Here are some basic steps for making torn cardboard for your scrapbook pages. Bear in mind that this is just one way to do it. Your finished image can be entirely different, depending on what parts you decide to erase.

This tutorial assumes you have a good working knowledge of PI, the location of the tools and their functions.

You can download this .bmp image to use or use one similar of your own choosing.

R/C and save to your HDD, then open in PI.

Using the selection tool, make a 500x500 selection and drag to it's own canvas.

Use the Path tool to draw a 2D square or rectangle to cover the image. I used RGB 217,187,155 for the color.

R/C the rectangle and choose Properties. In the drop-down Merge box, choose Overlay. Click OK.

Your image should look like this:

Draw another rectangle, same color; R/C, choose Properties. Using the drop-down slider for Transparency, watch your image as you use a transparency of 2-5, depending on your image, so that your image is similar to this:

Duplicate the top rectangle and send to the back. You should now have 3 stacked on top of each other.

Use the Layer manager, if necessary, and center each one.

Now comes the fun part. Use the Eraser tool and begin erasing parts of the top rectangle. I erased on the bottom, but you can erase any part you like.

Using the Layer Manager, choose the middle corrugated piece and erase to give it a jagged edge.

For the final step, erase parts of the bottom piece:

There's your torn cardboard:

For an added touch, use the Dodge tool, strength 30, to put a lighter edge on the top piece; then the Burn tool, strength 20, size 8-10 to darken along the top of the lightened area.

Any questions or problems, e-mail me here.

Paradigm PI Graphics

Tutorials