How to Do Everything With Your Scanner- P54 doc

FIGURE 14-8 A sampling of hat and body props included with PhotoSuite How to Add Props to a Photo A prop is an image that you import into a photo from a database included with the image-editing software or from another source. Figure 14-9 shows a portion of the menu of props you’ll find on the PhotoSuite content CD. In PhotoSuite, props are organized by category. Figure 14-10 shows a relatively uninteresting photograph of two subjects. Figure 14-11 shows portions of the same in a picture that uses the PhotoSuite “body switch” props imported onto a faux background. The same source photo is shown again in Figure 14-12 with a few randomly imported props from the PhotoSuite database. If you’re working with a program that doesn’t come with a database of props, such as PhotoDeluxe, you can create your own using the cutting tools in your image- editing program. These tools are discussed in Chapter 10. Essentially, creating your own database of props involves scanning images and cutting out the portions you want to save and use as props. CHAPTER 14: Basic Scanning Projects for Home Hobbyists 249 14 Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. FIGURE 14-9 PhotoSuite comes with an extensive props database. Adding Props Using PhotoSuite To add props to your photo, you need to locate the props database in your image- editing program, and follow the directions for importing the props. For example, if you’re working in PhotoSuite, you’ll follow these steps: 1. Click the Compose button on the Navigation bar, and then the Add Props button on the Activity panel that appears. 2. Choose a props category from the drop-down menu. 3. Drag the desired prop to the work area, and adjust the size and position of the prop by dragging the size handles on the bounding box. 250 How to Do Everything with Your Scanner Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. FIGURE 14-10 A relatively uninteresting photo FIGURE 14-11 Portions of the source photo used with the PhotoSuite “body switch” props on a faux background CHAPTER 14: Basic Scanning Projects for Home Hobbyists 251 14 Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. FIGURE 14-12 The same photo enhanced with some randomly selected props After clicking the Compose button, you will not see the Add Props button unless you have an image open on your screen. Creating Your Own Props Using Other Programs If you’re working with a program that doesn’t have a database of props, you can create your own by cutting and cropping images from existing photos. Chapter 10 tells you how to find and use the tools you need to do this in your image-editing program. Here are a few tips for creating a database of fun props: ■ Don’t limit yourself to photos you’ve taken yourself. Scour magazines for pictures of good props to print. Magazine printed media is of a sufficient quality to achieve good results for this purpose. ■ Glossy color catalogues from large department stores and retail outlets are also of good quality. ■ After you’ve scanned and cropped a prop, check to see if your editing program allows you to save the cropped image to your database. This way, you won’t 252 How to Do Everything with Your Scanner Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. have to take the time to apply the cutting tool the next time your want to use it in a picture. ■ Take advantage of edge-softening and blur tools to blend your prop more effectively into the picture. ■ Some programs, such as PhotoSuite, allow you to create a shadow for the imported image. This is called a drop shadow, and adds authenticity. Check to see if this feature is available in your image-editing program. Also see the “Add a Drop Shadow” section later in this chapter. Add a Faux Background to Your Photo PhotoSuite comes with dozens of wonderful backgrounds you can use to enhance the subject of your photo. A couple of them appear in Figures 14-13 and 14-14. If you’re using a program that does not come with backgrounds, you can easily create your own. FIGURE 14-13 A scenic faux background included with PhotoSuite Photo subjects CHAPTER 14: Basic Scanning Projects for Home Hobbyists 253 14 Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. . won’t 252 How to Do Everything with Your Scanner Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. have to take the time to apply the cutting tool the next time your want to. www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. FIGURE 14-9 PhotoSuite comes with an extensive props database. Adding Props Using PhotoSuite To add props to your photo, you need to locate the props database in your. photos. Chapter 10 tells you how to find and use the tools you need to do this in your image-editing program. Here are a few tips for creating a database of fun props: ■ Don’t limit yourself to