CT Tutorial for Cici and School Rules

**This tutorial was written using Photoshop CC. I believe the instructions should work with various other versions, but they are not tested on any other version.  This tutorial is my own creation.  Any similarity to any other tutorial is not done purposely or knowingly (aside from the fact that the process is pretty similar in most tutorials).  If you do not know how to do some of the things I mention here (like mirroring an image, adding a drop shadow, resizing elements, etc.), check out my “Tips and Tricks” tutorial. **

Supplies:

PTU Poser – Cici by Designs By Norella.  You can purchase the tube at the Designs by Norella store

PTU Kit - “School Rules” by Crystal Creations.  Available at Whisprd Designz, Pimp My Tags w/ Scraps, Twilight Scraps, and D’zines from the Heart.

FTU Mask - "Mask 05 - Dreamscape" by Aeval Amore.  Available for download on my blog, Aeval's Art.

Abbreviations:

DS – Drop Shadow

Settings I use:

DS Settings - Blend Mode set to Multiply, Opacity set to 75%, Angle set to 120 degrees, Distance 5, Spread 0, Size 5

Ready…..Set….Tag!

Open Paper 9 in a new canvas.  Double click on the layer to unlock it.

Add the Mask to the canvas and resize if needed so it is the same size as the paper.  Then drag the mask layer below the paper layer.

With the mask layer selected, select all (Ctrl + A) and copy the entire canvas (Ctrl + C).  You will see dashed lines surround the canvas. 

Click on the paper layer to activate it, then turn on quick mask (Press the Q key on your keyboard).  The dashed lines will disappear and that is ok.  Next Paste onto the paper (Ctrl + V) and turn your Quick Mask off (Q again). 

You will now see a dotted outline of the mask on your paper.  Press the button on the bottom of layers side bar that is a rectangle with a circle cut out of it.  The mask will now show. 

Right click on the paper layer and select Convert to Smart Image.  This releases just the mask.  The background layer of the mask will become invisible on its own.

Open a new canvas (Ctrl +N) 700 x 700, transparent background.  This will be referred to as the working canvas in my directions when switching between canvases.

Add the paper/mask combination from above to the working canvas.  Resize to fit the canvas.

Add Element 18 to the canvas and resize to fit the width of the canvas.  Position in center and add DS.

Add Paper 12 to the canvas.  Resize to fit over the opening in the frame in the element above.  Move the paper layer below the frame.  Use the eraser tool to erase any overhang of the paper showing outside of the frame.

Add Element 05 to the canvas.  Resize to fit in the right side of the frame and position on the right side of the tag.  Add DS.  If there is overhang of the element off the paper you can right click on the element layer and select “Create clipping mask” this will hide any of the element outside of the shape of the paper.

Open the poser in another canvas.  Use the marquee tool and draw a rectangle around the upper portion of the poser.  Copy (Ctrl + C) the poser upper half and switch back to the working canvas.  Paste (Ctrl + V) the poser onto the canvas.  Resize to fit in the right side of frame in front of the lockers. Add DS.

Add the poser to the canvas.  Resize to fit and position to the left of the tag.  Add DS.  Select Edit>Transform>Flip Horizontal from the menu to flip her so her books are pointing toward the right side of the tag.

Voila!  The focal point of your tag is now created.

Now decorate your tag with any of the school themed elements from the kit.  Resize the elements as you add them so fit the proportions of your tag.  Experiment with rotating them and mirroring them for more variety.  In addition duplicate elements and use multiple times to fill in holes and add more pizzazz.  In this tutorial to indicate when I used more than one of the same element I will add (X#) by the name to indicate how many versions of the element I used. 

Here are all the additional elements I used from the bottom layers up.

• Element 19
• Element 26
• Element 10
• Element 6
• Element 1
• Element 9
• Element 15
• Element 34
• Element 14
• Element 3
• Element 21

Add your license and copyright info to the tag.

Add name and any other text of choice.

Save as PNG and go share with all your friends!

Thank you for trying my tut! I’d love to see how your tags turn out so if you like what you made, please post a copy here or show me on Facebook!