

Tip #1:

The Size of the Chisel Effect should be fairly small for the effect to appear its best. However, experimentation is always in order.

The effect also looks better on a textured background, usually grey or greyish in color.

The Effect also looks better when there are more curves in the shape (selection).

Tip #2:

A very interesting outcome is created (a picture mat) using the Chisel and Colors > Negative Image.

EXPLORATION - ILLUSTRATIONS

A. Basic Set up:

B. Illustration #1

3. Either Enter Your Name with the Text Tool using the biggest or fat font possible:
– Font = Arial Black
– Style Stroke = Null (right click on arrow and set to null)
– Style Fill = Solid and Color = Black
– Textures are both Null
– Size = 72
– Kerning = 300 to spread out the letters
– Leading = 0
– Antialias = Checked
– Floating = Checked
– Move Text to middle of Canvas using the Shift and Arrow Keys
or
Use a shape with as many curves as possible and fairly large in the Center of your canvas. Consider using the Draw Tool and Free Hand and just draw a shape with many curves.

4. Save the selection being used:
– Selections || Save to Alpha
– Click on the Delete Key to remove Color.
– Finally, use: Selections || Load from Alpha to save just the selection.

5. Set:
– Foreground = White
– Background = Light Grey (192, 192, 192)

6. Use Effects || 3D Effects || Chisel
– Size = 15 or 20
– Background Color = Checked
– Click on OK

7. Duplicate the Canvas Window || Duplicate

8. Go back to original canvas and use Control+Z until the chisel effect has been removed. Then use Chisel again but reset the size = 8 - 10. If your selection is not showing, first use Selections || Load from Alpha.

9. Just compare the two chisel effects of different sizes.

Comment: This image is nothing fancy. It only shows you the basic technique for using Chisel on a textured background.

C. Illustration #2

Use: Chisel with these values:
– Size = 20
– Transparent = Checked

Notice the difference from the first images.

D. Illustration #3

Double Click on the Selection Tool
– Left = 20
– Right = 280
– Top = 20
– Bottom = 280

Set Foreground = Black and background = White

Use Chisel with Size = 20 and Background Color

Deselect [Control+D]

Use Colors || Negative Image

Optional:
– Colors || Adjust Brightness/Contrast
– Set Brightness = 60 to 80
– Contrast = -40 to -60 (minus numbers)

You now have a Matting for inside your Frames or as a frame for your images. Just save it as a Frame file. File || Save As .pfr with name you will remember in your FRAMES directory and it will then show up as a Frame when you use Image || Picture Frames.

If you use it as a matting, first load it and then load the frame you want afterward.

Enjoy -- Prof --