Trista convinced me to write up a tutorial on how I did it, so here I am. Since she was the one that wanted me to write it, I will be making her one as my example blinkie for this tutorial. Please be patient with me, as this is my first tutorial. Any resemblence to another tutorial is purely coincidence.
You will need:
1. A Gradient Palatte. I have included several for you here:
2. The Template for the Blinkie:
3. Soft Sugar Fade font. You can download that HERE.
This Blinkie is made using Psp 7. But I am sure it will work in any version. You will need an animation program if you are not using PSP.
We will be making this:
Open the template in your paint program. Press Ctrl D to duplicate image. Close the original template to save for future use. Now on the duplicate image use the magic wand tool, select the middle of the graphic and flood fill it with the following:
Forground color = #800080 (After putting in color, choose the gradient option.)
Background color = #500750
After your middle is colored, take the first and darkest color of the gradient you are using and fill the 8th and 9th square on both rows top and bottom.
Your Image should now look like this:
Now add a new rastor layer. Remame the layer Text. Choose the text tool. Turn off your forground, and make the background color #D7AFD7. Click on the middle of your graphic with your text tool and set your settings like the below image:
Type in the name or text you wish. You do not have to use the font I did, but for tutorial purposes this is the one I am using. Select okay and place your text as you wish. Since I will be using the heart shape also, I am going to place the text in the center of the graphic. Your blinkie should now look like this:
Now choose your shapes tool. Using the same color you used for the text as your foreground, turn off your background. Settings are as follows:
Make a small heart for each side of the name. Go to Layer/Convert to raster layer. Lower the opacity of the layer to match the fade in the name. An opacity of 57 works for this blinkie.
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CTRL D again and merge layers. Your graphic should look like the below image:
Save as B1.psp and close. On the original graphic you can merge as well. Using your magic wand tool select the 4 squares in front of the ones already colored and fill them with the first and darkest color. Next, using your magic wand tool again, click on the squares that had been colored for the first frame. Flood fill them with the second color on your gradient. Your image should look like this:
CTRL D again and save the duplicate image as B2.psp. The next frames are done the exact same way, adding a new gradient each time until all 5 colors have been used. Its a bit repetitive, but its not that bad. Save each frame as B3, B4, B5 ...etc. Remember to copy the image first before saving. The next frames should look like this:
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As you see, after all 5 colors have been used, you just keep moving the colors until all have dissappeared/faded.
Now we are ready to move to the animation program. As I am assuming you know how to run the program, I am just going to speed through the animation process.
1.Open the animation wizard.
2.Choose Same size as the first image frame. Next.
3.Choose Transparent. Next.
4.Choose Upper Left corner AND With the canvas color. Next.
5.Choose Yes, repeat animation indefinetly. Set the speed to 10. Next.
6.Add your images starting with B1 and ending with B12. Next. Finish.
All done. Now all you have left to do is save. I always usually check the animation before saving, but that is up to you. I find that in the save menu under the customize button, that the following settings work best:
1.256 colors
2.Optomize Octree
3.Nearest color.
Well. . .that is all there is to it. Have fun!
Copyright Mumbo Jumbo:
This tutorial and all the graphics used are by April Ann. Feel free do what you will with this tutorial. I have no problem with it being sent through groups or what not. Please do not copy this tutorial and say it is your own, and remember to link back to me. The graphic you make using this tutorial is yours to do with as you please. :)