[Peggy S]

Thanks to SG tutorials, I have imported plug-ins that let me use SG textures. I can use brushes in many ways with DIP, and make my own stamps. But I would love to use some of the tools, like making my text look like it is gold metal. Can we use them at all, or are they exclusively for PS & PSE? I may get one of those someday, but I like DIP and can do lots with it, and finances just won't allow a new program now. Anyone know?

[Ro]

I"m sorry, but these tools just work for PS and PSE. The background "workings" of the various software programs don't allow tools such as these to swap out. That's why we have a separate line of things for PSP being developed. We don't develop things for DIP specifically because customer surveys have shown that there simply aren't that many people using it, professional designers don't use it in their desing work which makes it unlikely that you would have someone creating things for the software.

This is one of those moments where "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." The more users and designers there are using a particular kind of software, the more likely you will find things that go with that software.

You might want to look around on the web. You can get some awesome deals on Photoshop Elements 4.0 right now. I wish I could be more encouraging. I always want to make everyone happy....

[Minniewannabe]

Peggy S

I'm a DIP diehard too. I believe I stick with it mainly because of familiarity, but so far, I've been able to do everything I need. To make your gold letters, try this:

1. Insert your text. Only one line at a time can be done.
2. Apply a "bas metal" filter. Use the advanced options to change the lighting to top, the foreground color to very light orange, and the background color very dark orange.
3. Apply a "paint daubs" filter.
4. Make a duplicate of your type.
5. On this duplicate, which is now a top layer of your type, change the color to a golden yellow.
6. Change the edges to soft, about 10 to 20 should do.
7. Offset this top layer just a tad to the upper left, but not all the way to the edge of the bottom layer.
8. Lock the two layers together.
9. Apply a dark orange bottom right drop shadow with 0 transparency and 0 edge softness. This shadow should be very close to the type.
10. Apply a golden yellow drop shadow to the upper left. This shadow should be at 0 transparency, but about 50% edge softness to give the shiny glow of metal.

You can experiment with the different filters to get a more antique gold look. For example, try putting a traditional watercolor filter prior to the paint daubs filters.
Hope that helps.