Pixlr Lesson: Compositing Images

Choose any theme you wish for your composition. The idea behind this example is a postcard for a Superbowl Party. Also, your layout does not have to be identical, but I am looking for you to use the features somewhere in your design.

Start by saving 2-3 pictures on your hard drive. In the example, there are two football players and a football field as the background.

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1. Choose FILE/New. Size about 800 x 600 pixels.
   It's best to have a big canvas to work with, and then scale it down later.
2. Fill the background with a desired image.
   Most likely, you'll need to open the image (FILE/Open).
   Then EDIT/Select All.
   Then Copy. Then Paste into your original file.
3. To change the size of your background image, choose EDIT/Free Transform. Then hold down Shift key as you resize it.
4. IMPORTANT: Before you go further, save your file as Pixlr PXD format to see if there are any issues with Flash and your operating system.
5. To get the white semi-circle at the bottom, make a new layer.
6. Then use the Marquee tool to do the following:
   • Choose Elliptical Marque
   • Set feathering to 40px or so.
   • Draw something like the semi-circle shown in the examples below.
   • Then use Paint Bucket to fill with desired color.
   • Go to the Layers Panel; choose Toggle Layer setting, and reduce the opacity
7. Type a few text items on the semi-circle. Experiment with size, Font, and other options.
8. Open your first picture. Then EDIT/Select All. Copy and Paste it into your file.
9. For the two football players, I used the the Lasso tool to draw an irregular shape around each picture.
   TIP: Do not trim too close to the edge of the image in order to avoid boxy appearance.
   • Choose the Lasso Tool
   • Choose a small feathering amount such at 10.
   • Drag around image to select it.
   • Choose EDIT/Invert.
   • Press [DELETE]. It is a good idea to hit [DELETE] again to make the picture blend better.
   • Choose EDIT/Deselect.
10. Repeat steps 8-9 for additional pictures, making sure that you have at least two for your composition.
11. Make a semi-transparent shape that is similar to the one at the top of the composition. I'm just looking for the same kind of complexity and not trying to dictate exactly how you design.
    Here's how to do something like it:
    
    • To make the rectangle, use the Drawing tool. Draw the shape
    • Fill with a different color with the Paint Bucket tool.
    • From the Layer palette, lower the opacity as desired.
    • Then type the text such as "The Party", which appears on a separate layer.
12. If you wish to rotate any of your words such as "The Party", you must first rasterize. (LAYER/Rasterize). Then click EDIT/Free transform.
13. Save in the native format as PXD Layered Pixlr. Then save again as .JPG.