(PSP 8 only)
Tuts index
Open the tube you will use as a décoration.
Use 'CTRL+D' to duplicate it (never work on an original :) )
Use 'CTRL+C' and 'CTRL+L' to copy the image and paste it as a new layer.
I used two different colors of the same flower to show the difference, but once you get the trick, you can use either the same tube or a completely different one, the aim of the tut is to learn how to overlay seamlessly the tube that will be cut in two.
Select one of the pictures and mirror it (menu Image then Mirror)
Now we resize the canvas to have space to add shadows
Go to Image, Canvas Size.
Add between 20 and 40 pixels to both width and height (to your liking).
N.B.: For esthetic reasons, you can decide to increase the height more to fit the two patterns. It depends on the patterns you choose and on your liking. I didn't do it here because it is not the aim of the tut and it doesn't matter for the remainder. But, if you have to do it, now is the time ;)
Don't forget to set the placement to center. (Follow the red arrow :) )
Now go to Effects, '3D Effects', 'Drop Shadow' for each layer.
Verify that 'Shadow on new layer' is not checked (red arrow again :) )
It's better to add the shadow before shifting the image, because as PSP blurs the borders, the seamless effect will have a hole in the shadow at the junction.
As always, the picture is an example, you can use the values you want for your own picture. Just be careful that the shadow doesn't overflow from the image. If so, just enlarge the canvas again to fit before adding the shadow.
Now we will do the offset. Go to 'Effects','Image effects','Offset'.
(I didn't find the equivalent effect in PSP7, so If you know where it is in PSP7, please tell me so I can add it here.)
Change the value of the vertical offset to half the height of the canvas.
The vertical offset shown on the picture is what fits for my tube, try your own values and activate both preview boxes to see the effect directly.
Once you like the offset, resize the canvas, don't change the height value and set the width to 1024 pixel and the placement to the middle left.
You get something like this :
You can shift horizontaly one of the two patterns as shown on the image to improve the overall look.
Nothing compulsory, of course.
Select the layer on which you did the vertical offset and hide the other one.
Use the selection tool, with the 'Rectangle' selection type.
Select one of the parts of your picture.
Use 'CTRL+X' (or go to menu 'Edit','Cut').
Add a new layer.
Go to 'Edit','Paste','Paste into selection'.
You now have the cut part at the same position, but in a new layer (yes, it's magic :) )
All this tut is based on this : 'paste into selection' allow you to create a seamless without having to move the parts to fit each junction.
(Thanks to Phoebe from PixelMenagerie who taught me that in her tut 'layered tiles' ;) )
Now, we reorganize the layers order to have a better seamless effect. To obtain what I call a 'true seamless' (when you will not be able to see what the first part is -chicken and egg lol-), select the layer matching the upper cut part and put it on top.
Now you can add a new layer for the background. Work it as you like, the hard part is done :)
Here is the result :
Don't forget to have fun !