*Element
ELEMENT: Creating a Staple
By Zee Helmick 2006
Mar 3, 2006, 01:05

This tutorial will show you how to create a staple in Paint Shop Pro 9.0 without the use of any plug-in filters.

1.  Begin by creating a new file, 1” tall by 1” wide, 300 dpi, with a transparent background.

2.  Activate the Rectangle Tool (keyboard shortcut:  G).

3.  On the Materials palette, click once on the background color.

4.  The Material Properties window will appear.  Choose the following settings:  Metal steel, Angle = 0, Repeats = 0, Linear style.  Click OK.

5.  Enter a value of 20.00 in both the horizontal and vertical radius fields (these values will vary depending on how rounded you want the staple’s ends to be).

6.  Draw a rectangle across your layout.  Note that the ends of the rectangle are rounded.

7.  Convert the vector layer to a raster layer (right click on the vector layer containing the staple and select Convert to Raster Layer.)

8.  Apply an inner bevel to the staple with the following settings and click OK:

9.  Be sure to save your staple as a .png file to retain the transparency.

10.  When using your staple, remember to add a soft drop shadow as well as “holes” behind the staples.