Object Reflections

Objective: Add a reflection to an existing image.

Tools Used: Move Tool, Picture Tube Tool, Raster Deform Tool

Palettes Used: Materials Palette, Layers Palette, Tools Option Palette, Tools Toolbar

Effects Used: Geometric Effects, Spherize, Mirror Image, Drop Shadow

This tutorial is an add-on to our Colored Orb lesson. We felt that this was the best way to show how to produce a reflection image on an object and preferred this over showing how to reflect text (for the moment). A simple method of creating object reflections with ease, this tutorial is directed towards beginners, but may also benefit other various levels of Paint Shop Pro users.

Paint Shop Pro provides the ability to view an object as a reflection of sorts with the use of the Image > Mirror and Image > Flip commands. These commands are found under the Image tab on the top toolbar navigation. These allow for some pretty interesting visual effects. The use of 'mirror' images can be quite amazing, and may be enhanced through the combination of rotations and mirrors of an image.

Paint Shop Pro has made it quite easy for you to rotate an image to different degrees or reflect an image either horizontally or vertically. For a better example of what we mean by this, let's get started with learning to create a reflection on an image.

Step 4

We will begin this tutorial as Step 4 from the Colored Orb you created in our previous tutorial. However, you can use any image you choose.

On your Layers palette, turn off the visibility for your background layer (there should be a red "X" on the eyeball):

Layers > Merge > Merge Visible

I created my orb rather large from the original Colored Orb tutorial, so to make room for my object, I'm going to use the Move Tool (M) and move my orb towards the top edge:

Step 5

Layers > New Raster Layer... > Ok

Select an image that you would like to include with your image. For the purpose of this tutorial, I'm using the Picture Tube Tool (I) and selecting a yellow rose from my picture tube collection. I don't remember where I got this particular tube or whether or not I made it myself, so I can't offer it as a download at this time.

Place the image next to the orb. Remember that you can use the Move Tool (M) to place it exactly where you would like it :

Layers > Duplicate

On your Layers palette, turn off the visibility for the top layer ( Copy of Raster 1 ) and highlight the second layer. This is the one that we're going to use for our reflection:

Using the Move Tool (M), offset the image on top of the orb:

Because the orb itself appears rounded, we need to make the object's reflection rounded as well. This takes a bit of image manipulation but the effects can be outstanding. The idea here to slightly deform and spherize the reflection.

Effects > Geometric Effects > Spherize... Strength: 100 > Ok

Repeat this step one more time.

Your image should look similar to this:

Using the Raster Deform Tool (D) resize/shape the image a bit smaller than the original, remember it's a reflection. It does not have to be perfect.

On your Layers palette, turn ON the visibility for the top layer ( Copy of Raster 1 ). Make sure that the second layer remains highlighted.

Step 6

Image > Mirror

On your Layers palette, reduce the Opacity to the desired strength:

Layers > Merge > Merge Visible

Go to Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow... > and use the following settings:

Step 7

Turn on your Background visibility and wallah! Seems simple enough. It can be a bit confusing sometimes especially when your dealing with multiple objects that can produce a reflection.