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Hey everyone! I know some of you have Photoshop and the GIMP and do not know how to use them or are afraid to use them so you stick to Paint (im not putting down Paint!) So from time to time I will make tutorials ^_^. I will add screen shots later.

If anyone wants to add a tutorial for Paint or GIMP please feel free!
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Photoshop tutorial for CUT, PASTE, and LAYERS:

Your TOP BAR should have these links(if your using Photoshop CS4):
FILE, EDIT, IMAGE, LAYER, SELECT, FILTER, ANALYSIS, 3D, VIEW, WINDOW, HELP (there are also icons after that but you dont need them for this)
If you are using another version of Photoshop there are just a few less of those links but they are not important for this tutorial.

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1. In order to make a PNG into layers you need to first go to IMAGE>MODE>RBG color
2. Use the marquee tool (the dotted line square icon) or the Lasso tool (its right below the marquee tool).
3. Go to EDIT then scroll down to CUT
4. Go to EDIT then scroll down to PASTE
5. Photoshop automatically places it on a new layer so you can move it from there using the MOVE tool(see Moving Layers tutorial below).
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Moving LAYERS:
1.When you first open Photoshop on your LEFT is your TOOLS and on your RIGHT is your tabed BOX TOOLS(I dont remember the official name but they look like boxes) Like SWATCHES,HISTORY, and LAYERS.

2. The 3 most important boxes you should have are SWATCHES, HISTORY, and LAYERS.
If you do NOT have ANY of them go to (your top links) WINDOW and scroll down and CLICK SWATCHES, HISTORY, and LAYERS (they will get a CHECK MARK beside them). You can click and move the TABS to how ever you want.

3. After you have CUT and PASTED, your item you pasted will be in the center. use the MOVE TOOL (next to the MARQUEE Tool) ad click and drag your item where you want it.

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Switching LAYERS:

Lets say you want a layer BEHIND another layer:

1. CUT and PASTE
2. use the MOVE Tool
3. go to your LAYER box (your layers will be named LAYER 1, LAYER 2, ect..)
4. CLICK and HOLD the LAYER you want to move (it is now GRABBED)
5. DRAG the layer ABOVE or BELOW in the LAYER to switch the order.


*SAVE your file as SAVE AS so you do NOT save over the original file!!

I second this biggrin

Layer's Tutorial for Paint Shop Pro X3 (will work for most versions)

Sadly, PSPx3 doesn't use the PSD files correctly, so if you open the saved PSD file, it will have a black background, and for most of the outfits, it won't work. So we need to fix that.
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Getting a Transparent Background:

1) Print Screen on the PM you got your doll in, then paste into PSPx3 (Ctrl+Shift+V).

2. Crop the image. Use the crop tool (4th Icon on the Tool bar). Cut off anything that doesn't have anything to do with the doll (or clothes).

3. Now we want to get rid of the white background. Use your magic wand to select all white that has nothing to do with the doll or clothes and then press Ctrl+X to cut it away. Your image should now have a transparent background.
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Putting the Doll on a separate layer:

1. Use the Selection Tool set for Rectangle and drag it around the doll. You've now got a square box of marching ants around the doll.

2. You can either click again on the doll to make her float or go to Selection, and click on Float (Ctrl+F). On the Layer Tool Box, you will see Background and Floating Layer.

3. Now select the Background Layer. Next click on New Layer.

4. Selecions, Deselect.

Voila! Done
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Remember to ALWAYS have your Layers, Palettes, and Tools open.

Switching layers is as easy as clicking on the Layer you want. Use the Eye icon to hide layers that you don't need so they don't distract you.

I can't say this enough. Save, save, save often. You never know what will happen while you are working. Auto Save might be annoying, but trust me.. it's saved my bacon more than once (try a dozen).

Never save over your original copies.

Name your layers. It's easy. Right click the layer, and select Rename and type in a name.