~*~ 3-D Santa Boot ~*~
This is what we will be creating.
The idea for this Tutorial came from a small Table Favor I got in Germany.
This tutorial was written with PSP 7.04.
It can be easily done in other versions of PSP.
If you have a problem, please let me know.
The Zip File includes a Template for the Boot saved in JPG format, ready to print
and decorate. I also included a PSP copy for those of you that prefer to decorate
it the easy way. The original vector drawing is also included so you can change
it's shape before finishing it if you so desire.
You may download the Zip- File here.
Open the PSP files in your PSP program.
We'll start with with the vector drawing and go through the steps to finish it.
If you don't like working with Vectors, you are welcome to use the PSP file
that contains the line drawing of the boot.
Just skip over the first part of this tutorial and join us to color in and finish.
The vector drawing of the boot looks like this.
I found it's more accurate to do one half of it and copy,
paste and flip it when you are done.
You probably want to use different colors so- let's start to change them.
On your tool options palette choose Object Selector. It's all the way on the bottom.
Double click on any one of the boot pieces and you will get this pop- up.
That is the Vector Properties Box. It has all of the vector information for that
part that can be changed. You can change the color of the stroke, fill and the
line width. Since we do not have an outline on the pieces we have to create it.
In the "Styles" box, that I have outlined in red, click on the little arrow that
is outlined in red as well.
This will bring up the fly- out that will allow you to choose
your color, pattern or gradient. Since we are doing the outline, we will choose
a color (the little brush icon).I am choosig color #000000- black.
As soon as you click on a color the stroke width box that was greyed out,
will appear. You can set the line width on that.
Repeat the same steps on the "Fill" box, but choose null.
Repeat on all of the separate pieces of the boot.
The end result will be only lines and no fill.
As you can see the lines are overlapping. Click on the "+" key a couple of times
to zoom in so you can see better.
Make sure that you are in Object Selector mode
and click on one of the lines. You will see the nodes for that part.
All you need to do is move the individual nodes so the lines
are right on top of each other. If you want to move one of the boxes
a little, just hold down the "Shift" key and use your arrows on your keyboard.
to move the entire shape to the left, right, top or bottom.
That looks much better doesn't it!
If you are happy with the way that looks, just go to your layer palette
and put your cursor on it to open it. Right- click on the vector layer
and choose "Convert to Raster Layer". Now you have two layers.
The one on the bottom that is empty and the layer you just converted
with half of the boot on it.
Right- click the same layer once more, and on the pop- up choose "Duplicate".
Go to "Image" "Flip".
This will make the second half visible. On your Tool Options
Palette click on your Mover Tool and line up the two halves of the boot.
It might be easier to do if you zoom in a couple of times.
Now you can click on "Layers" and merge your layers visible.
If you merge visible, your transparent background will be preseved.
When merging flat, the background turns white.
The only thing left to do is to erase the line down the center of the bottom
that was created when we put the two halves together.
Be careful not to erase any of the lines between the pieces
or we will not be able to fill the areas properly.
~*~ Coloring your Boot ~*~
This is where you can get creative.
You can color in the pieces with plain color, patterns or gradients.
The graphic is sized so it will print on a sheet of paper.
It is necessary to print it on card stock or glue it to card stock
so it will stand on it's own after being assembled.
If you prefer, you can print it as is and it will be a great project
for kids to color and glue together.
First- let me point out where it will need to be folded and which lines
need to be cut. The sections with the X in them, will not be visible,
as you will use them to glue the boot together.
To color in the sections with a fill or gradient, just use your Magic Wand
to select the part you want to work on. After selecting it go to Selections >
Modify > Expand by 1. Floodfill and go on to the next part and repeat.
And this is what it looks like with the appropriate sections left blank.
A word of caution. The sole of the boot does not need to be colored in.
Brittnay, my grand daughter who assembled the boots, had black hands when she
was finished, as I had printed the soles with black ink.
Before going on, add another layer. Now you can add tubes or paint on it with
the airbrush, paint brush or drawing tool. Just make sure to do it on new layers.
It's much easier to delete a layer than to undo 30 steps.
Also, I find it easier to decorate one half and duplicate that layer.
Just flip it and move it into place.
Remember- when doing text, you will NOT be able to flip it! It needs to be rotated.
This is what mine looks like.
You can now print it on your Computer Printer.
I prefer to use Card Stock.
~*~ Assembly ~*~
I would like to thank Brittnay, my favorite oldest Grand daughter,
for taking time out of her busy schedule to be my model and assemble the boot.
You will need-
A sharp pair of Scissors
Craft glue
Tapestry Needle
Small Cotton Balls
Yarn for tying
To start the assembly cut around the outside of the boot.
Using the Tapestry Needle pierce the stock where you are going to put your laces.
Cut along the sides of the front and back pieces on the sole and score
all of the foldlines and bend to shape.
The lines to cut are marked on the first picture in the "Coloring your Boot" section.
Using a Craft Adhesive glue the tabs together.
Lace up your boot with the yarn. I used worsted weight 4- ply yarn
and a size 18 Tapestry Needle.
If you want you can glue cotton balls around the top.
And- here is Brittnay proudly displaying her finished Santa's Boot.
I hope that you were able to follow this tutorial.
If you have any questions, please
e- mail me
*~* *~* *~* *~* *~*
My Tutorials
My Santa Page
*~* *~* *~* *~* *~*
This tutorial © madebychar, 2001/ 2002. All rights reserved.
This tutorial may not be sent by e- mail. You may link to it by a TEXT link only.
You may copy for personal instruction but it may not be published in print
or on the web without prior written permission from madebychar.
Sites with pornography or pornographic links may NOT link to my tutorials!
Any screenshots in this tutorial are copyrighted to the respective companies
that created the programs depicted in said screenshots.
11/22/2002
Merry Christmas!