Custom Scallop Shapes



We are going to make scalloped shapes.
Let me warn you it's painstaking to make them in PSP, so be prepared to spend some real time on creating this type of shape.

Supplies Needed:

Paint Shop Pro

For my example I used a circle shape.

Open a new transparent image 700 x 700.
Set background color to black, foreground to null.

Draw out a vector circle approx. 500 x 500.
Objects, Align, Center in Canvas.

Add new vector layer.
Draw out an ellipse shape approx 492 x 224.
If you place the mouse over the center, you can then move the ellipse to the top of the other circle.
See image below.

Now click on the Pen Tool. Your small ellipse should now have 4 nodes and an outline showing.
If not just click on the edge to select it.

Place your mouse somewhere near it, and right click.

From the menu, Edit, Select All.
Right click again, Edit, Copy.

Move the mouse to a blank spot somewhere and right click Edit, Paste.

Now you have your second ellipse.

Place your mouse on the handle that is there, and rotate it slightly. Align next to the first ellipse.
See figures below.

Continue this until you have your scallops around your entire circle.

Now this is where it get a little tricky.

Add a new vector layer. Create a new vector circle that is smaller than the first one. Objects, align, center in canvas.
It needs to also be less than the other side of your scallop layer.
See image below.

Now click the pen tool. The small circle should now be selected with nodes.

Right click, Edit, Reverse Path.
Right click, Edit, Select All.
Right click, Edit, Copy.

Now make sure your layer with the first circle is highlighted in the layer palette.
Use the pen tool to make sure it's selected and the nodes are showing.

Right click, Edit, Paste.

It may not look like it but you just cut a "hole" out of the first circle with the second circle.

Place your cursor over the middle to move the small circle and match it up with the outline.
You should be able to see the outlines once you start moving your shape.

Now X out the layer with the small circle.

In the layer palette, you need to click the plus sign on the left on the scallop layer and the circle with the hole layer. You will see it drops down and says ellipse and ellipse.
See image below.

While holding the shift key, click on both those words "ellipse" so they are both bold.

Right click, and choose Group from the menu.

Now they should be together as one layer named Ellipse.
Right click and choose Rename.
Name your shape.

File, export, custom shape. Type in the same name of the shape and click OK.

And that's it. Now when you click on the custom shape tool, your new shape should be there!

Note* This can be applied to any shape, however just remember if you want your shape to be "cut out" you need to make sure you start out with a larger middle then add the smaller one later.
PSP will not "cut" out half of any object. Believe I've tried LOL
So as long as you make sure your hole is under the scalloped part it should work fine.
Feel free to email me with any questions!



This tutorial was written by me on April 24, 2007. It's concept is copyrighted to me. You may link to and/or print this out for your personal use. Please do copy it in whole or in part to place online, pass it out, rewrite it, script it, or claim it as your own without my EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT.
Tutorial © KCS Designs


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