*Element
PROGRAM BASIC: Colors & Patterns for Backgrounds
By Sandy Drieschner
Mar 6, 2005, 13:56

Submitted by and © 2004 Sandy Drieschner

1.  Open a new image and choose your size.  File (top left of your screen)>new image>presets (8x10 vertical), resolution 300, pixels/inch, 16million colors, transparent color.

2.  Choose a background color or pattern for your page.  To chose a color pick any color in the color window and left click to fill your foreground box and right click to fill your fill/background box. Once your you choose your stroke and fill color then proceed to step 5. 

To choose a pattern in your materials window right click over the foreground/stroke properties and left click on other.

3.  Once you have chosen other this window will open.  I you want your background a solid color pick a color, or you can choose a premade pattern for your background.  This is what I will do.  Right click on Pattern, then choose your pattern. You can select from numerous different patterns and I am choosing woodgrain 03.  You can change the size and angle by adjusting the numbers. Once you have your pattern click ok.

4.   Think of your whole page as a bunch of layers, and all you have at the moment is the bottom layer.  Every thing you add will be another layer.  Your layers palette is the way to maneuver around your layers.  Always have it open, and become very familiar with it and the functions.  This is your layers palette and what it should look like at the moment.

5.  Now you want to fill your open image.  Your open image should look like a checkerboard and this means that the background layer is transparent. On your tool bar which looks like this, left click on what looks like a paint can.

6.  Drag your mouse over the open image and left click.  Your image should be completely filled with your chosen pattern. Like this:

Now you want to save your page.  File>save as>choose a name and a location to save your file.  Always save your original page as a .pspimage .  I talk in another tutorial about how to save for email and printing.Next you want to add your photos then text.