Software:  PhotoImpact 10,11,12,X3 

Title:   Signature with Animated Butterfly *

Author: Maureen Eves-Lavis  

Level:   Beginner/Intermediate

Tools:   Text, Stamp tool, Presets/Fills

Materials:   None

MODES and WORKSPACES

Versions 12 and X3 has the ability for customised workspace modes, choose your own personal settings or Full Edit, providing you have all tools available to you for this tutorial.

Version 11 has five modes.  You will see them listed in the My Workshop Menu.  For the purpose of this tutorial, ensure you are working in "Advanced Mode" in order for all tools to be available to you.

Version 10 has two work modes, Basic and Standard. Basic Mode features a simplified workspace with larger buttons and the most common functions, whereas,the Standard Mode displays all of the functions.  We will be using the Standard Mode in this tutorial.If you see Standard Mode faded out as shown, then this is the mode you are using.  If you change from standard to basic you will lose any presets you may have saved.

STEP 1

Open a canvas 500 x 200 with a transparent background.

Choose a font that you like.  In the Tool Settings box, change the Character Spacing to 4 and type in your name on the canvas with a size of 60. The colour at this stage does not matter as you will be choosing a colour or fill in the next step.

STEP 2

Now that you have your name, choose a colour from the Easy Palette -  Text/Path Effects/Material Attribute.  I chose a multi-colour for this one.  Save as a .ufo

STEP 2

Duplicate your text.  Next go to Object, Select all objects, Merge as a Single Object. Save as a .ufo

STEP 3

Open your Easy Palette, Image Enhancements, Stamp, butterfly - just click one you like onto your canvas.

This may require resizing to suit the need of your text/name.

You can also lighten/darken or change colour by going to Adjust, Colour Adjustment.  Place the butterfly at the beginning of your name.  Save as a .ufo 

In this signature I used Amaze text, white with a border of 1.  I then duplicated the text and moved slightly to the right.  I changed the second text to 3D and added a colour/texture Magic Ruffle from the Easy Palette.

It's fun to experiment with text and adding your own colours and textures, it's all up to your imagination.

The butterfly is from the Stamp Tool selection.  I changed the colour by applying Adjust, Colour Replacement,   Moving the Hue and Saturation sliders until you achieve your desired colour

STEP 4

For version 10, click on Switch on top right corner and open Gif Animator. For version 11 and 12 click on Window, Switch, Gif Animator.  Gif Animator is not included with PhotoImpact X3 so you will have to open your 'stand-alone' version of Gif Animator.  

STEP 5

Choose " Open Existing File" and locate where you have saved your name .ufo.  This will open as a single frame in Gif Animator.  However, in the Show All Objects panel to the right there will be two objects showing.  This is correct and to be left as is.        

STEP 6

Now that you have your signature and butterfly frame, you need to duplicate it.

Here you see you have two identical frames

 

 

STEP 7

Selecting Frame 2 and using the Pick Tool, move the butterfly up and along slightly over the first letter.

Duplicate the frame again and once again move the butterfly along.  Continue to do this until the butterfly reaches the end.

You should have approximately 7 frames. Of course this depends on the length of your name, but bear in mind, the more frames the larger the file.

STEP 8

To turn and reverse the butterfly, firstly add a blank frame.  Select the butterfly and name by holding down the shift key whilst clicking on both.  Go to Edit, Copy and paste into the blank canvas.  You can now move the butterfly without it interferring with the previous frames. Which means you can twist the butterfly around in the other direction.

 

 

STEP 9

Repeat steps 6 and 7 until the butterfly has returned to the first letter of your name.

There'll be approximately 13 frames when complete

Test out the animation by clicking the Play Animation button.  It's too fast, isn't it?

STEP 10

To adjust the speed of the frames highlight all frames.  To do this hold shift key and click all frames along the row. Now, right click and choose Frame Properties in Delay insert 30, Removal method Smart and Frame title as default.  Click OK. 

Now your animated butterfly will flow smoother across the name.

STEP 11

The canvas will be a little too large.  Using the Selection Tool, draw a rectangle around your image.  Make sure you leave enough room for the height the butterfly reaches and also the returns at each end.  When happy with the selection go to Edit, Crop Canvas.  This will crop the canvas throughtout the animation so you only need to choose Frame 1.

STEP 12

The making of your signature with butterfly animation is almost complete.  To save, choose File, Optimisation Wizard, put a tick in the Optimise using a preset and choose LineArt 128 then click Finish.  The Optimisation Result will enable you to preview your animation then click the play icon.  If your happy with the result, click on Save As and choose a folder where your animation will save as a GIF file.

Remember to experiment with text, colours and textures and a different object to animate, above all I hope you've had fun learning this tutorial.

* The first part of this tutorial was originally written by Ann Storey of Anne's Tutorials.  With her permission I revamped it to make the butterfly return and updated for PhotoImpact versions 10-X3

Site created and maintained by Maureen Eves-Lavis

Creative-Designs

Terms of use for this tutorial are simple....What you create using this tutorial is yours to do with as you please. A link back to this tut is appreciated but is not a requirement. The tutorial itself along with the images herein are copyrighted to me and all rights are reserved.

This document may not be translated, duplicated, redistributed or otherwise appropriated without permission.

COPYRIGHT: Maureen ©Creative-Designs - Terms - 2005 - 2008 Australia