DESCRIPTION: Breaks can be added to tasks where PhotoImpact does not record the Properties settings. Learn to use the Edit menu and Break command in the Quick Command Panel to create a simple 3D frame.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preparation

Open your photo or object image. (If using an object image, deselect - Object / Deselect All Objects).
Duplicate the image (Ctrl D) so you are not working on the original. Close the original.
For the recording use a smaller image, say 400 pixels max. You can always play the task on a larger image later.
First record all your work. (Don't worry if you don't see all the steps in the Quick Command Panel). Then add the breaks where needed.
In your Quick Command Panel, click on the Create a new task button (with the + sign).
Name your task 3Dframe or one you will recognise when choosing from the list later.
Add a comment. I typed in "This task creates a 3D frame via the edit / trace option."

2. Recording:

Click the Record button to record the following:
Format / Expand Canvas with your own settings.
Magic Wand - click on the expanded canvas to select.
Edit / Trace / Selection Marquee. Click OK to accept the defaults.
Change Horizontal Deform to 3D in the dropdown list on the Attribute Bar.
Click on the Material icon and select a preset if you're not happy with the one provided.
Format / Shadow: choose the third icon from the right; type 97 in the Shadow size box to get an internal shadow. If you wish, change the colour from black. Click OK.
Click the Stop button.

3. Adding the Breaks:

In the Quick Command Panel, click on the “Modify the selected task” button (the one with the pad and pencil) to edit.
Select Expand Canvas in the right hand list.
Click Break to add a break after this task.
Under Item information / Alias it says “Break”. Type in "Magic Wand" after it. (I like to do this so I know what's coming up next when playing the task. If you share your task, others might like this too.)
Click on Properties.

In the Break dialogue box that comes up, highlight “Break in a task.” only and delete. (This keeps the Play / Stop instructions available).
Type in the following: “Use Magic Wand to select the expanded canvas.”
Click OK and OK again.
Click the Modify button again to continue editing the task.
Select Selection Marquee…(Edit/Trace) in the list.
Click Break to add a break after this task.
Under Item information / Alias it says “Break”. Type in "to 3D" after it.
Click on Properties.
Highlight “Break in a task.” only and delete.
Type in the following: “Change Horizontal Deform in the Attribute Bar to 3D Round and use the Material icon to add a preset.”
Click OK and OK again.

Your final Panel list will have these included:

4. Testing:

Open a new image.
Click the Play button to test.
The Break command dialogues that you have set up will come onscreen. Follow the instructions and don't forget to click Play to continue.
Change the settings in any of the dialogue boxes to suit yourself.

5. Renaming Tasks:

I named the above task “hil-frameto3D”. Very cumbersome. But I was new to the game and it started out as a test :).
To rename a task, click the Task menu commands button and select Task Manager. Find your task. Click Rename. I changed mine to hil-3Dframe. I include my abbreviated name so I know which tasks are mine. Still in Task Manager, add what your task does to the Comment box. I typed in: This task creates a 3D frame via the edit / trace option.

6. Fun Tips:

* Click on each part of a task separately to edit that part by changing the settings in the dialogue box that comes up.
* After finishing a task, click Play again. In the case of the above task, another frame will be made around the original:

Hillie © 2005